Choosing low-end 9-speed Campagnolo group?
Xenon
Mirage
Veloce
I have bought a used Eddy Merckx ’MX Leader’ frame and I
am looking
forward to build my first road bike.
I am not to participate in racing. I will use it for exercise a couple
of times a week and for fun rides.
Is there any reason for me to look pass Xenon and to choose one of the
others instead?
Obviously not for chasing seconds but what about technical issues and
performance?
Any help would be most appreciated,
mike
--------------------------------------------------------------Hi Mike,
As Mike Jacoubowsky has explained, perhaps 10-sp components might be a
bit easier to get new? The 9-sp stuff is really not that far "outdated".
Either Veloce, or Mirage are both wonderful, durable groups, and as far
as finish quality, many of the parts are almost indistinguishable from
Chorus/Record Components, with the Exception that most of the newest
Record/Chorus utilize Carbon parts on thier Front/Rear Derailleurs (To
save weight).
I have a mixture of Veloce/Mirage 9-sp Components on a 2001 Bianchi
Campione (Veloce 39/53 Crank+Brake Calipers) and everything else Mirage
(13/26 cassette) and to be quite honest, and frank, this system on this
bike works just as well, shifts as cleanly, and works just as
nicely/smoothly as the full Record 10-sp Group I have on my Schwinn
Paramount 50th Anniversary.
Either can be built to shift horribly with cheap cables/housings, and
improper cable routing.
The choice is yours where you wish to purchase. Some, if not most of
the new 10-sp Record parts for my Paramount, I grabbed off of Ebay, and
saved quite a bit of money on the various components needed, versus
buying from retailers online.
Best prices I've seen on line from retailers for these parts are people
like Jensen, and Performance Bike.
The Mirage/Veloce Hubs naturally aren't as sophisticated as the Record
Hubs, but my Mirage Hubs are working quite well, and I have absolutely
no complaints in this area. (With any new hub, it's always wise to check
lube, and proper lash/play settings.
As far as Chain issues, I don't think a good 9-sp Wipperman Connex chain
would be much, if any weaker (or stonger) than a Wipperman 10-sp Chain,
do you Mike J? (I have these on both my bikes, and I'm very happy with
them)
Either system, or either chain, should hold up just fine with proper
care.
As far as 9-sp versus 10-sp, the choice ultimately must be yours to
make. Either 9sp, or 10sp, with lets say a 39/53 Crank, and a 13/26
(Short cage derailleur will work with the 13/26 ) cassette will offer a
very good range of gear selections for both the flats, and moderate
hills.
If your rear Dropout Spacing is 130mm, either 9, or 10 speed goups will
work fine. Mark D.