I have a three year old Colnago with Record parts. I recently replaced the cables, but the rear derailleur shifts very stiffly, almost hard to shift. Then it skips cogs when it shifts. I recently noticed the that shifter on the handlebar no longer clicks when I shift, like it used to do. Changing the cables made no difference. I have the original shifter and rear derailleur, and about 12-14K miles on it. Any suggestions?
The temptation to say something smart *ss is overwhelming. I'll be nice though. You have far exceeded Campy's rebuild recomendations. You should replace the G-spring at a minimum and all the springs to get it back to normal. Springs are about $3-$5 each. If it shifts smooth then leave the bearings alone. If not, replace them. It isn't hard to rebuild just time consuming. The best way to do it is to take it to your LBS and see if they have an account with QBP, Quality Bike Parts, they should. Have them send the shifters in to them to rebuild. It will cost about as much as you could do and they'll do it in a week. When they arrive back to you they will shift like new. Good luck Almost forgot, send in both brifters and at 14K replace the hoods. If you haven't already done so replace the cassette and chain. Use the new 5.9mm narrow chain if it's a 10 speed. Check your chainrings also.
The owners manual that came with my new Chorus shifters advises an overhaul every three years or 18,000 miles so you haven't really exceeded Campy's recommended service interval. Of course, shifter life is going to depend a lot on how often you shift and your riding conditions but it sounds like yours are due for an overhaul.
I believe Branford Bike (www.branfordbike.com) offers a overhaul/rebuild service for $25 plus parts. They also sell the replacement parts and hoods and offer a detailed service manual for these shifters.
Thanks. First set of Campy's. Never thought of the overhaul for some reason.
What an interesting read the "http://www.campyonly.com/howto/ergo_rebuild.html" was, in particular the conversion info. This raises some questions for me which I hope you can help me with.
I bought a carbon bike recently for my wife, it has Campag Carbon Record Levers - 9 speed. The specs are below.
I was very excited at the component list.
What I notice are the following.
2) The left lever requires a very long travel to make a shift in either direction. I need to take my hands off the bar to make the up shift as the lever travels some 6 cm in an arch, is this normal? I understand it is managing all the trim stages.
3) There is a Shimano hub on the rear wheel with a Shimano 10 speed cassette on it. I could not tune the shifting of the rear gears and it kept trying to climb between gears after a shift was made. I took it to my brother who is an experienced rider of some 25 years, we noted the 10 gear cassette and the 9 speed shifters and thought it odd. We changed the cassette to a 9 speed Ultegra set and could tune the rear gears nicely.
- The rear hub and cassette is Shimano as it the 105 chain. I thought Shimano and Campy were not interchangeable.
4) I wrote back to the seller and he said he had upgraded the 9 speed levers at a bike shop and that the 10 speed cassette was appropriate. That he had serviced it before packing in the bike box for shipment. Maybe the derailleur had been knocked in transit. He referred to your page on the upgrade of older 9 speeds to 10 speeds.
Therefore, the 10 speed casette it came with should be working like a treat. In fact, I serviced it before I dismantled and packed up and it was running smoothly then so I am unsure why it should be causing you issues now. Perhaps it recieved a slight knock and the limit screws need re-adjusting? "
What I don't understand is that a Shimano cassette and hub are on the rear and that the lever only has 8 clicks (9 gears).
Your thoughts on this please as I think the seller is genuine but the items above don't gell for me.
1) Should the levers be very stiff and what does this indicate?
2) Shimano cassette and hub?
3) 10 speed conversion but only 8 clicks.
But, you said the shifter only clicks 8 times, so either the seller lies to you and it is a 9 speed lever, or it truly is rebuilt as a 10-speed lever but is now broken! The fact that you were able to get it to shift acceptably on a 9-speed shimano cassette points to the latter.
Your front shifting issues may be the result of mismatched pull ratios between the left shifter and front derailleur. For instance if the FD is Campagnolo Quickshift and the left shifter is not, you could be having the problem you are describing. Quickshift FD's have "QS" printed on them, as should the accompanying shift lever.
In regards to the shifter feeling stiff, this could be a lubrication issue or an indication that you have frayed cables near the ends. Or, you could just be used to Shimano shifters, which are much, much lighter in feel, particularly the lower tier Sora model. However, the long throw of the front shift lever is certainly a cause for concern.
Thing is, the fact that someone sold you a bike with all Campagnolo parts except for a Shimano rear hub/cassette is a major red flag. Either he's trying to pull a fast one or he just doesn't know better.
Either way its not a very good situation for you. I suggest you get the bike checked out by a good mechanic to make sure that all of the expensive Campagnolo bits are functioning properly on their own (and discern whether or not the R-shifter was actually rebuilt). If everything else in good shape, purchase or barter for a campagnolo compatible rear wheel and cassette.
I have no idea why you would only get 8 clicks with a 10s shifter. I don't recall the specifics of the upgrade, but that doesn't semm right.
However, if I read this page correctly, a Campy 10s shifter should move a pre 2001 Campy rear derailleur 3.97mm per click. Since the Shimano 10s cassette pitch is 3.95, it should work.
Steve an Sean, many thanks for your input.
Record Carbon BB System - there is a small round button marked "S/S" in the shroud rubber behind the thumb shift but there is only a hole underneath.
Record 9 Speed - again there is a small round button marked "MODE" in the shroud rubber behind the thumb shift but there is only a hole underneath.
Right Lever action - (Currently 9 speed Ultegra cassette fitted).
Change down - Firm 2 finger push with hard finish to make the selection. About 3cm freeplay before engaging for the hard finish. Accurate selection once complete. 9 gears only can be selected.
Change up - Very firm thumb pressure required. Accurate selection once changed gear.
I can live with the Shimano cassette and hub if I can only sort the super hard and long travel required to make gear changes.
To me it is not a matter of the cassette rather the lever to derailleur relationship particularly the very long action required and the level of pressure required.
What should an early Record change like?
Has anyone disassembled 2006 Campy Record Front Derailleur?