Problem with Campagnolo Centaur shifters

Spunky Tupper

A mate is experiencing a strange problem with his front Campag Centaur shifter.

Basically, at the beginning of the ride it shifts smooth and easy but later on it gets progressively stiffer and more difficult to shift across.

I can't think of a mechanical reason why this would be, but then I don't know too much about Campag shifters. I jokingly asked him if it was just his left hand getting tired from constantly switching chainrings but he is adamant it really happens.

Anybody have any clues?

OnTow

Funnily enough, 2,000 miles and 12 months later, my Veloce front shifter has been suffering gremlins.
If it's stiff shifting, espeically on the thumbshift, could be that the springs are wearing out - This is solved by taking it to somewhere like Condor for an Ergo service. I believe they simply replace the springs and voila!

I opted to go for replacing mine with Chorus (a stonking GBP175 notes at a time when everyone is tightening their belts), as you get multiple downshifts on the cassette and it's supposedly easier to service/more reliable.

Didn't realise the Campag. are doing the "fleece you for two levers" trick though.
Still, will be keeping the slightly dodgy Veloces for crash repairs.

My issues were phantom downshifting at the front, and a jamming thumbshift, which got more noticable the more I rode.
Other options that were suggested to me were a cable change.... one reason why Shimano's exposed cable runs are better - because they're clean and not interfered with by tight bar bends.