Campagnolo 8-speed hub to 10-speed conversion possible?

[saab2000]

I have a set of Campagnolo 8-speed wheels. The hubs are in perfect condition and are laced to a set of Ambrosio Nemesis rims. Fine wheels but not in use so much at the moment.

Can I convert the hub to accept a 10-speed freehub body? I use Campagnolo 10-speed for all my regular rides and would like to use these wheels if I can.

Thanks!

[Mark McM]

Technically, yes(*). Campagnolo made 9/10spd freehub bodies that would fit right onto the axle of most 8spd hubs - I've converted several of my own 8spd Campagnolo hubs. However, they have not made these freehubs for several years, so it may be difficult to locate one.

(*) There were a few 8spd hubs which had tight clearances between the derailleur and spokes, and 9 & 10spd cassettes move the derailleur closer still to the spokes, so these hubs may have some clearance issues. However, this can usually be solved by using a cassette with a larger bottom sprocket, which moves the derailleur cage down to a spot with more spoke clearance.

[bfd]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

Technically, yes(*). Campagnolo made 9/10spd freehub bodies that would fit right onto the axle of most 8spd hubs - I've converted several of my own 8spd Campagnolo hubs. However, they have not made these freehubs for several years, so it may be difficult to locate one.

(*) There were a few 8spd hubs which had tight clearances between the derailleur and spokes, and 9 & 10spd cassettes move the derailleur closer still to the spokes, so these hubs may have some clearance issues. However, this can usually be solved by using a cassette with a larger bottom sprocket, which moves the derailleur cage down to a spot with more spoke clearance.

At least for now, Campagnolo freehubs are still available. QBP list 3 types -

1. standard axle:
http://classic.aebike.com/product/ca...w9722-qc30.htm

2. oversized axle:
http://classic.aebike.com/product/ca...w9850-qc30.htm

3. oversized axle to convert to Shimano/Sram 8/9/10:
http://classic.aebike.com/product/ca...w9853-qc30.htm

Good Luck!

[Pegoready]

I don't think any of the parts you listed will work on an 8-speed hub.

Originally Posted by bfd

At least for now, Campagnolo freehubs are still available. QBP list 3 types -

1. standard axle:
http://classic.aebike.com/product/ca...w9722-qc30.htm

2. oversized axle:
http://classic.aebike.com/product/ca...w9850-qc30.htm

3. oversized axle to convert to Shimano/Sram 8/9/10:
http://classic.aebike.com/product/ca...w9853-qc30.htm

Good Luck!

[Mark McM]

Careful there -

The 2nd and 3rd freehubs you list are for oversized axle hubs - no Campagnolo 8spd hub used an oversized axle.

I'm pretty sure the 1st freehub won't work either, as it uses a different design for the pawl and seal than was used on the 8spd hubs.

[maunahaole]

I'll defer to the oldspud on this one, but IIRC there is a Mirage hub from one year that has a 9/10/11 style FHB that will mate to an 8spd hub. The key is finding one. If I am wrong on this, someone please steer me correctly.

[bfd]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

Careful there -

The 2nd and 3rd freehubs you list are for oversized axle hubs - no Campagnolo 8spd hub used an oversized axle.

I'm pretty sure the 1st freehub won't work either, as it uses a different design for the pawl and seal than was used on the 8spd hubs.

Agree, the oversized axle hubs definitely won't work on a Campy 8 spd hub. And looking at the description for the first one, it supposedly only fit the following:

"•Fits: Campagnolo Bullet, Scirocco, Vento and Khamsin wheels including CX variants, Fulcrum Red Wind and Racing 4, 5, 6 and 7 wheels, Campagnolo Mirage, Veloce and 2007/8 Centaur hubs"

Therefore, ebay may be your best and only bet. Good Luck!

[saab2000]

I guess we'll have to wait for the expertise of the Old Potato on this one.... It would appear he is one of the Zen masters on Campagnolo minutiae.

[zap]

You might want to contact Branford (sp?) Bikes as well. The shop used to have plenty of Campy small bits.

[oliver1850]

You need the freehub body off the next to last design Mirage hub (2004ish to 2006). It's the one with the same bell shaped shell as your 8 speed hub. The last generation Mirage hub (2007-2008) has a straight tapered shell, that FH body won't work.

Most Chorus/Record 8 hubs will require a custom spacer to make the Mirage FH body work. Several folks here are running 8 speed hubs with the Mirage FH body.

See this thread for a pic of the Mirage FH body that won't work, it's in wallyman's post.:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=106535

[cnighbor1]

buy new
You will have to redish them anyways

[Jaq]

Originally Posted by zap

You might want to contact Branford (sp?) Bikes as well. The shop used to have plenty of Campy small bits.

"Used to." They're great, great guys and recommend them highly for all kinds of info, but their collection of older parts (8-speed era) is pretty much non-existent. The only thing they've been able to supply parts for are the G-springs and carriers for 8-speed Ergopower shifters. Even the conversion part for turning 8-speed shifters into 9-speed shifters they no longer carry - and they were famous back in the day for quickly doing conversions.

As for converting the hub... my understanding (after an identical quest) was that it is possible, but that pretty much the only way to do it was to find a '90s era Athena hub (with the '90s-era bell shape) that carries a freehub with a modern 9/10/11 spline pattern.

The reason is that Campy really only made 1 year of Record and Chorus hubs with the modern 9/10/11 freehub pattern; 1998. In 1999, they went to the next generation of bigger hubs with bigger axles (and also changed the pawls & springs) . But they continued to make Athena 9/10/11 hubs with a modern-style spline pattern but bored for a narrower axle, and one that carried the 8-speed era pawls & springs.

So: find an Athena 9/10/11 hub (bell-shaped) on Ebay, pull off the freehub and it should be able to slip onto your Record, Chorus, or Athena 8-speed hub axle.

I'll defer to Mark's post above, as well as anyone who has more info; at the end of the day, I decided that it was just too much hassle to convert 8-speed hubs, especially as cups & cones are increasingly hard to find and - without the right tools - very difficult to remove & replace.

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by cnighbor1

buy new
You will have to redish them anyways

The wheels are probably not worth more than $150 at max. A new set of hubs (the hubs I want at least) are $600. Alchemy. I may as well try to use what I have and save a few hundred clams.

[ultraman6970]

Will be faster probably get a new hub (hubset), because it will be faster and cheaper than locate parts that are like 20 years old and if you find them will be used stuff, second reason is because those 8 speed hubs arent oversize, are good but are weak specially in the axles... and last reason is because i said so!

Good luck with your plan.

[saab2000]

Branford bike just got back to me and told me there's not really much possibility, at least not from their stock.

If anyone has any bright ideas, speak now or forever hold your piece!