Campagnolo Derailleur Question

Moriba said:

Hello,

I am dealing with a Bianchi Campione equipped with a Campagnolo Mirage derailleur.

The rear casette has 9 cogs, if I try to use the two largest cogs the bottom of the derailleur rubs the spokes. Actually it rubs on the next to the largest, if I tried to use the largest cog, I think it would tear hell out of things

Does this sound like something went out of adjustment during shipping, or is something bent?

Thanks

Tom

Bent RD hanger??

Moriba said:

Hello,

I am dealing with a Bianchi Campione equipped with a Campagnolo Mirage derailleur.

The rear casette has 9 cogs, if I try to use the two largest cogs the bottom of the derailleur rubs the spokes. Actually it rubs on the next to the largest, if I tried to use the largest cog, I think it would tear hell out of things

Does this sound like something went out of adjustment during shipping, or is something bent?

Thanks

Tom

Is this a new or used bike? When you say shipping, I am guessing that you received the bike partially assembled so it may not be bent but just not adjusted properly.

If the derailleur hangar and derailleur themselves don't look damaged, it is probably adjustment.

Here is a link to the Campagnolo web page for the rear derailleur manual. I would suggest checking all aspects of adjustment with particularly attention to figure 14 on page 22.

campagnolo.com7225195 Rear derailleur.pdfOpen ↗

Kneel at the back of the bike and look along the right side to see if the rear derailleur cage looks bent in towards the frame. If it isn't, it could be an adjustment, but it sure is out if it's a new bike...

Thanks for all the Help!!

The bike is used, it just got here via UPS.

The next question is, if the RD is bent, does that mean it is toast? How effective would it be to try to bend it back it to place?

Tom

Moriba said:

Thanks for all the Help!!

The bike is used, it just got here via UPS.

The next question is, if the RD is bent, does that mean it is toast? How effective would it be to try to bend it back it to place?

Tom

I bent mine in a fall a few weeks ago and we were able to bend it back, but you have to be careful because the metal's pretty soft. Take a look at another bike to see how yours compares.

Trent

Moriba said:

Thanks for all the Help!!

The bike is used, it just got here via UPS.

The next question is, if the RD is bent, does that mean it is toast? How effective would it be to try to bend it back it to place?

Tom

check with campag , they seem to be into rebuildability more than big S , but it may be simpler and , eventually , cheaper to just buy a new mech - the mirage ain´t exactly hi-tech and doesn´t cost it´s weight ( or lack of it ) in gold like a Record . You could even get a good deal on an upgrade for an old Daytona 9 that´s now obsolete
remember you can mount these things without breaking the chain by simply unbolting the pulleys but in this case a new chain might be a wise investment - a worn chain kills cogs faster than anything yet invented .

it´s real easy to bend a hanger during transport / repairing a puncture so BE CAREFULL!!!!!!!!!

ps to anybody out there - don´t buy sight unseen from private individuals as you don´t have a guarentee if it´s not as you expected or it´s broke / worn / not as advertised etc.

Typically, when a derailleur cage is out of alignment (not parallel to the frame), it's one of two things.

1. If you're very lucky, the cage that holds the pulleys is bent. Put on a new cage, or treat your bike to an upgrade and replace the derailleur altogether. Campy 9 equipment is fairly inexpensive these days.

2. If you're unlucky, the derailleur hanger (part of the frame that the derailleur attaches to) is bent. And if you're very unlucky, the derailleur hanger is part of the frame and not replaceable, which usually means that you need a new frame.

While it is possible for the axle that the derailleur sits on to get bent, the hanger isn't nearly as thick as the axle, and almost always bends first.

If the bike was just shipped to you, there is a good chance that it was banged up in shipping, and it's probably just a bent cage. Easy way to tell is to remove the rear derailleur from the frame and look at the hanger. If the hanger is bent, it should be pretty obvious.

JohnO said:

Typically, when a derailleur cage is out of alignment (not parallel to the frame), it's one of two things.

1. If you're very lucky, the cage that holds the pulleys is bent. Put on a new cage, or treat your bike to an upgrade and replace the derailleur altogether. Campy 9 equipment is fairly inexpensive these days.

2. If you're unlucky, the derailleur hanger (part of the frame that the derailleur attaches to) is bent. And if you're very unlucky, the derailleur hanger is part of the frame and not replaceable, which usually means that you need a new frame.

I'd like to differ.

If you are lucky, the RD hanger is bent. Take it to a shop and they use a tool to bend it back. Easy.

Worse if you have a bent RD, you'll have to change some parts.

Regardless, don't go pulling things around with your hands, you need to get thee to an LBS.

Spunout said:

I'd like to differ.

If you are lucky, the RD hanger is bent. Take it to a shop and they use a tool to bend it back. Easy.

Worse if you have a bent RD, you'll have to change some parts.

Regardless, don't go pulling things around with your hands, you need to get thee to an LBS.

I agree. If the hanger is bent it can be bent back easy enough if it's steel. if it's aluminum, there's a good chance it's replaceable. Aluminum can be bent back too, but you need to be carefull.

dont be afraid to bend the hanger a little, just dont be stupid about it.