Big ring shifting problems-- help?
04-26-14, 08:12 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Big ring shifting problems-- help?
I got a new bike recently, a 94 Cannondale, and am having trouble shifting, so I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. It's possible something on the bike needs adjustment, in which case I can take it back to be adjusted for free, but I'm not sure that's the case. Fwiw, it's a 10-speed with Campagnolo components (inc shifters), so the rear ring is indexed and the front ring is not.
My right hand shifts just fine. No issues. On the left though, shifting up is labored and I sort of have to hold the lever over while it *****s and chunks until it finally jumps up a gear, and even then seems unhappy about it, and sometimes pops back down. Once up, shifting back down works okay, so it's mostly just shifting up a gear with my left hand that seems to work so poorly. I've tried pedaling harder/less hard in case that is somehow related.
Anyway, does it sound like I'm being an idiot and doing something wrong or like some sort of adjustment is needed?
Thanks
My right hand shifts just fine. No issues. On the left though, shifting up is labored and I sort of have to hold the lever over while it *****s and chunks until it finally jumps up a gear, and even then seems unhappy about it, and sometimes pops back down. Once up, shifting back down works okay, so it's mostly just shifting up a gear with my left hand that seems to work so poorly. I've tried pedaling harder/less hard in case that is somehow related.
Anyway, does it sound like I'm being an idiot and doing something wrong or like some sort of adjustment is needed?
Thanks
04-26-14, 08:15 AM
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,222
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,245 Times
in
623 Posts
I can take it back to be adjusted for free
^^^
^^^
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
Last edited by 10 Wheels; 04-26-14 at 08:22 AM.
04-26-14, 08:20 AM
#3
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
It's possible that the high limit screw is in a little too far, and needs to come out 1/2 turn or so. Or that the angle of the derailleur is off a bit.
Front shifts work best when you ease up a bit so the derailleur is not fighting your extra chain tension.
Go for the free adjustment and ask them to explain what was wrong.
Ps. Wasn't that bike 8 speed ? (or am I getting mixed up)
Front shifts work best when you ease up a bit so the derailleur is not fighting your extra chain tension.
Go for the free adjustment and ask them to explain what was wrong.
Ps. Wasn't that bike 8 speed ? (or am I getting mixed up)
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
04-26-14, 08:30 AM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Er, yes, it's an 8-speed... I have no idea why I wrote 10. Wasn't thinking.
And I certainly can and will bring it back, I just wanted to make sure that its necessary and not me, like, pushing the lever the wrong way or something.
And I certainly can and will bring it back, I just wanted to make sure that its necessary and not me, like, pushing the lever the wrong way or something.
04-26-14, 09:17 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,415
Bikes: 2010 Litespeed Icon, 1987 Nishiki Olympic 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Either the limit screws are off or there is too much/too little cable tension.
Take it back and have them turn something.
Take it back and have them turn something.
04-26-14, 01:53 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 3,659
Bikes: Colnago Master XL, Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Marinoni Fango
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What is your cadence while your shifting? Usually the faster the better.
04-26-14, 07:54 PM
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So, turns out it was a two-part issue. One being some cable stretch and the other being some sort of shifter issue. They'd have had to take the whole thing apart and rebuild it, so instead of making us wait, they replaced it with another campy shifter (from a higher tier with an aluminum lever, I guess). Works fine now.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RideJBRide
Bicycle Mechanics
5
12-26-10 12:22 PM
