Help needed with Campy 3 x 9

[Spinner]

A year ago I switched my Chorus 2 x 9 to a 3 x 9 setup. The 2 x 9 shifted flawlessly, whereas the 3 x 9 rear derailleur gets "chirpy" as the chain skips and jumps cogs in the middle of the cassette. The chain and cassette are NOS.

Any ideas for eliminating the sloppy shifts?

Thanks in advance for you ideas.

[Ken Robb]

Is the rear shifting the same when you are in all 3 rings?

[tellyho]

Did you replace cables and housing when you switched? Also check derailleur hanger.

[Spinner]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

Is the rear shifting the same when you are in all 3 rings?

Yes, although less so in the smallest rings.

In the middle cogs, when I shift to the next largest cog, the shift is made in the shifter, however the derailleur doesn't move enough to engage the next cog. This does not happen in the smallest and largest cogs, only those near the middle.

[Spinner]

Originally Posted by tellyho

Did you replace cables and housing when you switched? Also check derailleur hanger.

No to cable and housing replacement. The drivetrain had spot-on shifting before the change, relatively low mileage too.

I've thought about having the alignment of the hanger checked, although it looks to be good and the frame has not been slammed.

[Ralph]

I run a 3X10 Centaur set up on one of my bikes (Centaur med cage, triple front, centaur 10's shifters, etc) and shifting is pretty much the same as on a Chorus double 2X10 on another bike. I've got pretty good at setting up my triple.

It's most likely just adjustment. Too much cable or not enough. Assuming you got the cassette stops correct. I have found it likes to run with a little slack in derailleur cable when in small cassette cog. If I tighten cable too much, get problem you describe.

[Spinner]

Well, I've been back-and-forth on cable tension adjustments and the shifting remains poor. My next move is off to my lbs for a hanger check holding my long-reach derailleur.

[cnighbor1]

isn't in straight you can get what you desribe
also check the limit screws

[Ralph]

Just don't let the shop tell you they all shift poorly, are impossible to set up, etc.

[donevwil]

Just a couple random ideas:

All housing ends fully bedded in ferrules or stops?

Cassette cogs and spacers assembled correctly (don't recall if 9 spd has spacers of differing thicknesses)?

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Spinner

Well, I've been back-and-forth on cable tension adjustments and the shifting remains poor. My next move is off to my lbs for a hanger check holding my long-reach derailleur.

Since you have checked so much...how does the 'click' in the lever feel? Same clicky-ness? I wonder if the post on the spring carrier has broken, pretty common on older 9s systems before they reinforced that post. A big watch spring is on the back of the lever guts wrapped around that post..When it breaks it goons up the shifting.

[Spinner]

My Rambouillet with Campy 3 x 9 has seen limited use during the last year because of ghost shifting and related chatter.

Last week I decided to change the cassette for the anticipated hills of the Chautauqua Gran Fondo. I noticed that when removing the current cassette the lock ring wasn't particularly tight. Frankly, I've never felt the need to put much torque on lock rings incorrectly figuring that the cassette cogs aren't going to fall off or the like.

When I installed the desired cassette (13-28) I tightened the lock ring more than usual. Then I took a trail ride and much to my surprise, the shifting was flawless.

Perhaps after 50 years of wrenching on my bikes, I really should purchase a torque wrench.

[rwsaunders]

+1

[thwart]

Good to hear you finally figured it out!

Shortly after I got back into cycling (now more than 15 years ago) I had something similar occur. IIRC I was 10 or so miles into a ride with a buddy when the cassette became loose enough to significantly affect shifting… in fact I could literally jiggle the cogs around a bit with my fingers. We’re talking loose.

Had to turn around and limp home. Think I was able to avoid the call of shame.

I’ve made sure that never happens again.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by thwart

I had something similar occur. IIRC I was 10 or so miles into a ride with a buddy when the cassette became loose enough to significantly affect shifting…

That happened to me once, in the remote hills of the Berkshires. I had to tighten the lockring, as best I could, with the tools on hand.

The tools on hand included several stout sticks found by the side of the road.