Campagnolo Ergo RH Lever - Long travel for 1st Click

I'm having some trouble getting my drive train to index cleanly. Shifters are Campag Ergo 9 Speed When in the smallest rear sprocket, the lever blade has to move quite far across before I feel any tension and it clicks to shift up to the next sprocket. For all subsequent shifts the lever seems to be under tension when in its normal position behind the brake lever blade. Is this normal for ergo shifters or is it a sign of a worn lever/g spring etc? I don't know if this is affecting the indexing or not.

I've pulled the cable through as tight as I can and playing with the derailleur barrel adjuster doesn't seem to affect how soon the lever clicks for the 1st shift, although I tightened the additional adjuster on the down tube cable stop and I thought this did result in a slightly quicker shift but not by much . I've checked the cable as it runs along the chainstay and while not super tight it doesn't feel especially slack.

The shifting is working but seems a bit sloppy and nosier than I'd like. (the chain and cassette and cables are new and the derailleurs are in good condition)

Any insight appreciated !

thanks

Worn spring mount ring?

I wondered that, having never owned a pair from new I don't know how they are supposed to feel . Being 9 speed (2nd gen ) they're probably long overdue a service

http://www.velotech-cycling.ltd.uk/contact.shtml

Thanks, I've tried them a while ago but no reply . Sometimes very quick to reply other times nothing , I guess they're pretty busy

To be honest the indexing may just need someone better than me to set it up, it's working but noisy . I just wondered if that extra travel for the first shift is normal or not ?

I just wondered if that extra travel for the first shift is normal or not ?

Nope.

I only had one pair of Ergo fail on me and that was the ring: it got sloppy in the run-up to failing.

Ok I've bought some new g-springs and a ring carrier , I've watched the rebuild videos and read the online guides repeatedly and am you going to attempt it myself... What's the worst that can happen?!...

It's not worth paying to have them serviced, they also need new hoods and for that combined price I could buy a new set of 10 speed shifters which have cables included. I can live with Powershift for this bike (guess I might have to if I can't get them back together!)

Anything extra worth noting before taking them apart ? Looks like it'll be much easier to hold it in a vice.

The 8 speed Chorus I serviced had a left-hand threaded screw holding everything together (the first one you see when you open the back up).

If memory serves, it was stamped "L".

Off course I don't know if it's the same with yours...

Good tip, thanks I'll be careful !

Spoke to Mercian who were extremely helpful. My understanding from what they said was that there were actually 2 versions of generation 2 (round top) shape ergo levers in 9 speed, the first few years had a slightly different ratchet in them (EC-RE313) that was specifically designed for the matching 9 speed derailleurs. Once 10 speed came in around 2001-2002, the still current 9 speeds got a new ratchet (EC-RE063) that seems to be more compatible with 10 speed derailleurs. At this time Daytona up to Record ergos were offered in both 9 & 10 speed, though 9 speed Veloce and below retained the old ratchet for a year or 2 for some reason.

You can see the 2 part codes in the tech docs. Both work with 10 speed but the earlier ones do not quite work quite as well which may account for the issues. I'm using 10 speed derailleurs so if I have the old ratchet this may account for the sifting being slightly iffy. I think Mercian said the older ratchets have '1' stamped on them so I'll be able to see when I open them up.

Yet another confusing Campagnolo issue!