Campy front derailleur won't shift

Mike Lackey said:

Folks, I've got a really strange problem. I've got a
Centaur front derailleur that won't push the chain onto
the big ring.

Forget the limit adjusting screw, forget adjusting the
cable. Problem is that with the limit screw completely counter-
clockwise, and the cable disconnected, I cannot physically
move the derailleur (with my hand) far enough. There's
just not enough travel in the dang thing to move the cage
over the big ring. Which means either
(a) the derailleur is mounted too far in, or (b) the
crankset is mounted too far out, or (c) maybe a little
of both.

Here are the pertinent details. First, the frame is a
Calfee, with an oversize seat tube. The derailleur is a
Centaur braze-on type mounted with one of those clamp-on
adapter do-bobs.

Question #1: is anybody out there using a Centaur braze-on
front derailleur with an adapter thingy on a bike that has
an oversize seat tube? I wonder if this setup places the
derailleur too close to the seat tube initially?

I don't know the adapter makes much difference but it's not
the main problem......

Quoted message said:

Next, the bottom bracket is the cheaper Centaur/Veloce
type, English thread, while the crankset is Chorus. Just
eyeballing the bottom bracket, it looks like bottom
bracket extends out a bit farther than "normal", pushing
the crankset out just a bit farther.... which leads to....

Question #2: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if the
axle length of a Centaur/Veloce bottom bracket is longer
than axle length of a Chorus bottom bracket?

Centaur/Veloce BB is 111 or 115.5mm (there are two versions;
111 is used for both double & triple cranksets, 115.5 for
triples with oversize seat tubes). Chorus double is 102mm.
Big difference!

Quoted message said:

I'm also wondering if perhaps it's a combination of a
bottom bracket that is a bit wider than ususal, and the
Centaur crankset is designed to make up for this by moving
the chainrings in a bit closer. By placing a Chorus
crankset on this bottom bracket, the chainrings have moved
out a bit farther than normal.

Question #3: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if a
Chorus crankset and a Centaur crankset would place the
chainrings in the same position, given that the bottom
bracket is not changed?

Centaur/Veloce/Mirage/Xenon crankset will place the rings
further in on your existing BB, at least if it's a "double"
BB. I'm not sure about the Chorus triple BB (I think that's
111mm but asymetrical; Centaur/Veloce is symetrical; check
www.campagnolo.com).

Quoted message said:

I could spend yet MORE money to but a Chorus bottom
bracket and buy a genuine clamp-on front derailleur, but
I've already spent enough on this "project", and I'd
really like to try and use what I've already paid for.

You bought a bad combination. You need a Chorus BB. Front
derailleur should be ok.

~PB

Mike Lackey said:

Folks, I've got a really strange problem. I've got a
Centaur front derailleur that won't push the chain onto
the big ring.

Forget the limit adjusting screw, forget adjusting the
cable. Problem is that with the limit screw completely counter-
clockwise, and the cable disconnected, I cannot physically
move the derailleur (with my hand) far enough. There's
just not enough travel in the dang thing to move the cage
over the big ring. Which means either (a) the derailleur
is mounted too far in, or (b) the crankset is mounted too
far out, or (c) maybe a little of both.

Here are the pertinent details. First, the frame is a
Calfee, with an oversize seat tube. The derailleur is a
Centaur braze-on type mounted with one of those clamp-on
adapter do-bobs.

Question #1: is anybody out there using a Centaur braze-on
front derailleur with an adapter thingy on a bike that has
an oversize seat tube? I wonder if this setup places the
derailleur too close to the seat tube initially?

Next, the bottom bracket is the cheaper Centaur/Veloce
type, English thread, while the crankset is Chorus. Just
eyeballing the bottom bracket, it looks like bottom
bracket extends out a bit farther than "normal", pushing
the crankset out just a bit farther.... which leads to....

Question #2: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if the
axle length of a Centaur/Veloce bottom bracket is longer
than axle length of a Chorus bottom bracket?

I'm also wondering if perhaps it's a combination of a
bottom bracket that is a bit wider than ususal, and the
Centaur crankset is designed to make up for this by moving
the chainrings in a bit closer. By placing a Chorus
crankset on this bottom bracket, the chainrings have moved
out a bit farther than normal.

Question #3: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if a
Chorus crankset and a Centaur crankset would place the
chainrings in the same position, given that the bottom
bracket is not changed?

I could spend yet MORE money to but a Chorus bottom
bracket and buy a genuine clamp-on front derailleur, but
I've already spent enough on this "project", and I'd
really like to try and use what I've already paid for.

Look at your chainline. Your crank is out there! Your ACH BB
is 111 (or 115)mm wide, Chorus cranks want a 102.

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1
April, 1971

"A Muzi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mike Lackey said:

Folks, I've got a really strange problem. I've got a
Centaur front derailleur that won't push the chain onto
the big ring.

Forget the limit adjusting screw, forget adjusting the
cable. Problem

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that with the limit screw completely counter-clockwise,
and the cable disconnected, I cannot physically move the
derailleur (with my hand) far enough. There's just not
enough travel in the dang thing to move the

cage

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

over the big ring. Which means either (a) the derailleur
is mounted too

far

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in, or (b) the crankset is mounted too far out, or (c)
maybe a little of both.

Here are the pertinent details. First, the frame is a
Calfee, with an oversize seat tube. The derailleur is a
Centaur braze-on type mounted

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

one of those clamp-on adapter do-bobs.

Question #1: is anybody out there using a Centaur braze-
on front

derailleur

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

with an adapter thingy on a bike that has an oversize
seat tube? I

wonder

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

if this setup places the derailleur too close to the
seat tube

initially?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Next, the bottom bracket is the cheaper Centaur/Veloce
type, English

thread,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

while the crankset is Chorus. Just eyeballing the bottom
bracket, it

looks

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

like bottom bracket extends out a bit farther than
"normal", pushing the crankset out just a bit
farther.... which leads to....

Yes, I have an older Carbonframes tetra custom that requires
an italian threaded bottom bracket. I use an older Edco
Competition bb that has a 116mm wide spindle with a Record 9
crankset 51x39 and C-Record ft der. Works perfectly.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Question #2: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if the
axle length of a Centaur/Veloce bottom bracket is longer
than axle length of a Chorus

bottom

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bracket?

I'm also wondering if perhaps it's a combination of a
bottom bracket

that is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a bit wider than ususal, and the Centaur crankset is
designed to make up

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

this by moving the chainrings in a bit closer. By
placing a Chorus

crankset

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

on this bottom bracket, the chainrings have moved out a
bit farther than normal.

For me, I use the wide 70x116 Edco bb because anything
narrower will cause my inner chainring to touch the
chainstay.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Question #3: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if a
Chorus crankset

and a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Centaur crankset would place the chainrings in the same
position, given

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the bottom bracket is not changed?

I could spend yet MORE money to but a Chorus bottom
bracket and buy a genuine clamp-on front derailleur, but
I've already spent enough on this "project", and I'd
really like to try and use what I've already paid

for.

Quoted message said:

Look at your chainline. Your crank is out there! Your ACH
BB is 111 (or 115)mm wide, Chorus cranks want a 102.

I agree, check the chainline. The crank on my bike is *out
there*, but it works.

mr blutarsky-<< Folks, I've got a really strange problem.
I've got a Centaur front derailleur that won't push the
chain onto the big ring. >><BR><BR> << I cannot physically
move the derailleur (with my hand) far enough. >><BR><BR>

<< Next, the bottom bracket is the cheaper Centaur/Veloce
type, English thread, while the crankset is Chorus

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

<BR><BR>

Your problem. Use a Campagnolo 102mm, english threaded BB,
either Record or Chorus. Not the 111mm BB.

Mr- << Question #3: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if a
Chorus crankset and a Centaur crankset would place the
chainrings in the same position, given that the bottom
bracket is not changed? >><BR><BR>

With the proper BB-102 for Record and Chorus, 111 for all
others, the rings will be in the same place. ya gotta match
the crank/BB-

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali
costruite eccezionalmente bene"

As everyone else has already noted, you need either a
Centaur/Veloce/Mirage crankset to go on your AC-H
Centaur/Veloce/Mirage bottom bracket, or a Chorus/Record
bottom bracket to go with your Chorus crankset.

I use a 111mm AC-H Centaur bottom bracket and Centaur triple
crankset on a 31.8mm seattube. Not the longer 115 mm bottom
bracket. And clamp on Shimano 105 triple front derailleur.

About the bottom brackets. The AC-H Centaur bottom brackets,
111mm and 115mm, are symmetrical. Same spindle length
sticking out both sides of the bottom bracket shell. The
Chorus/Record bottom brackets are asymmetrical. There is
less spindle sticking out the drive side. I think. Or maybe
its the other way.

"Mike Lackey" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<Aujec.13861$wP1.31586@attbi_s54>...

Quoted message said:

Folks, I've got a really strange problem. I've got a
Centaur front derailleur that won't push the chain onto
the big ring.

Forget the limit adjusting screw, forget adjusting the
cable. Problem is that with the limit screw completely counter-
clockwise, and the cable disconnected, I cannot physically
move the derailleur (with my hand) far enough. There's
just not enough travel in the dang thing to move the cage
over the big ring. Which means either (a) the derailleur
is mounted too far in, or (b) the crankset is mounted too
far out, or (c) maybe a little of both.

Here are the pertinent details. First, the frame is a
Calfee, with an oversize seat tube. The derailleur is a
Centaur braze-on type mounted with one of those clamp-on
adapter do-bobs.

Question #1: is anybody out there using a Centaur braze-on
front derailleur with an adapter thingy on a bike that has
an oversize seat tube? I wonder if this setup places the
derailleur too close to the seat tube initially?

Next, the bottom bracket is the cheaper Centaur/Veloce
type, English thread, while the crankset is Chorus. Just
eyeballing the bottom bracket, it looks like bottom
bracket extends out a bit farther than "normal", pushing
the crankset out just a bit farther.... which leads to....

Question #2: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if the
axle length of a Centaur/Veloce bottom bracket is longer
than axle length of a Chorus bottom bracket?

I'm also wondering if perhaps it's a combination of a
bottom bracket that is a bit wider than ususal, and the
Centaur crankset is designed to make up for this by moving
the chainrings in a bit closer. By placing a Chorus
crankset on this bottom bracket, the chainrings have moved
out a bit farther than normal.

Question #3: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if a
Chorus crankset and a Centaur crankset would place the
chainrings in the same position, given that the bottom
bracket is not changed?

I could spend yet MORE money to but a Chorus bottom
bracket and buy a genuine clamp-on front derailleur, but
I've already spent enough on this "project", and I'd
really like to try and use what I've already paid for.

Thanks in advance, Mike Lackey Madison, AL

Thanks to all who've replied. It's (painfully) obvious I've
got a mismatched crankset and bottom bracket.

Dangit!

Mike Lackey Madision, AL

"Mike Lackey" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:Aujec.13861$wP1.31586@attbi_s54...

Quoted message said:

Folks, I've got a really strange problem. I've got a
Centaur front derailleur that won't push the chain onto
the big ring.

Forget the limit adjusting screw, forget adjusting the
cable. Problem is that with the limit screw completely counter-
clockwise, and the cable disconnected, I cannot physically
move the derailleur (with my hand) far enough. There's
just not enough travel in the dang thing to move the cage
over the big ring. Which means either (a) the derailleur
is mounted too

far

Quoted message said:

in, or (b) the crankset is mounted too far out, or (c)
maybe a little of both.

Here are the pertinent details. First, the frame is a
Calfee, with an oversize seat tube. The derailleur is a
Centaur braze-on type mounted

with

Quoted message said:

one of those clamp-on adapter do-bobs.

Question #1: is anybody out there using a Centaur braze-
on front

derailleur

Quoted message said:

with an adapter thingy on a bike that has an oversize seat
tube? I wonder if this setup places the derailleur too
close to the seat tube initially?

Next, the bottom bracket is the cheaper Centaur/Veloce
type, English

thread,

Quoted message said:

while the crankset is Chorus. Just eyeballing the bottom
bracket, it

looks

Quoted message said:

like bottom bracket extends out a bit farther than
"normal", pushing the crankset out just a bit farther....
which leads to....

Question #2: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if the
axle length of a Centaur/Veloce bottom bracket is longer
than axle length of a Chorus

bottom

Quoted message said:

bracket?

I'm also wondering if perhaps it's a combination of a
bottom bracket that

is

Quoted message said:

a bit wider than ususal, and the Centaur crankset is
designed to make up

for

Quoted message said:

this by moving the chainrings in a bit closer. By placing
a Chorus

crankset

Quoted message said:

on this bottom bracket, the chainrings have moved out a
bit farther than normal.

Question #3: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if a
Chorus crankset and

a

Quoted message said:

Centaur crankset would place the chainrings in the same
position, given

that

Quoted message said:

the bottom bracket is not changed?

I could spend yet MORE money to but a Chorus bottom
bracket and buy a genuine clamp-on front derailleur, but
I've already spent enough on this "project", and I'd
really like to try and use what I've already paid for.

Thanks in advance, Mike Lackey Madison, AL

Chorus uses a 102 ISO bb and Centaur and Veloce use 111.

Mike Lackey said:

Question #2: Can any of you Campy gurus tell me if the axle
length of a Centaur/Veloce bottom bracket is longer than
axle length of a Chorus bottom bracket?

I'm also wondering if perhaps it's a combination of a
bottom bracket that is a bit wider than ususal, and the
Centaur crankset is designed to make up for this by moving
the chainrings in a bit closer. By placing a Chorus
crankset on this bottom bracket, the chainrings have moved
out a bit farther than normal.