Road Cycling - Problem with Durace Triple - sloppy shifting

I purchased Durace components for my new custom frame including the triple with 12-27 cogset two years ago and have never had very tight shifting. It slips and doesn't always hold the gear causing me to click a couple of times to get it right. I just replaced the chain and cogset and it still slips in the back - particularly when I'm climbing which is very disconcerting.

I feel like I'm constantly taking it to the shop for tuning and it gets better for a day and it's never really great which is what I was banking on (no pun intended) when I decided on Durace in the first place. One of my friends just purchased a new frame with Durace like mine and told me he was also having problems - he uses a different shop. I've never heard anyone complain about their Ultegra. Any other observations or tips to offer out there?

shift to the smallest cog in the rear, loosen the screw/bolt that holds the cable and pull the cable to make sure it's nice and tight, then, while still pulling the cable, tighten the screw/bolt back down again. if that doesn't solve the problem, use the H-L screws on the backside of the derailleur to adjust the allignment.

if the chain is in the smallest cog, the inside edge teeth on the top jockey wheel on the derailleur should line up with the outside edge of the teeth on the smallest cog.

i tried to find a picture of how it should look, but all the online repair guides only show pictures of the RD from the side...

here's the park tools guide for adjusting it, but it's somewhat confusing...and the illustration they have doesn't show enough detail. http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQrindx.shtml

if you don't have the tools to do it (really, all you need is a set of allen keys, a screwdriver, and your hands), take it to a shop and have them show you if they're not too busy.

one other thing: if you're taking it to a shop and having it done, they might just be replacing the cable each time, rather than simply adjusting the old cable, which would explain why it feels good for one day, and then after that it's back to being sloppy again. cables stretch. take it in, have them do whatever it is they do, ride it, and the next day, if it's sloppy again, just loosen the bolt and pull the cable tighter, or use the barrel adjusters to take up the tension in the cable.

First is to make sure the limit screws work. Undo the cable at te deraileur and let the derailleur naturally go to the lowest gear. Adjust with the limit screws if needed. Pedal with one hand and with the other manually move the derailleur to the top gear. If it doesn't go then adjust with limit screw, same if it goes too far (into spokes). Tat is the main adjustment.

Now attach the cable as tight as you can. Pedal the bike and shift. If it overshifts then the cable is too tight. If it doesn't quite shift then tighten the cable a little bit.

As mentioned by another person. problem may also lie in that some shops really do not know much or care and they are putting a new cable on and charging you for it each time. What happens is with time the new cable will stretch. Then you have the same problem andtake it back in and they put another new cable and problem keeps on going forever. When all it is needed is to adjust the cable you already have to accomodate for the initial stretch.

Another problem is check for alignment. Make sure the RD hanger is not slightly bent.

A word of caution. Don't play with the limit screws unless you KNOW what you are doing. They shouldn't need to be adjusted once set. The cable tension will need to be adjusted for stretch but the adjustment screws won't fix that.

I have the Dura-Ace triple levers with Ultegra derailleurs and haven't had any problems.

I have scarred up many setups as I was learning to adjust the RD. I also learned that many problems start at the STI shifters and can be solved by a squirt of WD40 followed by a good lubricant.. Before you start screwing around with the adjustments, press the brake lever to exposed the innards, and squirt some WD40, play with the shifting to make sure it goes everywhere, and then follow with some lube oli or light grese spray.. I do this twice a year and it solve many many problems..

I have a DA triple on my Felt. The shifting in the rear was crisp when new, then got sloppy. Had a 300 mile tune-up, and since then crisp again. I've only put on another 60 miles since then, but still no issues. I'll let you know if it goes south on me after a few more miles.