View Full Version : Frozen Ergolevers?!? - Chorus 11
OtayBW
11-27-2010, 03:00 PM
Hello there -
For the last ~week, my right lever started sticking when downshifting and upshifting. I could kind of wiggle it back free for a while, but then it would lock up again. Seemed to be working ~alright by the end of the ride, but on the next ride, the left lever started sticking in both directions. It basically failed the whole ride.
Today, I changed out the shift cable for the FD and that SOB was still - at least sporadically - stuck. This all seems to have started when the weather got cooler. Bike is kept indoors, though.
Anyone know what's going on with this or how to fix? I've got ~3500-4000 miles on this group, and I'd hate to think I need shifter rebuilds after only that.
Thanks.
OTBW/Steve
Most often, the problem is the thumb lever rubbing on the brake hood and not reaching it's fully-up position. If that happens the finger lever won't work. All you need to do is pull down on the lower edge of the brake hood to open up the slit in the hood.
Also, if you accidentally apply some pressure to the finger lever with a gloved finger and then try to use the thumb button, it won't work. Only one can be pushed at a given time.
OtayBW
11-27-2010, 03:39 PM
Most often, the problem is the thumb lever rubbing on the brake hood and not reaching it's fully-up position. If that happens the finger lever won't work. All you need to do is pull down on the lower edge of the brake hood to open up the slit in the hood.
Also, if you accidentally apply some pressure to the finger lever with a gloved finger and then try to use the thumb button, it won't work. Only one can be pushed at a given time.I actually have the brake hood pulled back on the lever where I just changed the cable, and the thumb button seems to be well clear of anything. It is kind of a hard lock up, like what might happen when shifting lever and thumb together as you say - but I really don't think that's what's happening. Oh well - if I can't figure it out tonight, it's Bike B for tomorrow's ride.
Thanks Dave.
The upside is that the levers are very simple to disassemble, compared to earlier models, but Campy no longer sells individual parts for ultrashift levers. If some small part is broken, you have to buy a major assembly that has all parts, except the brake lever, band clamp and brake hood. That should be $125 or less. I have some parts left from a wreck damaged 11S right lever.
Also, don't reuse a shift cable. The difference in the bend is likely to cause friction problems. Reusing a fairly new cable housing is OK, but so is using a cheap 2 foot piece of Shimano 4mm housing, as a replacement.
Ralph
11-27-2010, 07:46 PM
Would spraying some real lube around in there help? I don't mean WD 40 except maybe to clean it out some. I have some white lithium grease I spray around in there couple times a year, and it seems to make operation smoother. But since they are not apart, and I don't really know what I'm doing, not sure. It would be smart on my part to disassemble some levers sometime so I know what can be benefitted by some lube. I have both new 2010 Centaur Ultra's and older 9 Ergo's.
The place to put some lube would be a single drop at the thumb button pivot and perhaps the finger lever pivot.
For the internals, you can see the two discs that need lube between them by looking at the underside, where the teeth that engage the thumb button are located. These two discs are held together by the force of the two diaphragm springs. Applying a drop or two of light lube between the discs, with the bike hung from the back wheel is a good idea.
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=154068&highlight=inside+2009+ergopower
Ralph
11-28-2010, 03:34 PM
The place to put some lube would be a single drop at the thumb button pivot and perhaps the finger lever pivot.
For the internals, you can see the two discs that need lube between them by looking at the underside, where the teeth that engage the thumb button are located. These two discs are held together by the force of the two diaphragm springs. Applying a drop or two of light lube between the discs, with the bike hung from the back wheel is a good idea.
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=154068&highlight=inside+2009+ergopower
Thanks....I'm saving it.
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