A comprehensive guide to vintage gear ratios

This will differ from a standard wiki pages as it more aims at being an introspect into some of the research I've done and compiling what I've learned through said research.

I'm only a newborn in the realm of cycling and even more in the realm of (vintage) road bikes. I specify vintage road bikes because I've always been interested in the value second-hand objects can offer and I therefore began my cycling journey with a bike several decades older than me. The first issue I ran into when mixing practice and usage of the road bicycle was that the ratio available to me was absolutely abysmal. My first bike was a Raleigh Equipe with a 1x drive train, 52t in the front and a 7 speed corncob freewheel. I don't live in the Alps but I could figure out very quickly what was wrong. I've come a long way since then but I still am after the marginal ratio gains I can make when building up a vintage road bike while still using period correct components.

I am going to try here to offer some guidance on this quest. I will also touch on the advantages of mixing and matching components, era and fields of bicycle components.

The rules

The rules are fairly simple : when building a bike from a specific era, at the moment of manufacture of his bike, only a limited amount of components would've been available. As to keep the spirit of a vintage bike build, this is the contraint we are putting ourselves through to spark the search of marginal gains. Because, for me as a newcomer it wasn't so obvious, modern components blow old components out of the water if you want to make it easier to climb up anything. The standard chainring setup used to be 52-42, it's now more something like 50-34 and certain brands have been pushing for even smaller chainrings. Old components are a constraint of their own. And so we are going to be trying to optimise said old components in this page.

I will only be talking about 7, 8, 9 and 10 speed groupsets. It might seem odd but the parts for 6-speed are nowadays fairly hard to come by.

Disclaimer and almost hot-take : Triple chainring setups will, with no doubts but an aesthetic one or elitist one or gatekeepy one, void any issue or constraint posed in the preface.

Real disclaimer : I will assume a tyre size of 25mm for the gear development.

Playing by the rules

Campagnolo

Campagnolo was scarce about the information they give on compatibility or even on the specifications of their components. So information will be guessed off the parts available for the different groups.

Two things to note about Campagnolo is that they always used a 135 BCD standard over the more common 130 BCD. This went on until they went straight to 110 BCD and eventually a 4-branch based mixed BCD. The minimum chainring size for the 135 BCD is 39T (not very different from the 38T Shimano). Not only that but it's necessary to mention that Campagnolo has had a very "panache"-based line up of gear ratios, to not say they outright gatekept their components to "real" cyclists who didn't need small gear ratios for a very long time.

7 speed (1988-1992)

7 indexed speed Campagnolo is a convoluted mess as Campagnolo themselves suggested the use of different brands of freewheel and cassette. The 1987 Documentation of the 7-speed Record group says "The gear capacity, from 12 to 28, is the usual range for racing or fast touring" and a little later tells us the maximum cog size of the derailleur is 28T. So we will assume a minimum chainring size of 39T and a maximum cog size of 28T, making for a 1,39 gear ratio, or 2,94m of development.

8 speed (1990-1999)

8 speed started in 1990 as downtube shifters and was largely relics of the 7 speed era. Before the "brifters" 8 speed groupsets, information about this specific period is fairly hard to come by so I've done my best to compile it. According to disraeligears who quotes Sutherlands (6th edition), the maximum cog size was 26T, making for a 1,46 ratio or 3,17m.

For the 1992 model year, Campagnolo introduced the ErgoPower shifting and braking levers (supplied in reality by Miche, a detail that will be key later on) for its Record, Chorus RS and Athena RS groupsets. The gear range available remains unchanged, with Campagnolo only advertising up to 26T in the back and 39T in the front.

From 1993 onwards, Campagnolo redesigned the hood covers and this is the specific version of 8-speed components that you will likely see. The Athena (1993), Veloce (1993-1997), Mirage (1995-1998) and Avanti (1995-1999) derailleurs were advertised as supporting up to a 28T maximum cog size, making for a 1,39 ratio or 2,94m with the minimum 39T chainring.

Record and Chorus always advertised 26T max cog size for the time they were available, from 1992 to 1996.

9 speed (1997-2006)

In 1997, Campagnolo introduced its 9-speed Record and Chorus groupsets, they were still made by Miche and so they still featured the Ergopower Mk1 levers. The derailleurs were barely changed from the 8-speed generation and so the gear range available remained the same : up to 26T in the back and 39T in the front, making for a 1,5 ratio or 3,19m.

In 1998, Campagnolo released its remodeled 9-speed system, offering the Ergopower Mk2 levers and a new wheel hub. This broke compatibility with the previous generation of 9-speed components. In typical fashion, the high-end components keep their 1997 specifications; only Veloce (1998-2000) and Mirage (1999-2000) advertise a 28T maximum cog size, making for a 1,39 ratio or 2,94m.

In 2001 however, rear derailleur maximum cog size change for many lower grade groupsets : Daytona (2001), Veloce (2001-2003), Mirage (2001-2003), Centaur (2002), Xenon (2002-2003) advertised a maximum cog size of 29T, making for a 1,34 ratio or 2,84m.

Weirdly enough, 9-speed groupsets advertised a 28T maximum cog size from 2004 to the end in 2006.

10 speed (2001-2009)

Campagnolo introduced its 10-speed groupsets for the 2001 model year. It is definitely the more lenient generation of groupsets I've talked about so far. They introduced different lengths of cages for their top-of-the-line groupsets, namely Record and Chorus. While the short cage derailleurs cap out at a 26T cog size, the medium length derailleur caps out at 29T. This makes for a 1,34 ratio or 2,86m.

The "Compact crankset" appears finally for the 2005 model year for the Centaur, Chorus and Record groupsets; offering a 34T smallest chainring option, making for a 1,17 ratio or 2,48m.

In 2009, Campagnolo offers for their last model year the Ergopower Mk2 levers before only offering their Ultrashift. Compatibility may have remained nonetheless.

Table

Speed\Year	1988	→	1990	→	1992	1993	→	1997	1998	1999	→	2001	→	2005	2006	→	2009
7-speed	39/28	→	→	→	disc.
8-speed			39/26	→	→	39/28	→	→	→	disc.
9-speed								39/26	39/28	→	→	→	→	→	disc.
10-speed												39/29	→	34/29	→	→	disc.

Shimano

I'm going to add rules for Shimano because while Campagnolo was very strict about what could be considered at all, Shimano blurs the line with great compatibility, groupsets for all possible uses of a bicycle and never really discontinued generations of groupsets. Because of this, I'm going to always resort to the maximum amount of speeds a groupset offers and I'm going to stop at the moment the lowest grade of groupset "jumped" a generation.

For exemples : Dura-Ace 7402 was advertised as a 8, 7 and 6 speed compatible groupset, in this case it would be a 8-speed groupset to me and 2018 Claris took on the design of 2009 Dura-Ace without any number of speeds added, so I will stop the documentation in 2017, regardless of Claris still being 8-speed to this day in 2025. You will have to bear with me on this one.

And obviously I will strictly keep it to road bike groupsets, from Dura-Ace to Claris. And obviously I will rule out Di2.

7 speed (1987-1998)

Shimano introduced 7-speed components for its 1987 model year, with Dura-Ace (1987-1988) and, technically, Santé (1987) groupsets. With a 26T maximum cog size for Dura-Ace and the offered 39T chainring, this makes for a 1,46 ratio or 3,17m. The Santé rear derailleur had a maximum cog size of 24T.

In 1989, Shimano starting bringing 7-speed to the lower grades of groupsets. Santé (1989), 600 Ultegra (1989-1991), 105 SC (1989-1993), Sport LX (1989), RX100 (1990-1993), Exage 500EX (1990-1992), Exage 400EX (1990-1992), Exage 300EX (1990-1992), Exage 300EX (1995-1998) and RSX (1995-1998), all of which had their derailleurs advertise a 28T maximum cog size at their respective launch, making for a 1,39 ratio or 2,94m with the offered 39T chainring.

For two exceptions : 1) In 1994, RSX100's short-cage rear derailleur was upgraded to 8-speed but the long cage derailleur (RD-A550-GS) remained 7-speed, however it was advertised as a 30T maximum cog size, making for a 1.3 ratio and 2.77m and 2) while every groupset mentioned only ever offered a minimum 39T chainring, RSX (1995-1998) offered a 46/36 crankset with 110 BCD (FC-A410). This would make for a 1,28 ratio of 2,74m.

8 speed (1989-2017)

In 1989, Shimano updated their Dura-Ace groupset to 8-speed. As with the 7-speed version, the rear derailleur advertised a 26T maximum cog size and offered a 39T chainring, this makes for a 1,46 ratio or 3,17m.

With the same method of incremental upgrades, Shimano started from 1992 onwards to upgrade its lower grade groupsets : 600 Ultegra (1992-1998), 105 SC (1994-1999), Sora (2000-2007) and Claris (2003-2017). But only the groupsets from the years before 2000 have a 28T maximum cog size, making for a 1,39 ratio or 2,94m with the offered 39T chainring.

After 2000 and for clarity : Sora had a 27T maximum cog, Claris (generation 2200 from 2003 to 2009) 26T and Claris (generation 2300 from 2010 to 2013) 26T as well. Despite that, Claris 2300 offered a 50/34 crankset from 2011 to 2013, combined with the 26T cog, this made for a 1,3 ratio or 2,79m.

Moreover, Claris 2400 (2014-2017) has a maximum cog size of 32T, in combination with the 50/34 this makes for a 1,06 ratio or 2,26m.

9 speed (1997-2016)

In 1997, Shimano updated their Dura-Ace (1997-2003) groupset to 9-speed. As with the 8-speed version, the rear derailleur advertised a 26T maximum cog size and offered a 39T chainring, this makes for a 1,46 ratio or 3,17m. It is interesting to note that in 1998, Shimano advertises the exact same rear derailleur as accepting a 27T maximum cog.

Shimano once again upgraded its groupsets by yearly increments, Ultegra (1998-2004) first and 105 (2000-2005) then. In 1998, Ultegra's rear derailleur is advertised as supporting a 28T cog, this makes for a 1,39 ratio or 2,97m. Curiously, from 2000 onwards and through, all of the 9-speed groups, including Ultegra (!), are noted to have rear derailleurs supporting only up to a 27T cog, this makes for a 1,44 ratio or 3,08.

Tiagra (2001-2011) was upgraded in 2007 to its 4500 generation featuring a Compact crankset allowing use for a 34T, this makes for a 1,26 ratio or 2,68.

The following year Sora (2008-2017) was released with the exact same specifications. However, in 2013, Sora was upgraded to its 3500 generation where the rear derailleur was able to support up to a 32T cog, making for a 1,06 ration or 2,36m.

10 speed (2004-2015)

In 2004, Shimano introduced the 10-speed Dura-Ace (2004-2012) groupset, the biggest cog allowed by the rear derailleur is 27T. Paired to the 39T chainring, it makes for a 1,44 ratio or 3,08.

As you most likely understand by now, Shimano released upgrades by increments, Ultegra (2005-2013) followed first and then 105 (2006-2014). But the gear ratio was only improved in 2008, with the release of compact cranksets for Ultegra and 105 (with Dura-Ace following in 2009). The 34T smallest chainring with the 27T cog makes for a 1,26 ration or 2,68.

Dura-Ace 7900, released in 2009, improved ever so slightly by releasing a rear derailleur with a maximum cog size of 28T, making for a 1,21 or 2,59m. Ultegra 6700 followed suit in 2010 and 105 5700 in 2011.

In 2012, Tiagra became a 10-speed groupset and improved, again, slightly : a rear derailleur able to use a maximum 30T cog size, making for a 1,13 or 2,41m.

It's necessary to note that despite setting an arbitrary limit earlier, 10-speed compatibility steps out earlier with the introduction of Tiagra 4700 which is incompatible with the other 10-speed groupsets.

Table

Speed\Year	1987	→	1989	→	1992	→	1994	1995	→	1997	1998	→	2000	→	2004	→	2007	2008	2009	→	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
7-speed	39/26	→	39/28	→	→	→	39/30	36/28	→	→	disc.
8-speed			39/26	→	39/28	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	→	34/26	→	→	34/32	→	→	disc.
9-speed										39/26	→	→	39/27	→	→	→	34/27	→	→	→	→	→	34/32	→	→	disc.
10-speed															39/27	→	→	34/27	34/28	→	→	34/30	→	→	disc.

Past the rules

If what has been said until now is not enough, there are a few things we can mitigate to help further.

Mixing groupset parts is a path you can go. But most importantly, using a long cage/triple rear derailleur will also help accept bigger cog to chainring differences, the main interest being the use of a compact crankset. Campagnolo usually made 37T capacity triple rear derailleurs. Assuming the offered cog sizes, a 34/28 would fit very comfortably as far as capacity goes while offering a 1.21 gear ratio, or 2,59m of development. Shimano

Campagnolo

Miche offers more forgiving and even sometimes out of spec cassettes. For 8-speed and 9-speed, they match the 28T and 29T respective max cog size of the derailleur. For 10-speed, they go a bit further and offer a cassette going up to 30T. This makes for a 1,13 gear ratio, or 2,39m of development. This is as good as it gets without going for 11-speed.

If you're willing to let go of indexation, and Italians forbid, using a Shimano cassette on a Campy drive train is pretty compelling. Though, when you take in consideration the rarity of 8-speed downtube shifters, this sort of modification is pretty useless.

Shimano

I want to quickly mention the 6-speed friction Shimano 600EX (6207) and the Shimano 105 Golden Arrow (A105) groupsets which offered a long cage derailleur that was advertised as being able to handle a 34T maximum cog size as far back as 1984. This would've made for a 1,11 ratio. Far ahead of its time.

After this, for some god forsaken reason, Shimano never offered a 38T chainring for their 7, 8 "and 9 speed" groupsets despite being able to mount this size of chainring to their cranksets. This is a cheap simple gear ratio gain.

Furthermore, for a number of years, from 2005 onwards, Shimano offered alternative groupsetless parts to alleviate some of the constraints from their more "serious" road bike groupsets. The main interest to us is the offer of a Compact crankset when the main groupsets didn't. Though, to be fair, by 2008, Shimano was offering Compact cranksets for all their groupsets but Claris (which did get a compact crankset in 2011).

Shimano is very forgiving if you're willing to let go of perfect shifting, indexation and if you're willing to make use of components from their other fields of components. Removing indexation simply allows you to use MTB cassettes and even then, I've been using a mix of Road Brifters/MTB cassette 9-speed on one of my bike and it's far from perfect but you can definitely get-by.