8 speed era Campagnolo wheels

[oliver1850]

I'm going to look at a bike tomorrow that has 16 spoke Campagnolo wheels from the 8 speed era, guessing around 1995. Bike has a full Campagnolo group. I have some idea of the value of the components but not the wheels. I'm considering splitting the bike up with a friend who's interested in the frame and fork. I can probably come up with the model of the wheels when I get home and check the catalogs but I don't think there were more than two models of 16 spoke wheels at the time. Bike looks pristine and I'm expecting the same of the wheels. What are they worth?

[Spaghetti Legs]

I have a set of the Ventos and I think the top level were Shamal? $200-250 is probably an average value for these wheels although they are cool and some would pay more, just like any of this older stuff. They’re good wheels, better than I expected when I got mine a few years ago, but can dent pretty easily, so look for that.

[oliver1850]

Thanks. After looking at the catalogs I came to the conclusion that they are Ventos - based on the decal color. Zondas were 16 spoke but had a blue decal. Shamals and the carbon Boras had 12 spokes. I have a pair of 9 speed Shamals on a Merckx MXL and the Ventos would be great on my other one if I ever get around to painting it.

[DWF]

The 1996 Campagnolo Catalog at Retrobike shows the Ventos and Zondas both having 16 spokes F/R. One big difference is the HPW hubs using straight pull bladed spokes on the Ventos, while the Zondas used standard hubs with j-bend spokes.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...lo+Catalog.pdf

I had the same identification issue when I acquired my 1996 Bianchi pictured here with Ventos without decals. I believe there are some Shamals from the 1998 model year that have 16 rear spokes on HPW hubs, but those are shown only available in the 9-speed hubs. So if it’s 16 bladed straight pull spokes and on HPW 8 speed hubs front and rear, it’s most likely a set of Ventos!

[shoota]

Check the rim spoke holes extra well, I've seen several of this era cracked.

[fignon's barber]

Originally Posted by shoota

Check the rim spoke holes extra well, I've seen several of this era cracked.

This. I was going to mention that as well.

[Catnap]

Originally Posted by shoota

Check the rim spoke holes extra well, I've seen several of this era cracked.

+1 on Shoota's advice. Shamal / Ventos of this era often develop hairline cracks at the spoke holes.

They can also be converted to 9 / 10 / 11 speed with the right freehub. I've done it twice, converted a Shamal HP12 set and later a Vento set.

The brifters can also be converted to 9 speed by changing out the ratchet inside the right-hand lever.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by shoota

Check the rim spoke holes extra well, I've seen several of this era cracked.

Which spoke holes cracked, the inner spoke holes or the outer spoke holes?

The rims on these wheels have an internal spoke bed that the nipples seat on - the spoke holes on the inner rim diameter is just a through hole for the spoke to pass through.

[zap]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Shamals and the carbon Boras had 12 spokes.

Original Shamal's had 16 spokes.........Shamal SL's on my wife's bike.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Catnap

+1 on Shoota's advice. Shamal / Ventos of this era often develop hairline cracks at the spoke holes.

They can also be converted to 9 / 10 / 11 speed with the right freehub. I've done it twice, converted a Shamal HP12 set and later a Vento set.

The brifters can also be converted to 9 speed by changing out the ratchet inside the right-hand lever.

Depends on the lever. Some late 1996 and 1997 before they went to the rounded top lever in 1998. Not the 1995 and older..different flats and center section of shift disc with 8s compared to 9s. ...That lever, 9s, could be converted to 10s but needed almost all the guts...1999, first year of ERGO Brain, easy to convert to 10s...