I replaced the cable for my Chorus (double) front derailleur, I have Record ('02) Ergopower levers.

Everything works fine, however, before when shifting from the big to the little ring it just took one click with the thumb lever and it jumped onto the ring. Now I have to push down all the way to the left and let it ratchet as it drops. I took in all the slack on the cable when it was on the small ring and fine tuned with the barrel adjuster. I'm wondering if this is the way it's supposed to work and maybe before it wasn't (?).

It should have about 3-4 clicks in either direction depending on your cable tension. I like to set them up with 3 clicks. This way you get one trim position for each chain ring.

(you can slightly influence the desired trim position with tension adjustment)

...before when shifting from the big to the little ring it just took one click with the thumb lever and it jumped onto the ring....I'm wondering if this is the way it's supposed to work and maybe before it wasn't (?).

Correct, before it wasn't. Having 3-4 clicks to shift gives you trim adjustment. That is the way my shifters work.

It should have about 3-4 clicks in either direction depending on your cable tension. I like to set them up with 3 clicks. This way you get one trim position for each chain ring.

(you can slightly influence the desired trim position with tension adjustment)

I've brought in all the slack using my downtube barrel adjuster and I have to push the thumb lever all the way down to the left to get into the small ring. Before it was just one click and the chain dropped. Hmmm.... maybe I need one of those Park 4th hand cable tighteners to get all the slack out, I used plyers...(?) Also- I put the chain on the small ring in front when bringing in the slack, but does it make a difference what gear you are as far as getting all the slack out in a new cable?

You should be able to take out enough slack by pulling the cable with your hand while tightening down the derailleur cinch bolt. The trick is to have your barrel adjuster screwed in relatively far, leaving more than sufficient adjustment to bring the tension up.

Yes, it's much easier/better to be in the small ring when attaching the cable. For the rear put it in the smallest cog as well when attaching the cable. Same story here as above. Use the barrel adjuster to bring in the tension. No need for pliers or special 3rd hand devices.

Shouldn't he also be sure that the thumb shifter has been shifted all the way down before tightening the cable bolt?

Shouldn't he also be sure that the thumb shifter has been shifted all the way down before tightening the cable bolt?


Holding the thumb lever down and bringing in the slack with the cable fixing bolt was the fix. The only problem is unless you have extremely long arms this is kind of hard to do. I had my wife hold down the thumb lever and I brought in the slack. I read everthing I could get my hands on about replacing front der cable for Campy Ergo's and nothing was mentioned about holding down the thumb lever. I should have asked here first, it would have saved me a lot of time.


Thanks to all who responded.

Dino

Holding the thumb lever down and bringing in the slack with the cable fixing bolt was the fix. The only problem is unless you have extremely long arms this is kind of hard to do. I had my wife hold down the thumb lever and I brought in the slack. I read everthing I could get my hands on about replacing front der cable for Campy Ergo's and nothing was mentioned about holding down the thumb lever. I should have asked here first, it would have saved me a lot of time.


Thanks to all who responded.

Dino

To attach the cable to the front derailleur, the lower limit screw should first be adjusted to avoid chain rub in the little ring and larget cog, with the thumb lever shifted to the lowest position. It does not need to be held down. Screw the barrel adjuster all the way down. Then attach the cable, pulling the cable tight with pliers, before tightening the clamp bolt. Tighten the barrel adjuster until the first click on the inner lever moves the the derailleur. That should do it. On a triple, more tension is needed to insure a one-sweep of the innner lever shift from the little to middle ring. I keep tightening until the middle to little ring shift won't happen, then back off a bit.

To attach the cable to the front derailleur, the lower limit screw should first be adjusted to avoid chain rub in the little ring and larget cog, with the thumb lever shifted to the lowest position. It does not need to be held down. Screw the barrel adjuster all the way down. Then attach the cable, pulling the cable tight with pliers, before tightening the clamp bolt. Tighten the barrel adjuster until the first click on the inner lever moves the the derailleur. That should do it. On a triple, more tension is needed to insure a one-sweep of the innner lever shift from the little to middle ring. I keep tightening until the middle to little ring shift won't happen, then back off a bit.


Maybe I did this ass backwards, but it works like a champ now.....it works exactky the way you describe...I guess I should have mentioned that this is a brand new ('02) Chorus derailleur and new cable.....actually it wasn't that hard to get it right, but I'm just used to have things a certain way......