11/6/14 2:37 PM

I am looking to replace gear and brake cable sets on my Campagnolo-equipped road bike. I am still using Campy downtube shifters so the only derailleur casing I need is for the short bend entering the rear derailleur.

Because I am not using Campagnolo Ergo, can I use Shimano/SRAM type cable sets, such as Jagwire? I know my current Campy brake cables are 5mm casings while the short section of gear casing is 4.5mm.

11/6/14 2:51 PM

It's not the housing that's the problem. Campy gear cables have a different, smaller diameter end fitting than Shimano and SRAM shifters and using a Shimano cable can cause the end to jam in your Campy lever.

Jagwire sells shift cables with a fitting on each end, one for Shimano (embossed "S" on the end) and the other for Campy (embossed "C"). You cut off the end you don't need.

Shimano and Campy brake cable ends are closer in size but not really interchangeable either.

11/6/14 2:52 PM

DP. Site problems I think

11/6/14 3:03 PM

Remember I am talking about downtube levers. If anything, shouldn't I be able to file the end button of the Shimano/SRAM cable so that it seats correctly in the downtube lever?

What about the casings themselves, any problem there. And the brake cable/casings shouldn't be a problem?

11/6/14 4:21 PM

I've used a deemed to make a shims I cable head smaller but that was back when it was hard to find Campy size ball ends. I'd just get the jagwire s and c version now. I also put a drop of grease in the socket where the head goes.

Dremel. Shimano. Damn phone.

11/6/14 5:09 PM

quote:

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If anything, shouldn't I be able to file the end button of the Shimano/SRAM cable so that it seats correctly in the downtube lever?

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11/6/14 6:17 PM

Yes, the housings are the same for both brands. And yes, it's possible to file down the buttons on Shimano cables to fit Campy shifters but with the easy availability of the double ended ones, it makes little sense to bother.

11/7/14 6:46 AM

...but it's been a while since I've used a shift cable that didn't have a choice of Campy or SRAM/Shimano ends.

There's another option for DT levers; find a drill bit the same size as a SRAM/Shimano cable end and enlarge the holes in the levers. I would do this by hand using a pin vise or tap wrench to hold the bit, though you could do it carefully using a variable speed drill set in the low speed (screw driving) range. Once that's done, you can use any cable you like.

11/7/14 2:43 PM

Any reason that shouldn't work just as well in an Ergo shifter? You'd want to take off the hood and have a vacuum sucking down any shavings, but I can't think of any inherent reason it wouldn't work just as well in an Ergo and in a DT shifter...

11/7/14 4:17 PM

Why do it with the ratchet wheel in the shifter? Its easy enough to disassemble.

11/8/14 8:52 AM

...is with the wall thickness of the parts involved. A downtube lever has a lot of meat around the cable hole, but that's not the case with Ergo shifter ratchet wheels. The brake cable cylinder seems to have plenty of extra thickness.

Measuring some cable ends, Campy are ~4mm and Shimano are ~4.4mm, so there is a significant, if not huge difference. Also, considering that the bottom of the shift cable hole needs to be flat, drilling it out may not be the best idea afterall. A milling cutter would be a better tool, but I don't have one in the correct size (4.5mm). There is no corresponding English mill size, but a #16 drill bit is the same size and a #17 might work.

11/8/14 12:21 PM

hold the cable in your fingertips and roll the end against the grinding-wheel back and forth to turn it down. i do this for both shifter-ends and brake-ends that do not agree dimensionally w/ my ergo shifters.