Centaur Shifting !

kingrollo

I don't often use the big chain ring (its bad for my knees) - I have centaur 2001 - whenever I shift the paddle to go on the big ring, first time - nothing happens - no engagement - second time shifts up fine. Numerous campag dealers have adjusted this - is this how it should work - what adjustment should I make ?

Mystique

When I built up my new bike last year, I changed from the "old" Campag Veloce shifters to the newer QS model. The main difference is that I can now change to the big ring with a single push of the paddle, rather than the two pushes it used to take.

kingrollo

My Sora shifts up first time !

But this seems to be feature of centaur shifting on a 2001 model ?

jeepie

Not sure that is a good advert for Sora

(Sorry could not resist!)

GeorgeShaw

Are you sure that you're not confusing gear changing clicks with trim clicks on the front derailleur? I have Centaur 2009 (not 2001). This has (I think) one click of trim each side of the central position for each ring. So unless you're on the edge of the trim, you always have to do 2 or 3 clicks (in one sweep) to change rings.

fnegroni

you can always trim the derailer using the provided downtube barrel adjusters.

kingrollo

GeorgeShaw wrote:

Are you sure that you're not confusing gear changing clicks with trim clicks on the front derailleur? I have Centaur 2009 (not 2001). This has (I think) one click of trim each side of the central position for each ring. So unless you're on the edge of the trim, you always have to do 2 or 3 clicks (in one sweep) to change rings.

ok - sounds promising , excuse my ignorance but what is a trim ? - and why would need to do it, and how often ?

bice

Ditto, there are several trim clicks - three? - before the chain with shift on to the big chainring. But you just push the lever all the way and it should do it. if the cable is too tight, it will come back a click or so.

I find Centaur more basic than 105 and less precise. But it also seems pretty robust. The most irritating thing - apart from Campagnolo's cr@p and incomprehensible instructions in any language - is trying to tighten the grips to the handlebar after folding back, with difficutly, the hoods. Why this bolt could not be at the back, I dont understand.

Also, isn't it astonishing that you can buy a Wilier, say, for £1000 and it is only fitted with Mirage?

Mystique

Trim is the amount of adjustment you can make to the position of the derailleur without actually changing gear - This can be useful to stop the chain rubbing on the mech when using "opposite ends of the gears" combinations (yes, I know you shouldn't...) :roll:

kingrollo

bice wrote:

Ditto, there are several trim clicks - three? - before the chain with shift on to the big chainring. But you just push the lever all the way and it should do it. if the cable is too tight, it will come back a click or so.

I find Centaur more basic than 105 and less precise. But it also seems pretty robust. The most irritating thing - apart from Campagnolo's cr@p and incomprehensible instructions in any language - is trying to tighten the grips to the handlebar after folding back, with difficutly, the hoods. Why this bolt could not be at the back, I dont understand.

Also, isn't it astonishing that you can buy a Wilier, say, for £1000 and it is only fitted with Mirage?

Campag has 2 things in its favour, as you say it is robust - and cables are hidden. - getting parts, and someone who knows how to fit them is a real pain.

My next bike probably will be 105 - I am failing to see the greatness of Campag.

kozzo

how to fit them is a real pain.

I'd say it quite opposite.

acorn_user

I have 05 Mirage and Centaur. It always takes 2 sweeps to get change to the big ring. The trim feature allows you to move the front mech a little so that it stops rubbing on the chain. This is a good thing. To do a really fast front change, you can sweep the lever twice. It works nicely to sweep the lever on the right too; that way you change down at the back as you are changing up at the front.

The biggest advantage to Campag, is that it does not require as much adjustment as Shimano atmo. All Shimano bikes I've had require constant fettling. With Campag, I can adjust it once, and then have it good or good enough for years. I also hate the flippy shifters, but that's another story.

kozzo

Veloce 2006 - 1 sweep to shift

no trim after shiftng required

proper chainline (!), cage height (!), cage range (H i L), cage angle as well as cable adjustment and cable tension,

after regulation takes within less than 2 min.

Wappygixer

The older Campag stuff had several clicks both up and down.Its not like Shimano's indexing.
I always liked the old style Campag front shifter as you had loads of adjustments to prevent chain rub on the front mech.
Whats happening to you if perfectly normal.
If you had the latest you would find the lever moves less to move the chain on to the big ring.

Fitting Campag is no different to Shimano.
Both have hidden cables and in my experience you are more likely to snap a brake cable as opposed to a gear cable.
Both systems can have cables replaced without removing levers or bar tape.

As your current set up is 8 years old how well do you think a similar Shimano will fair under the same conditions?
I ride with both gear systems and work with both as well.If you know what you are doing both are as easy as each other and it just comes down to personal preference.
If a Wilier only comes with Mirage for £1000 thats because thats what they have spec'd for the bike.
I sell bikes with Mirage for £600 but 105 set ups are £1000 this year, last year they were £650

kingrollo

As your current set up is 8 years old how well do you think a similar Shimano will fair under the same conditions?
/

Dunno !

I had ultegra for 10 years before - which I have to say performed better - but it was non STI

I have sora on my commutter, which I use most days - for a 13 mile round commutte -coming up to 3 years old - no issues - and shifts to the big ring, in one sweep.