How to Convert Shimano to Campy

Road cyclists often debate the merits of the two largest component makers, Shimano and Campgnolo. Campagnolo, also referred to as "Campy," is an Italian bicycle parts maker and is steeped in the long tradition of road cycling. When switching over from Shimano to Campy, you will strip the bike's Shimano components and then replace with the Italian pieces. Count on the project taking between four to eight hours.

Things You'll Need

  • Bike stand
  • Allen keys
  • Pedal wrench
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Headset cup
  • Crank wrench
  • Bearing tool
  • Chain breaker
  • Chain whip
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Bike grease
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Instructions

  1. Remove the Shimano Components

    • 1

      Place the road bike into the bike work stand. Start from the back of the bike and use the Allen key (7mm) to remove the rear derailleur form the frame tag. Release the quick release on the rear wheel by turning it to the left. Unhook the brake calipers by turning the brake lock to the left and then remove the wheel. Place the chain whip over the rear tire cassette and turn to the left to unscrew the cassette housing. Remove the cassette from the wheel.

    • 2

      Remove the threaded brake and derailleur cables by removing them from the frame housings and guides. Remove the back brake with the 5mm Allen key. Move to the cranks. Use the pedal wrench to remove the pedals. The pedal wrench needs to be turned to the right to remove the pedals due to the nature of the moving parts.

    • 3

      Insert the crank wrench into the crank recessed hole, found in the center of the cranks. Turn the crank wrench to the right to loosen. Unscrew and remove the cranks. Insert the bearing tool onto the bearing spool end and pull the bearing out. Remove the chain from the crank and bike.

    • 4

      Remove the front brake with the 5mm Allen key and the front derailleur with the 7mm Allen key. Remove the cables to both brake and derailleur by unthreading it form the frame cable guides.

    • 5

      Loosen the shifters and brake units on the handlebars with the Phillips head screwdriver. Loosen until you can slide the shifter/brake combo off the handlebars. Place the wrench over the headset and turn to the left to crack open the sealed housing. Pop the head set off.

    Adding the Campy

    • 6

      Press the bearing cup into the top tube of the frame, where you removed the Shimano headset. Press the top of the headset onto the bearing cup and then press down using the headset press. Slide the Campy shifter/brake combos onto the handlebars. Take care that you place the cog shifter on the left-hand side and the cassette shifter on the right-hand side.

    • 7

      Run the shifter and brake cables through the Campy shifter/brake combo. Attach the cables with the fids, small lead-colored metal tips that fit into the housings in the shifter/brake units. Run the cables through the frame guides. Attach the brakes to the frame using the 5mm Allen key. Turn the Allen screws to the right to tighten the brakes to the frame. Attach the brake cables to the brakes with the metal fids at the end of the Campy brake cables.

    • 8

      Attach the front and rear derailleurs to the frame. Attach the rear to the tab hanging off the rear triangle where you removed the Shimano. Attach the front derailleur in the same place the Shimano came from. Attach the cables to the derailleurs with the Phillips head screwdriver. Set the cable wires into the set screws on the derailleur and tighten by turning to the right.

    • 9

      Screw the Campy cassette onto the rear wheel cassette attachment housing. Hand tighten and then attach the Cassette whip to turn with mechanical advantage tighten as far as you can.

    • 10

      Slide the rear wheel into the frame and attach the quick release by turning it to the right. Use the chain cracker to open the Campy chain at one link. Spread the open chain over the small crank and the lowest gear on the cassette. Place the chain cracker/tool over the broken link and reset the link pin, closing the chain around the cranks and drive-train. Close the brake by turning the brake lock to the right. Run through the gears and adjust the shifters at the barrel adjuster on the shifter, a small, black, round piece, one quarter turn to the left until your gears shift smooth.