Shifting problems

bladerider
bladerider Posts: 29
edited June 2007 in Workshop
I'm new to the forum so hello to all.

On my way back from a ride yesterday I started having problems shifting the rear gears. There was no longer a positive click at the shift lever and gear selection was a bit hit and miss. It feels like its half way between an indexed and non-indexed system.

Its a Campag Centaur 10 speed setup.

When I got back I checked the cable wasn't sticking and also checked the cable tension. All seems OK. The chain runs smoothly on the cassette in all gears. I can still shift gears but it is no longer 'positive'.

Any ideas what it might be ?

Thanks.

Comments

  • Cyclistm
    Cyclistm Posts: 758
    Welcome

    Sounds like cable stretch - this site will help you tune the gears
    http://www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp?catid=53
  • bladerider
    bladerider Posts: 29
    Thanks for the reply.

    The cable tension is set correctly (as per park tools web-site). Do you think I need to replace the cable ?
  • Cyclistm
    Cyclistm Posts: 758
    Nope probably just out of adjustment.
  • bladerider
    bladerider Posts: 29
    As I said earlier the adjustment is correct.
  • photojonny
    photojonny Posts: 382
    What criteria are you using to determine that the adjustment is correct? For me, smooth shifting = correct adjustment. If yours aren't shifting well, what else are you using to determine that they are well adjusted?

    From the sound of it, it's a barrel adjuster job.

    Not being funny/sarcastic, genuinely interested. [:)]
    where there's two wheels, there's a way....
    where there's two wheels, there's a way....
  • on the road
    on the road Posts: 5,631
    If the lever doesn't click then the ratchet could be faulty or broken.
  • meenaghman
    meenaghman Posts: 345
    I had this.. chain wasn't worn according to chain wear guide.. spent ages checking things and even threaded a new inner wire.. couldn't seem to adjust it. grinned and bore it thinking it was a bad outer cable and purchased some cables but never got round to fitting them.. about 3 weeks later my chain snapped on a climb (it was a campag record one), and I've since switched to a KMC SPD SL.. fantastic. didn't have to change my setup or anything so that was perfect. So worth checking chain.. and check the whole chain.
  • bladerider
    bladerider Posts: 29
    I have been adjusting this set up for the last 4K miles. I know when the barrel adjustment is correct. This is something else.

    I think on the road could be on to something with the ratchet problem as there is no positive click at the lever.

    Can the lever be fixed/serviced or is it just a case of replacing it ?
  • Cyclistm
    Cyclistm Posts: 758
    I would probably undo the gear cable and release all tension. Then try to see if the shifters have the 'click' if not you can be pretty sure it is the shifters.

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