Ouch Sheldon, That hurt! Naw, just kidding my friend, you can slap me
around anytime! lol I've lurked here awhile, and I do know you're
one of the folks who would be giving straight up, right-on no BS
advice, Thank you!
Thinking about what you have said now makes perfect sense to me....
you are 100% right.
The only difference between a Paramount frame, and the newer frames of
today, is that on the Paramount the Rear Brake Cable guides are at
about the 11, or 12 oclock position on the top tube, versus most
modern frames having them at around 7 oclock, and like you say, I too
now agree, this should be no compatibility problem at all with the
Ergo Cable routing from the shifters to the brake calipers, either
front, or back.
I must have been 1/2 asleep when I first posted, as I couldn't at
first visualize the Ergos working with this older frameset. Please
forgive me.
Yes. Looks are important to me as well as function, but while we're on
the subject of function, what you mention about functionality trying
to find gears in desperation with an 8, 9, or 10 speed cassette makes
perfect sense also.
Thinking now about it, I do understand what you're telling me about
just how sensitive getting a very thin chain to track correctly on any
given cog on a 8, 9, or 10 speed cassette is. Trying to do this with
friction shifters I now clearly see would be an excersize in utter
futility. I'd have to remane the bike to "Cuss", because no doubt,
that would be all I'd be doing while riding.
Having Campy Ergos on my Bianchi, I can visualize exactly what you're
telling me. I have found that perfect adjustment with ergos doesn't
take much turning on the cable adjusters at all.
Thanks again Sheldon for enlightening me, and helping me come to my
senses!
Your advice has put me on the right path. Mark D.
Sheldon Brown <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:Mark said:Hi folks, Please forgive me on my lack of knowledge of this topic, I
have a question for you all.
I'm going to be building up an NOS Paramount frame, and have a strong
desire to build this bike with nothing but hopefully Record
Components.
I'm thinking that Campy Ergo Levers are going to look pretty stupid on
this bike,
So looks are more important than function to you?
Quoted message said:as the Paramount has Cable housing guides on the top tube.
Huh? That has nothing to do with the choice of Ergo. Most bikes have
such guides, and there's no compatibility issue at all.
Quoted message said:I'm thinking too there may be a cable routing problem with an Ergo
configuration on this type of frame.
Nope, that's your imagination.
Quoted message said:I would prefer to use a pair of Campy NOS Record Downtube shifters,
but am considering perhaps a modern Campy record hub/freewheel in 9,
or 10 speed cassette. Most likely a double chainring 39/53 in front.
My question is: "Will the old style Downtube shifters have a problem
operating through the full range of movement on a modern day Record
rear Derailleur utilizing a modern day 9, or 10 Speed Cassette?"
Maybe, but in any case friction shifting a 9- or 10-sprocket cassette
will likely be a maddening exercise, because the lever movement will be
so small. My very strong advice is to go with Erto.
Sheldon "Cogito Ergo Ergo" Brown
+-----------------------------------------+
| A ship in the harbor is safe, but |
| that is not what ships are built for. |
| --John A. Shedd |
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Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
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