Caliper

I've been wondering about Campy components lately. I've got SRAM doubletap shifters on my main road bike currently. I really like the SRAM system however, I've also got a nice older Raleigh frame made of a quality tubeset that would really benefit from an upgrade from friction shifting to ergo shifters and Campy seems appropriate since the frame already uses Campy dropouts. At least, that's the excuse I'm using...


Anyways, my concern is with the thumb shifter. With the SRAM system, I can make shifts from the brake hoods easily just using a finger even while standing. With the Campy though, I'm picturing having to use the heel of my palm to bump the thumb lever when riding on the hoods? How well does it work?

dabac

Huh?


The right shifter has the thumb button on the left, the left shifter has the thumb button on the right.


Well within reach as long as your "on the hoods" position has you kinda-sorta holding the shifters. Simply sweep the thumb down on the inside and it'll pretty much land on the button. Push, and you're done.

Edit:
During the ride home two things occurred:
1) I understood your question
2) I realized my Campy-visualizing skills sucks

What I do - which apparently comes so naturally to me I havent thought about it - is to slide my hand back 2-3", which drops my thumb neatly onto the button. Push, slide hand back, and done.

Caliper

When I say "on the hoods" my hands are like this (not my pic). I'd need double jointed thumbs to reach the Campy lever with my thumb. This is my primary hand position when climbing, especially while standing. I've usually got several fingers and my thumb wrapped around the body of the brake lever with 1-2 fingers in front.









What you're describing sounds like what I would call being "on the ramps" with my hand further up the bar from the above pic. That would work easily for the thumb, but that's more of a relaxed riding position to me, not a power position.

himespau 

The thumb lever is right where the thumb is in that picture. It's no problem at all to reach and shift. Super easy to reach from the drops too, and not too bad on the ramps. If your hand is on or near the hoods, it's doable.

blacknbluebikes 

IMO, my Campy Record thumb levers are very natural to use, especially from the hoods. If you'e on a bike where those thumb levers aren't within 1-1.5 cm of your thumb's normal position, it really sounds like something is "kaflooey" with the lever installation.

Also note that the thumb lever is the "release" relative to the ratchet, not the "lift/pull" of the cable against the derailleur spring, so there's very very little torque required for activation, anyway,

Warren128

Like others have said, the thumb lever is in the correct position even in that sample picture that you posted, and the throw on the thumb lever is very short and easy to actuate, so you shouldn't have a problem. You wouldn't normally have too tight a grip on the hoods anyway, right? It is fast and easy to tap that thumb lever.

I did the same thing that you're thinking of doing to your Raleigh

SkyDog75

Like the other guys are saying, it's easy to reach the thumb button on Campagnolo levers from the hoods.

Spaghetti Legs 

I went from Shimano to Campy years ago because I liked the ergonomics better; for me easier to shift both from the drops as well as the hoods. The entire mechanism is a little smaller too so fits my normal sized hand better.

I would not anticipate any problems, I usually use a light flick of the thumb. The big exaggerated movement of the thumb is used to dump 5 or 6 cogs, which can't even be done with Shimano ( I don't have much experience with SRAM).

lostarchitect 

I almost solely ride on the hoods, and I have no problem with the thumb lever. Don't worry about it, you will be fine.

I'd say they're much easier to use on the hoods than in the drops, actually.

CliffordK

I find my Campy shifters to be very responsive and very easy to use.

Perhaps my only complaint is some ghost shifting on the front derailleur. I'm not quite sure, perhaps something is a little worn in the shifter, but it doesn't take much of a bump for it to drop a sprocket.

horatio 

This.

Caliper

You don't grip them hard? The hoods are my main climbing position, so I am usually pulling on the bars with reasonable force.

I played around with my SRAM levers and paid attention to how my fingers fall... Index finger goes in front of the lever, middle and ring wrap around the lever body and pinky goes down against the side of the handlebar. My thumb wraps around the other side and is touching the first knuckle on the middle finger.

But, Bike Forums has clearly spoken! My fears are allayed. I figure since the bike has Shimano 600 currently, it needs Chorus as a replacement (even used Record runs more than I can justify). Now, to decide on the classic looks of 8sp ergopower or go (nearly) fully modern with 10 speed?

gearbasher

If your climbing hard, odds are you won't be using the thumb lever to shift. That would put you into a smaller cog. You would be up-shifting with the lever. Then using the thumb on a descent. Unless, you're not already in your small chainring. Then you'd be using the left thumb.

Caliper

You never stand while climbing to speed up? My usual pattern would be that I'm seated, on the hoods, click an upshift and stand on the next downstroke. Then, depending on how I'm doing, I may hit another upshift while standing before returning to the saddle.

gregf83 

Trust what everyone is saying. Campy grips were designed to shift from the hoods. No special thumb movements required and not a problem shifting with a tight grip.

gearbasher

I never stand on a climb. I spin seated with my hands on the tops of the bars. If I need to shift, I reach over. I actually prefer down tube shifters when climbing. But, ergos are much easier everywhere else, so that's all I have.

And, I was just going by you stating a "hard " climb, with a firm grip and pulling up on the bars. If I'm on a climb like that, there is no way I'm speeding up.

All I use is Campy ergos (9 & 10) with no problems unless my arthritis is acting up (it runs in the family..thanks mom and dad).

RobbieTunes

I have no problem with Campy's inner lever, hoods or drops. Harder to explain than just say "no problem."

dim

I go much faster up hills when I stand

Caliper

Ok, I gotcha now. We're just talking across an age gap is all. . I sit and spin more than I used to, but still plenty of places to attack when I'm having fun.

Road Fan

I did think your thumb looks a little constricted, but if you just move your hand back a few millimeters that will be relieved. For me I've been using Gen 2 Ergopower levers for about 5 year now after about 40 years of riding DT friction, and I find it as easy as pie, for any pedaling condition. And I do grip the hoods hard and pull up when I climb or jam, like you.

If you're new to them, allow some time for practice and acclimation.