dyllabox

I'm very new to the bike world so I apologize if this question/problem seems remedial to some.

My Campagnolo Chorus 9 right shifter doesn't operate correctly. I've been told that it is probably the ratchet. So, should I...

1) buy a another that is exactly the same

2) buy a different model (upgrade)? But then, what is compatible?

3) fix the shifter



Any and all advice is super appreciated. I really like riding the bike and being a part of the bicycle community feels great. If I could just get this shifter fixed....

Andrew R Stewart 

Is the shifter an Ergo lever one? Pointy or rounded hoods? Describe the actual problem please. The common one is when the G springs are worn and sometimes the spring carrier's post breaks off the ring. Both are very fixable. Andy.

Drew Eckhardt 

If by "not correctly" you mean it won't stay in gear that's the G-springs and/or carrier. The parts are inexpensive so you want to replace both G-springs and carrier when you have the shifter apart. Re-taping the handlebars is the hardest part.

$15 shipped for two sets of G-springs
Amazon.com: Campagnolo Ergolever Right Index Spring 4-Pack: Sports & Outdoors

$6 shipped for one carrier
Amazon.com: Campagnolo Ergo Right Hand Index Spring Carrier 98-06 Accepts 04-06 Record Ultra: Sports & Outdoors

or $9 shipped for a convenient 5-pack
Amazon.com : Campagnolo Ergo Right Hand Index Spring Carrier 98-06, Pack of 5 : Bike Shifters And Parts : Sports & Outdoors

Stocking up would be prudent - Campagnolo discontinued the small parts for the earlier pointy-hood ergo levers apart from the G-springs (the later carrier is supposed to work if you cut off the post on early shifters without the clock spring), and eventually the thumb + front return + paddle springs fatigue and fail.

dyllabox

Super thanks for the info.

@ Andrew:

I did a quick google search 'Campignolo ergo shifter' and I saw two varieties. Mine is the pointy one.

The problem is that it won't stay in gear. So when I hit a bump, often I will hear a 'click' and then the rear derailleur upshifts to a smaller burr/cog (I hope I'm using the right terminology). Also, I can't get into a low gear (large burr/cog) because when I release the finger lever (after shifting), the derailleur moves back to its previous position. Lastly, sometimes the shifter doesn't move the derailleur at all unless I push the shifter all the way. But then, the derailleur will follow the finger lever back and instead of down shifting (moving to larger cogs/burrs) 5 gears, I only downshifted 1 or 2.

Thanks again for your advice. I really appreciate it.

dyllabox

It won't stay in gear, but it also sometimes doesn't move the derailleur at all. And when shifting, the derailleur often follows the finger lever back to its resting position. Basically, I can shift, but as I let go of the finger lever, the derailleur moves back as well.

Thanks a lot for the advice. I'd like to fix it, but this will be my first endeavor into fixing anything bike related.

Drew Eckhardt 

That's a G-spring and/or carrier problem.

The G-springs (EC-RE209) have a leg which engages detents on the index cam (EC-RE061). That leg can break off from fatigue or wear down from abrasion at which point its grip isn't tenacious enough. Tension also drops when the carrier (EC-RE111) cracks as in this photo.



If the lever won't move your thumb button is probably partially engaged, often from hood slot that's not in the right place because it's come loose or stretched out. That locks up the shifter solid.

If the lever moves problems with the tiny spring in the lever (EC-RE228) can mean the pawl doesn't engage the front ratchet. The same spring keeps the shift paddle in the forward position against the break lever; and when it breaks due to fatigue that won't happen.



Unfortunately the spring is part of the lever and not sold separately; although for me it was the last to wear out.

Sounds like you only have a G-spring/carrier problem. You can only shift 3 cogs larger with one lever actuation, although with that not sticking you could end up with 0-2.

dyllabox

The G spring was broken.

Because this was my first ever fix on a bike, it took about 2 hours, but it wasn't too hard.

Thanks for your help. You saved me about $100 and I fixing it was enjoyable.

I've attached a photo of the broke spring. And the carrier (I think) is in the photo too. I must have bought the wrong one because this one didn't fit and it different than the one being used now. The old one doesn't have that perpendicular "arm" and thus isn't compatible.

If you ever need advice about Poland, or teaching English as a second language, let me know. I'll be happy to give you some good advice.

Ryan

Drew Eckhardt 

You have the 1997 levers for which the small parts apart from G-springs and left spring carrier have been discontinued.

I've heard that you can cut the post off, but never tried that (I moved on to 10 cogs after I broke the front return spring).