Mixing Campagnolo and Shimano Drivetrain

Mixing 10 speed Campagnolo and Shimano Drivetrain started with the wheel upgrade from heavyweight bombproof Campagnolo Khamsin CX. I got a good bargain in a pair of Pro-lite Bracciano but it came with a Shimano freehub. The deal was too good to pass up and I had a spare 12-28T cassette anyway so on it went to the Tifosi CK1 with Campagnolo Veloce groupset.

It shifts beautifully without much adjustment. And 6 months later, here I am researching and experimenting, taking it a step further and mixing it up at the front as well. I decided to leave the chainset on the CK1 frame and use a spare Shimano 105 instead. 

Advantages of Mixing Groupset 

A combination of weight, cost and ergonomics (a.k.a. personal preference). Generally Campag has lighter and serviceable shifters whereas Shimano has more readily available and lighter mechs, e.g. 190g 6700 Ultegra rear mech.

SRAM double tap however is very appealing especially the impressive low weight (280g Red STI vs 378g Dura Ace and 445g Ultegra and 160g RD). But it doesn't mix with Campag-Shimano and does cost a lot of money for another 80g saving.

Weighing It All Up

Campagnolo Record 10 speed shifters pair 324g (claimed) 336g (measured)

Campagnolo Chorus 10 speed RD 203g (measured)
Shimano 11-28T cassette 235g (measured)
Shimano 105-5750 Custom 46-34T Chainset 718g (measured)
Shiamno CX70 Top Pull 34.9mm Band-on FD 105g (measured)
KMC X10-EL chain cut to 101 link (244g measured)  

Legendary Record Shifter

I have read many reviews singing praises of this carbon titanium shifters but while it is an upgrade in every way to the Veloce, it did not blow me away. Yes shifting is precise and downshift is more accessible from the drop but Shimano buttery smoothness it is not. 

Braking with Campag levers is more assuring and the short hood means I am not stretched too far out front. This older generation hood has less pronounced upward pointy horn and is also straight rather then curving inwards. As well as being shorter the hood is also thinner and great to hold without gloves. What is nice is the flatter hood and not the big curvy dip of the new ergo design. 

Campag Shifter - Shimano CX70 Front 

Not only is the crank now Shimano 105-5750 customised with 46T outer chainring, I had also upgraded the front derailleur to a CX70 top pull with a Record 10 speed QS shifters. And it shifts as quick and as smooth as I have ever experienced with lighter touch. Downshift with this combination is particularly notable and amazingly seamless.

Campagnolo Chorus - Shimano Ultegra Rear 

Paired with a 10 speed Chorus rear mech and Ultegra 6700 11-28T cassette, linked with KMC X10EL chain, the whole drivetrain is quiet and the downshift especially feels less clunky. Record right shifter has the noteable "click" that feels precise.

Everything works as I hoped and I am very pleased with the result.