Bicycle Mechanics - Nobody can solve my crossring upshifting dilemma!

I have Campy Veloce on my 6 month old steel Lemond Sarthe and in the last month , the damn thing wants to upshift :mad: , particularly when I cross chain in 53/25-23-21.

I've had three differnent mechanics look at it and they just fiddle with the cable tension. When they test it on the stand , it shifts pretty good and then on the road it's a different matter under hammering conditions. I even gobbed some grease on the cable guide under the BB as per Sheldon Brown's recommendation. Still doesn't help.

Do I need a new cable, or does the rear derailleur need to be taken apart? Would a higher level grade of Campy help like Chorus or Record? Hep me pleeze! :(

Why don't you try adjusting the cable tension yourself under actual conditions.If it's shifting from bigger to smaller cog try 1/4 turn counterclockwise at a time and check results.Nothing wrong with Veloce,and taking a derailer apart usually solves nothing.

Don't cross chain.

Just a guess but I'd say it is a combination of some or all of the following: chain is too long (stretched with age maybe?), the cogs are worn (you can tell by the shape of the "U-shape" between the teeth, e.g., are they a "u-shaped" ?), and/or the derailleur is at the wrong angle. Even if it should never be requred to go cross-chain, the bike still should accommodate that selection because it will happen even if you know it is contraindicated and are you not trying to go there. Even so, I think you still should be able to be in your big ring and, for example, 4-5 on a 5-spd cluster.

Did you mention to the shop that it was doing this on the 53/ 25-21 combo? I agree with Boston, you should not cross chain like that. Knock it down to the small ring before you get to the 21+ cogs.

53/25 shouldn't be used but there is nothing wrong with 53/21 or even 53/23. Do you have the correct bottom bracket spindle length? It sounds like your chainline is too far out.

53/25 shouldn't be used but there is nothing wrong with 53/21 or even 53/23. Do you have the correct bottom bracket spindle length? It sounds like your chainline is too far out.

Finally got it fixed. This sharp, young mechanic actually test rode the bike outside and was able to adjust everything OK by trial and error, the first mech I encountered to to do so :rolleyes: .

Good thing, I was getting pissed. :mad:
All bikes shift good on the rack because there is no resistance!

Don't cross chain.
Weird. I saw Lance climbing in th 2004 TDF and the camera zoomed in on gears and he was on the 53x25... for the longest time, while the others were in the 39T. Paul Sherwin said that because L.A. was in that config, he was able to accelerate better to react to any attacks(?).

So, if Lance jumped off of a cliff, would you do it too?

Finally got it fixed. This sharp, young mechanic actually test rode the bike outside and was able to adjust everything OK by trial and error, the first mech I encountered to to do so :rolleyes: .

Good thing, I was getting pissed. :mad:
All bikes shift good on the rack because there is no resistance!

I'm glad you got the bike fixed. :)

This is a classic example of the need to learn how to adjust your own derailleurs! :D
It takes a little trial and error but you will never learn if you run to the dealer every time the cable tension needs to be adjusted. :cry:

Weird. I saw Lance climbing in th 2004 TDF and the camera zoomed in on gears and he was on the 53x25...

Lance also doesn't have to pay to replace worn-out/trashed bits...

So, if Lance jumped off of a cliff, would you do it too?

If I offered you my arse, would you kiss it? :rolleyes:

Finally got it fixed. This sharp, young mechanic actually test rode the bike outside and was able to adjust everything OK by trial and error, the first mech I encountered to to do so :rolleyes:

You yourself could be that sharp, young mechanic simply by learning to tweek that little barrel adjuster on the fly. Believe me, this is one of the simplest adjustments most anyone can attempt and learn by trial and error. It ain't rocket science...

If I offered you my arse, would you kiss it? :rolleyes:



Ohhhh I like the fiesty ones...but seriously, get a repair book and you wouldn't have such a 'dilemma'.

You yourself could be that sharp, young mechanic simply by learning to tweek that little barrel adjuster on the fly. Believe me, this is one of the simplest adjustments most anyone can attempt and learn by trial and error. It ain't rocket science...

For some reason, it wasn't that simple. He had to loosen the cable at the rear deraileur and center the whole thing in a neutral position in the center cog and do this and that and etc...etc.... :p

Hulk's brain hurt..not understand...must smash pumpkin! :mad:
http://www.hulklibrary.com/hulk/images/buttons/btn-cartoon-3.jpg

For some reason, it wasn't that simple. He had to loosen the cable at the rear deraileur and center the whole thing in a neutral position in the center cog and do this and that and etc...etc.... :p

Well, if necessary, that's part of the tweeking process..... ;)