Campy Chorus shifting problem

TMB Drum Alum said:

I had my LBS replace the cables on my bike (Trek 5500, Campy Chorus
Grupo). They have done good work on my other rides and I wanted to
support my local shop. There was no problem shifting, typical clean
Campy action, but the cables were several years old, so I wanted them
replaced. They didn't use Campy cables (yeah I know, shoot me) but a
stainless set they said was good quality. Upon picking up my bike, the
tech said that my brifters were probably shot, they are really stiff
and I should replace them. Sure enough, the bike shifts horribly!!
Shifting on the rear deralleur is spotty at best, the chain grinds and
I have to give a half-click to change sprockets. The brifter for the
front is impossibly stiff and requires my pushing the lever as far as
it can go.
As I said, I had NO shifting issues prior to replacing the cables.
Adjusting the derailleurs does not seem to be of any help. Could the
new cables be causing my problem, or does it sound like a brifter
rebuild is in order? I am not taking it back to the shop since they
seem incapable of fixing my bike. Not only am I having shifting
problems, but my bars were moved and when I went to set them back, the
cables were so tight I could not move them enough.
Any help from the Campy experts would be appreciated.

"the

Quoted message said:

tech said that my brifters were probably shot, they are really stiff
and I should replace them."

The tech is applying STI logic to Ergo. Throw the whole thing out.

My suggestion would be to put your old housing and cables back on the
bike. Assuming the shop returned the parts they replaced. If not,
then mail order a set of Campagnolo cables and housing for $35 or so.
Put them on, competently, and your problems will most likely be solved.

I would guess the problems with your current setup are due to extremely
excessive drag of the cable on the housing ends. They probably cut the
housing with wire cutters and left the end smashed in an oval so it
drags on the cable when you shift. You can check this by pulling the
cables out of the housing and looking at the ends of the housing. You
could cleanly recut the housings and make them 90 degrees and circles.
But since they are already too short, might as well not waste the time
trying to salvage the stuff the shop installed.

On 14 Aug 2006 12:24:36 -0700, "TMB Drum Alum" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I had my LBS replace the cables on my bike (Trek 5500, Campy Chorus
Grupo). They have done good work on my other rides and I wanted to
support my local shop. There was no problem shifting, typical clean
Campy action, but the cables were several years old, so I wanted them
replaced. They didn't use Campy cables (yeah I know, shoot me) but a
stainless set they said was good quality. Upon picking up my bike, the
tech said that my brifters were probably shot, they are really stiff
and I should replace them. Sure enough, the bike shifts horribly!!
Shifting on the rear deralleur is spotty at best, the chain grinds and
I have to give a half-click to change sprockets. The brifter for the
front is impossibly stiff and requires my pushing the lever as far as
it can go.
As I said, I had NO shifting issues prior to replacing the cables.
Adjusting the derailleurs does not seem to be of any help. Could the
new cables be causing my problem, or does it sound like a brifter
rebuild is in order? I am not taking it back to the shop since they
seem incapable of fixing my bike. Not only am I having shifting
problems, but my bars were moved and when I went to set them back, the
cables were so tight I could not move them enough.
Any help from the Campy experts would be appreciated.

Not an expert, but I know that the ends on Campy shifter and brake cables are
smaller than the ends on Shimano cables and that many "universal" cables aren't.

These guys simply munged the job.

The Campy cableset can be had for $35 most anywhere. replace the whole sloppy
mess and then when it works great go ride and enjoy.

Ron

TMB Drum Alum said:

I had my LBS replace the cables on my bike (Trek 5500, Campy Chorus
Grupo). They have done good work on my other rides and I wanted to
support my local shop. There was no problem shifting, typical clean
Campy action, but the cables were several years old, so I wanted them
replaced. They didn't use Campy cables (yeah I know, shoot me) but a
stainless set they said was good quality. Upon picking up my bike, the
tech said that my brifters were probably shot, they are really stiff
and I should replace them.

What absolute BS...and this guy calls himself a bike wrench..

Sure enough, the bike shifts horribly!!

Quoted message said:

Shifting on the rear deralleur is spotty at best, the chain grinds and
I have to give a half-click to change sprockets. The brifter for the
front is impossibly stiff and requires my pushing the lever as far as
it can go.
As I said, I had NO shifting issues prior to replacing the cables.
Adjusting the derailleurs does not seem to be of any help. Could the
new cables be causing my problem, or does it sound like a brifter
rebuild is in order?

Lesseee...wotked great until the idiot changes cables and not it works
like [censored]...I wonder if its related???

I am not taking it back to the shop since they

Quoted message said:

seem incapable of fixing my bike. Not only am I having shifting
problems, but my bars were moved and when I went to set them back, the
cables were so tight I could not move them enough.
Any help from the Campy experts would be appreciated.

Go to a decent shop that knows WTF they are doing...Clarks, Campag
cable set, new long enough housing....

I didn't say it but, maybe even Shimano SLR (braking) and SIS
(shifting) cable/housing.

Quoted message said:

Go to a decent shop that knows WTF they are doing...Clarks, Campag
cable set, new long enough housing....

jlee said:

I didn't say it but, maybe even Shimano SLR (braking) and SIS
(shifting) cable/housing.

Quoted message said:

Go to a decent shop that knows WTF they are doing...Clarks, Campag
cable set, new long enough housing....

Bad idea, shimano index inner wire. As mentioned, the head is too large
and gets stuck in the lever...use the proper stuff...really no problem
with the stuck head until ya want to change the inner wire then ya
gotta dig it out.

On 16 Aug 2006 05:37:53 -0700, "Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

jlee said:

I didn't say it but, maybe even Shimano SLR (braking) and SIS
(shifting) cable/housing.

Quoted message said:

Go to a decent shop that knows WTF they are doing...Clarks, Campag
cable set, new long enough housing....

Bad idea, shimano index inner wire. As mentioned, the head is too large
and gets stuck in the lever...use the proper stuff...really no problem
with the stuck head until ya want to change the inner wire then ya
gotta dig it out.

Some road brake inners have a head that interferes with the inside of the Mirage
levers. Doesn't let the lever move freely.

Ron

I'd like to thank y'all for the great feedback and thought I'd report
on the resolution. I took my bike to a very reputable shop and as I
walked it in, the service guy eyballed it and asked "What did you do to
those cables?"... from 4' away! I sheepishly told him the story, he
put it on his stand and said the cables were way too short. As he
checked it out, he also noticed the rear der hanger was bent slightly.
After straightening it, he took the cables off, checked the end and
said this cable was not for Campy gear... much grumbling and dirty
looks ensued.
All tolled, bent hanger, the cables were wrong, the housings were too
short (the rear der housing short by at least 3/4"😉, the rear brake
cable housing too long, and the front brake cable too short... not too
mention the adjustment screws were set wrong. The shop is re-doing it
correctly and is charging me less than I paid to have it done wrong.
So much for supporting my LBS, I purchased 3 bikes and numerous
accesorries from them, but no longer. Thanks again for pointing me in
the right direction!

In article said:

I'd like to thank y'all for the great feedback and thought I'd report
on the resolution

I'd be interested if someone such as Peter could expound on the cable length
issue for a few sentences. Other than a preposterously short rear loop which
could make the angle into the derailleur unacceptable, or brake cables too
short to turn the handlebars, what would define particular cable lengths as
being too long or too short?

Art

TMB Drum Alum said:

I'd like to thank y'all for the great feedback and thought I'd report
on the resolution. I took my bike to a very reputable shop and as I
walked it in, the service guy eyballed it and asked "What did you do to
those cables?"... from 4' away! I sheepishly told him the story, he
put it on his stand and said the cables were way too short. As he
checked it out, he also noticed the rear der hanger was bent slightly.
After straightening it, he took the cables off, checked the end and
said this cable was not for Campy gear... much grumbling and dirty
looks ensued.
All tolled, bent hanger, the cables were wrong, the housings were too
short (the rear der housing short by at least 3/4"😉, the rear brake
cable housing too long, and the front brake cable too short... not too
mention the adjustment screws were set wrong. The shop is re-doing it
correctly and is charging me less than I paid to have it done wrong.
So much for supporting my LBS, I purchased 3 bikes and numerous
accesorries from them, but no longer. Thanks again for pointing me in
the right direction!

Ya know, I bought my car from a dealer but would never take it back to
them for service....same for many bike shops, even here in the
'republic'.

Arthur Shapiro said:

In article said:

I'd like to thank y'all for the great feedback and thought I'd report
on the resolution

I'd be interested if someone such as Peter could expound on the cable length
issue for a few sentences. Other than a preposterously short rear loop which
could make the angle into the derailleur unacceptable, or brake cables too
short to turn the handlebars, what would define particular cable lengths as
being too long or too short?

Well, you could look at this link [1] on the subject:
<http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cables.html>.

[1] Your cue to while about people brown-nosing, Mr. Ozark Bicycle.

--
Tom Sherman - Behind the Cheddar Curtain

TMB Drum Alum said:

I'd like to thank y'all for the great feedback and thought I'd report
on the resolution. I took my bike to a very reputable shop and as I
walked it in, the service guy eyballed it and asked "What did you do to
those cables?"... from 4' away! I sheepishly told him the story, he

Rubbish. After he told you the story, he would have noticed the cables.

Quoted message said:

put it on his stand and said the cables were way too short. As he
checked it out, he also noticed the rear der hanger was bent slightly.
After straightening it, he took the cables off, checked the end and
said this cable was not for Campy gear... much grumbling and dirty
looks ensued.
All tolled, bent hanger, the cables were wrong, the housings were too
short (the rear der housing short by at least 3/4"😉, the rear brake
cable housing too long, and the front brake cable too short... not too
mention the adjustment screws were set wrong. The shop is re-doing it
correctly and is charging me less than I paid to have it done wrong.
So much for supporting my LBS, I purchased 3 bikes and numerous
accesorries from them, but no longer. Thanks again for pointing me in
the right direction!

I would have taken it back to the LBS and have the senior mechanic take
a look. And paid no more.