Croce D'Aune.... Or is it?

[Robster914]

I've got a new project on the go, and I thought that for the added challenge that I would over time gather the bits for a Campagnolo Croce D'Aune build circa 1990-91.

The frame I have has 130mm rear between the drop-outs, so have been looking at 8 speed. It has been fun doing the research but it does seem to have raised more questions! Basically, it seems that a lot of bits that are CDA were ' recycled' as later Chorus group sets. Some bits were the same as C Record/Record. How can you tell the difference?

chainset: is CDA and Chorus (1993/94) vintage identical?

Bottom bracket: What is the BB length for either CDA or chorus as above?

Brakes: no probs! CDA Deltas have the springs external

Front hub: CDA & Later Chorus(1993look identical! Are they?

Rear Hub ( 8 Speed cassette): CDA/Record/Chorus(1993/4) look identical, are they?

Down tube gear levers 8 Speed: synchro 2, same across the group sets?

I just wondered if anyone has been down this road already so to speak! Sorry if this sounds a bit 'ahem' retentive, but at least Shimano marked most of their kit with part numbers (for info I like and am lucky to have bikes with both Campagnolo & Shimano).

Many thanks and sorry for my ramblings..

 

[matthew71]

Re:

if I remember correctly cda has it own chainset a little different to the chorus one,but the front mech,headset where the same. I think the record hubs had different dust covers on the end,s of the axle

 

[ScillySuffolk]

Second generation Chorus ('92-'94) did inherit CDA: the latter was discontinued when the former was introduced. If you spend long enough trawling the catalogues, you'll soon find the sweetspots where lower groups are upgraded with kit from higher groups: Chorus 2.0 is one of my favourites.

The only way to tell the difference between the cranks is the date code on the reverse and they both take a 111mm BB, like all C-Record era road doubles.

I've always steered clear of both Delta and Synchro: for the purists only.

Hubs I'm a bit hazy on, but it seems likely: do they have oil ports?

I'm pretty sure the derailleurs were handed down too. If you look top down at a 2nd gen. Chorus FD, you'll see that one side of the arm (where the cable clamps) looks like it's been filed down: I haven't seen this feature on other, lower/later groups' FD; however my CDA scans aren't good enough to confirm my theory.

The Chorus RD is, as far as I can tell, the same as the 2nd gen. CDA, but I expect you'll be after the "trademark" 1st gen. CDA.

 

[gavr]

Re:

CDA is seven speed, don't even think about mixing and matching eight speed, early 90s synchro RD setups with earlier Chorus, CDA or Record. For 8 speed it's either Record or Chorus from the correct generation or you will likely pull your hair out - really...

 

[glpinxit]

Have you found the Campagnolo catalogue archive here? - http://campyonly.com/history/catalogs.html
It includes 1991 that covers Cd'A and I used the site a lot when putting together a Chorus groupset to check as it is more comprehensive than Velobase.

 

[Robster914]

Re:

Thanks to all who took the time to respond with info, very much appreciated and very useful.

The warning to avoid mix & match of 7 & 8 speed will be heeded! Sounds like a nightmare for the unwary..

I have actually got my hands on a Concorde Gavina (Columbus SL) F&F that appears to be 1989/90 vintage in PDM colours. It is going to be a slow project this one as it needs a total refurb but will post up when it gets momentum.