Bicycle Mechanics - Campy Ergo Lever Misbehaving

This is a new setup on an older bike: Campy 10 speed cassette, chain, RR derailleur (2011 Veloce), ergo lever (used, ebay), and Jagwire cables.

When in the mid range rear, either chainring, when shifting to larger cogs, there is a slight over shift due to the human operator on the shift lever action. In a perfectly smooth system, the overshift would self-correct and instantly drop into perfect alighment on the cog. In this case, the overshift sticks, and I have to pluck the cable like a voilin string for it to drop into place. There is no stickiness at all when shifting to smaller cogs.

I released the cable from the derraileur and evaluated if any kinks in cable action - there were none. Also, the derraileur itself moves smoothly in and out. This makes me think the shift lever is hanging up within the mechanism.

Does anybody have any insight?

Thank you,

Sounds to me like you either need to lube the innards of the shifter, or something's tightened too much inside. I'd start by shooting a little bit of light oil into the shifter; if that doesn't work, you may have to take it off and disassemble.

The pluck for trim indicates a sticky housing. The RD spring isn't string enough to overcome the viscosity of the lube, or friction and needs some extra help. Pull it apart and use a very light oil in the housings after first using a brake cable to push out any excess grease.

Sometimes folks who over-oil their levers, migrate some grease/oil mix to the area around the spring ring, causing sluggish return to trim after the overshift. If that's the cause, the lever might need to be taken apart and cleaned, but wait until you've confirmed that the housings aren't the issue.

The housings are brand spanking new and I didn't lube them.
I suppose the routing could be an issue, but the curves look smooth, and all the entry points are straight.
I guess I need to tear down the lever and rebuild.

I'm in the process of having one of my Ergo RD levers repaired due to a cracked G-spring carrier. This problem together with broken G-springs is somewhat common (apparently). One of the symptoms is absence of a pronounced "click" from the smallest cog to the next larger cog (11t to 12t in my case). The problem will progress and the vagueness start to manifest on larger cogs. The parts are not expensive (relatively speaking) if this does turn out to be your problem.

no mushy shifting on me.
I had that issue with another bike and replaed the g string carrier no problem.

no mushy shifting on me.
I had that issue with another bike and replaed the g string carrier no problem.

Care to elaborate on this procedure? :lol:

It really needs no elaboration, but if you must, pm me and I'll send you some pictures :)

This is a new setup on an older bike: Campy 10 speed cassette, chain, RR derailleur (2011 Veloce), ergo lever (used, ebay), and Jagwire cables.

When in the mid range rear, either chainring, when shifting to larger cogs, there is a slight over shift due to the human operator on the shift lever action. In a perfectly smooth system, the overshift would self-correct and instantly drop into perfect alighment on the cog. In this case, the overshift sticks, and I have to pluck the cable like a voilin string for it to drop into place. There is no stickiness at all when shifting to smaller cogs.

I released the cable from the derraileur and evaluated if any kinks in cable action - there were none. Also, the derraileur itself moves smoothly in and out. This makes me think the shift lever is hanging up within the mechanism.

Does anybody have any insight?

Thank you,

Campagnolo's procedure to set up rear shifting is to set the high gear (small sprocket) limit with the Ergo lever at zero; then shift to the low gear (large sprocket) and set the limit screw; and finally shift to the fourth sprocket (from the smallest) and adjust the tension to align the jockey wheel on the sprocket.

If that doesn't index the gears correctly, you have a cable problem or a shifter problem. I've read that the Campy systems are pretty particular about friction because the 10s rear derailleurs have weak return springs. Are you sure the Jagwire cable set is correct for the Campagnolo 10s system?

The gears index correctly. The Jagwire cable set is actually a Shimano set, but I was able to rework the barrel ends so they fit in the campy levers. I will be following FBinNY suggestion when I get a free moment to work on it.

... I will be following FBinNY suggestion when I get a free moment to work on it.

Good idea. IIRC, he has a lot of Campy specific experience.