Frustrations with Campagnolo
 

True, you make wonderfully designed and solidly performing parts but sometimes you frustrate me so much, Campagnolo.

Case in point:

As I was about to finish my very first Italian build, I notice that one of these guides are missing. They're not secured to the levers and just sit there until one day they just fall out and become lost forever. Either this project is cursed or I've had some bad karma since this bike is now on indefinite hold.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8...5e3c534383.jpg

*Sigh* I guess I just needed to vent....

Are you just missing one? I'm pretty sure there's a single one of these living at my local co-op. They're only open weekends but I'm always looking for an excuse to stop by there ;). I could grab it for you pretty cheap I'm sure...

-Andy

I need one of those as well do you think you could get a couple?

Sorry, pretty sure it was just a single one I saw out there. I'll ask though...

I just bought a pair on ebay (abt. 6 weeks ago). There was another pair for sale at the same time but they were quite a bit more expensive that the pair I bought. I wonder if they turn up on ebay regularly?

I love Campagnolo but those little guides are very easy to loose - silly design.

Yes, Campagnolo, you tend to shoot yourself in the foot sometimes.

Your Power Torque crankset looks nice and works. Installation requires two tools: external bb wrench and a 14mm hex key. However, removal requires 2 more: the proper Campy insert and a 3-prong gear puller with prongs slim enough to fit between the crank arm and the external BB.

And your 10-sp chain tool: works great for selling Connex-Wipperman chains, 3 of which are cheaper than your tool.

Here's another frustration:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3283/3...5dff71272d.jpg

*Shudder* Glad I haven't had this experience...yet.

Then there's C-Record with the odd size Allen key for the Delta cable fixing bolt, the left hand threaded crank extractor and the dedicated dust cap removers for the hubs and don't ever get me started on Syncro...

Campagnolo !! To get the flow of good karma while working on such things, and in addition to the correct tools, it helps if you are listening to either Luciano Pavarotti, Mario Lanza, or at the very least some Frank Sinatra. A break taken for some good pasta, bread and wine will enhance things as well. Be sure to light a candle in your small St.Ghisallo shrine too. If the frustration level gets too high, put down the bike tools and go take a spin on your well tuned Colnago or other fine Italian Bicicletta !

It's akin to eating bangers&mash, listening to the Beattles and downing a pint or three, then spinning spanners on your Raleigh Lenton or Carlton....just a bit more refined ! God Save the Queen !

Joe

Note the above and the loose cable guide are all from the 1980's and most of that post Tullio.
While Tullio was not perfect, he did have a good sense of what worked.

I avoided the first generation aero levers as you had to cut that mouse hole for the cable (unless you drilled the bars) and the mechanical advantage went south. If the client really really wanted aero levers we sold him on Dia Compe's, almost all like the shape better too.

I've sold off most of my DA equipped bicycles at this point.

Why?

Nine and ten speed Chorus gruppos.

Various eight speed Campy combos as well.

Other than being gouged on chain tools, zero complaints.

Bulletproof for me.

If my Victory self-extractors ever broke I'd have to pull the cranks with a pickle fork and dustbin 'em.

Sure are pretty and light for a $10 swap meet find, though.

Good news - They just gave it to me since I'm the only one they know who even knew what it is! And, it even comes in a fancy little bag;)
Bad(?) news - Looks a little different than your pic. Is it the same part? Will it work? What's the deal here, experts?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=285365

-Andy

Have you used the 10spd chain tool? It's one of the finest tools to ever grace my hands. That coupled with the chain life on $30-35 centaur chains makes it pay off over time.

I may or may not have the LH extractor as well ;) Found a NOS one at a price I couldn't pass up. I haven't used it yet, but my love for 80s campy cranks will eventually warrant it.

Ok, I give; what are they? I've used Campy for decades and never even seen those.

Goes in the brake lever. They're just a guide. No idea why they don't have it made into the lever body itself.

Bingo. PM'd.

I never understood that either because you can run the non aero with or without this thing installed. You could do aero without it but it is real muushy.

Yea, without it, the cable rubs against a sharp part of the lever body. Would probably cut through if used long enough.

No law says you have to use the Campy chain tool. You guys are just looking for reasons to gripe. I asked my LBS (the good one) if they use it. They said they have one, but most of the techs use a $40 Park. I bought one, and even I can install chains with it. It works the same as any other chain tool, they said.

I forgot who, but there is a company making snap together master links for the Campagnolo 10 and 11 speed drive trains, from a close up they look decently secure.

I don't recall exactly, but I think I'm using it on my Mondonico. No separations.

I've got those in my levers - without them you can still use the same levers, but as non-aero. There are tiny little round plugs at the top that plug the top entry cable holes when you've got them set up as aero. So, a dual-purpose lever, can be used for top entry or aero cable routing. A transition part in the evolution of bicycles?

KMC quick links are reuseabe, and I've never had a failure. I have at least 10 bikes in the family on the Campy 10 version.

Non issue.

Note that I said zero complaints.

I rarely buy bicycle tools. If I need one, I stop by the shop.

Once I get my workshop rebuilt after the remodel here, it will have about 80% of the same tools the lbs has for their customers.

The Campy tool is expensive and one can't have everything.

Our shop uses the Campy tool btw.

SRAM 10-speed connector links work fine on Campy 10-speed chains. I don't know what works with eleven speed. And FWIW, KMC 10-speed connector links work fine on Shimano 10 speed chains. :)