Campag Chorus Ergo shifter advice

[Pedrosanchezo]

Hi,

Needing some advice regarding my Campy Chorus right hand side shifter.

Off the top of my head i think @accountantpete and @RecordAceFromNew might be able to assist me?

The right hand shifter has stopped "clicking" and the result is a slightly sloppier shifting experience. I just noticed it whilst adjusting the shifting at the rear Der due to a wheel and cassette change.

The shifting is fine now after a little tweaking. The cassette is the same as on the other set of wheels - 12-25. When i swap the wheels i tend to just need to give it a quick adjustment. During this process was when i noticed the lack of a click in the upshift and down.

Cable tension seems fine and as noted previously shifting is fine. Am i right in thinking it could be the spring inside the shifter? A G-spring or similar? The teeth on the index gearing seem fine at a glance.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Pete probably can provide more suitable suggestions, but you can certainly try opening it up and cleaning it first before replacing the G springs.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Very helpful link, thanks.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I am handy with bike maintenance but that seems fiddlier than a fiddly thing.

I'll try and find replacement springs anyway and have a go. What's the worst that can happen?

 

[Amanda P]

It could go 'sprong' and bits fly out in all directions.

It is fiddly. Very fiddly. Make sure you have plenty of time, infinite patience, good light and excellent eyesight. Work in a clean, tidy place so that when bits drop out you stand a chance of finding them again. Place all the parts carefully in order so that you can reassemble them exactly right - it matters. Take photos as you go in case (got a macro lens?)

There are some very good videos online showing how to dismantle and re-build ergos, but there are several different types. Watch a few of them before you begin and have them ready for reference during.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I have watched a video showing how to disassemble. Looks so easy when done like that. I know better though. I know it will be a total PITA!!

I've got a hill climb this weekend, involving this bike, so i might be wise to attempt this afterward instead of trying to get it all done for Saturday morning.

 

[accountantpete]

The clicking in those shifters involves a cog/ratchet with teeth (see small drum of teeth at bottom).

On either side of this cog are two little black "springs"

The inner bits of these two springs fit in the gap between the teeth of the cog. So the cog is held in place by the two springs.

The drum with the cable is attached to this cog so if the cog moves the cable moves.



Basically all the rest of the mechanism does is turn the central cog - the two springs are then forced over the tooth and down into the next gap.

This causes the click (actually two clicks!) - both ways.

You will therefore appreciate that the shifters work on brute force - the cog moves forcing the springs out until they drop into the next gap.

This wears both the teeth of the cog (slightly)and the springs (more so)- so over time the "clicks" become less audible and the shifting a lot smoother but slightly vague .

personally I love the shifters when they are at this stage - but of you want to get back to the crisp and noisy clicks then you need to renew the two black springs. The ratchet will cost more than a new shifter!

It is a fiddly job to take apart. You will need to take the lever off!!!!

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

@accountantpete - Thanks for that info. I do like the precision that the click provides, especially changing out of the saddle. With the springs slightly worn the whole thing is considerably smoother but i find that i have lost the precision, even with the gears set up as usual. I assume the set up will still work fine as is so there is no rush.

I don't think the springs will be that expensive? I know Campy stuff is usually pricey but it is only springs. The ratchet should be fine, i hope, as everything works fine just without the click and stiffness that the click provides.

Any idea where to get these spare springs? I might have a look at Chicken cycles as they are usually good with Campy.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Some useful tips on this site too.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

This the right springs chaps? 2 needed?

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Campagnolo/EC-RE209-Right-hand-Index-Spring/AVB

 

[accountantpete]

This the right springs chaps? 2 needed?

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Campagnolo/EC-RE209-Right-hand-Index-Spring/AVB

Just to confirm that

a) you have a 9/10 spd shifter.

b) The thumb shift should contact some metal teeth and actually push them around to change gear.

(there are QS type levers which employ a different mechanism but I don't think that it was used for Chorus right hand shifters)

If so that spring is the one you need - or rather you will need 2 (they are identical) . I'd ask if the price is for one or two as the last ones I bought came in a package of two.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Just to confirm that

a) you have a 9/10 spd shifter.

b) The thumb shift should contact some metal teeth and actually push them around to change gear.

(there are QS type levers which employ a different mechanism but I don't think that it was used for Chorus right hand shifters)

If so that spring is the one you need - or rather you will need 2 (they are identical) . I'd ask if the price is for one or two as the last ones I bought came in a package of two.

Yup it is Chorus 10 speed 2007-2008. When you push the thumb shifter all the way down you can clearly see metal teeth working like a ratchet.

I will order 2 anyway as spares will no doubt be handy.

Next day delivery possible so might strip down tonight and figure the thing out, making for an easier rebuild tomorrow. Going to do the cables whilst I am at it.

If it all goes wrong then i'll just have to do the hill climb on my Stealth with the Standard double. Harden me up!

Thanks again.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Okay. One right hand shifter in many pieces. All in order of course.

I was hoping to find some broken G springs but they seem fine to me. I might take a test run reassemble before the new springs arrive tomorrow, and give everything a good clean to see if that helps any. Maybe the springs have simply lost their tension?

When you done yours @accountantpete, did you have broken springs?

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Asked and answered - i just tried to bend one of the springs and it snapped easily. Must have been ready to go.

I await the new G springs.

 

[VamP]

Good thread