Cycling UK Forum

Because of a change of frame (which doesn't have down tube bosses for gear levers) I will have to get some Ergopower levers that will work with a Campag Veloce rear mech - which is probably about 8-9 years old. The chainset is double.

Campag seem to have phased out 9 speed but I see for sale a Campag Mirage 9 speed set for £79.50 and also a Veloce 10 speed for £107. Would either of these work with the 9sp cassette? Or is there a better solution. I don't have a need to go to 10 or 11 speed unless I really have to. For example could I keep the rear mech and buy a 10 sp cassette and a 10 sp lever?

Thanks

Thank for all the advice. I will reluctantly have to throw out the frame as everyone suggests. For info I have taken out the headset, which came out relatively easily, see pic:


The crack goes right through the tube wall and I can feel it for about an inch up inside. There is some sort of internal indent/ridge in the tube which you can see in the photo - I assume it is a moulding/casting ridge rather than a separate tubing insert because I think the crack goes beyond it.

The most likely cause is, as someone said, that the headset was knocked in with too much force - which was either Bianchi or the supplier in Bedford - no longer in business I think. I have had the frame since new (at least 10 years) and it has had no crashes or falls; and the rest of the frame is perfect. It is probably out of guarantee - I will check if I can; but I won't get another Bianchi.

It has done some time trialling but should be strong enough for that. It must be one of the earlier aluminium mass produced frames (though it says hand-built). If I get another aluminium (I don't won't to spend more money for carbon) I hope it will be more reliable, or I might go back to steel. My touring bike is Mercian and that has been faultless and has done 15k or more miles.

Many thanks

I have a Bianchi aluminum road frame. It must be over 10 years old.

There is a crack at the top and the bottom of the head tube. See photos:




The bike is not ridden very much but the cracks seems to be getting worse - so it is more likely the frame rather than the paint cracking. The headset was put in by the supplier and maybe it is too tight or hit in it too hard?

My problem is:

Is the bike safe to ride? Might the frame break suddenly or just get slowly worse?

and

Is it repairable, given it is aluminium. [The rest of the frame is in perfect condition.]

Many thanks