Centaur compatibility with higher-tier groupsets

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Amazinmets87
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2018 10:38 pm

by Amazinmets87

Is 11-speed Centaur compatible with higher-tier 11-speed Campy components? I have a few Potenza shifters and was planning to build a couple of bikes with Potenza shifters and Centaur RDs.

Furthermore do Potenza shifters require a Potenza FD?

bm0p700f
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by bm0p700f

There is no compatability except with the front mech perhaps. The RD cannot be mixed and matched with heir tier kit for sure. The reason the centaur RD does not have the embrace mechanism so the RD geomtery is totally different to allow it to track the cassette properly. This means different cable pull. It was not done to annoy you. IT is engineering necessity to bring it in at price point.

by Weenie


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Amazinmets87
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2018 10:38 pm

by Amazinmets87

bm0p700f wrote:
Mon Oct 08, 2018 10:25 pm
There is no compatability except with the front mech perhaps. The RD cannot be mixed and matched with heir tier kit for sure. The reason the centaur RD does not have the embrace mechanism so the RD geomtery is totally different to allow it to track the cassette properly. This means different cable pull. It was not done to annoy you. IT is engineering necessity to bring it in at price point.
Disappointing but much appreciated information. So, can Potenza shifters be matched with Chorus RD?

AJS914
Posts: 5392
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

No.

Chorus, Record, and Super Record are all cross compatible. That said, people seem to make unauthorized combinations work but they never work 100%. Some people though are good with 98%. Some good info here:

http://www.velotech-cycling.ltd.uk/campagnolo_faq.shtml

Just sell your Potenza levers if you want all Centaur.

Amazinmets87
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2018 10:38 pm

by Amazinmets87

AJS914 wrote:
Tue Oct 09, 2018 12:02 am
No.

Chorus, Record, and Super Record are all cross compatible. That said, people seem to make unauthorized combinations work but they never work 100%. Some people though are good with 98%. Some good info here:

http://www.velotech-cycling.ltd.uk/campagnolo_faq.shtml

Just sell your Potenza levers if you want all Centaur.
Thank you so much! I'll probably sell Potenza and treat myself to Chorus

by Weenie


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bm0p700f
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by bm0p700f

Cable pull is shared between potenza and higher tier groups but the difference is in the spring tension in the rd. A stronger spring in chorus and higher education to correct the over shift from ultra shift.

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