How is everyone's 11spd working?

[jazclrint]

I am really curious of those who have the new 11 speed how things are working out. Before I left for the summer one individual's buddy had issues with his chain wearing out after 300 miles. My buddy has a chorus groupset and he is complaining about the FD not shifting great. But it sounds like a position adjustment issue. I will be riding with him on Monday and I'll give it a look. I'll report back as well. The first I heard from him was that he was going much faster than before. But there was a bike change, and then the switch from ShimaNO to Chorus 11.

So, what are everyone's stories? Many of us would like to know, I'm sure.

Rich

[jp_scruz]

I have a training buddy who raced most of last season with Record 11 on a Cannondale (which ships with Cannondale's crank rather than the "required" Campy crank.) I've heard nothing but good things from him about it. He's a very strong 190lb sprinter, and his previous bike was equipped with Dura-Ace 7800.

I'd guess that your buddy's FD isn't adjusted correctly. If there was a shifting issue, it would have been shaken out by my friend's season of criteriums, never mind the pro tour teams that use the stuff. It if works with the officially incorrect Cannondale crank, it works.

[gene r]

I have 1000 miles on a Chorus 11 speed and would rate it like this.

CRANKS-By far stiffer then previous 9 speed Record crank. I am trying to isolate an occasional creak I'm hearing. I placed a piece of electrical tape at the very end of the crank since it scratches so easily.

BRAKES-I like the brakes but I wish they would have dialed in a little more grab. My record brakes were easier to modulate. I understand they have a new pad for 2011. I'm going to get them as soon as they're available.

ERGO LEVERS-By far the most comfortable lever I've ever used. Love that "horn" design. It is very difficult to ride my Medici which is equipped with old Campy levers. How did anyone with a large hand use these things? OK problem. The thumb shifter on the right lever has frozen on me a number of times. Just wouldn't move. After several stabs it moves. Any clues?

FRONT SHIFTER-So far it's been perfect. Shifts with little effort and does not rub with ANY gear combination.

REAR-Can't figure out what the problem is here. On One or two of the bigger cogs it seems to over shift by about half a gear then drops in. This only happens when shifting from a smaller cog to a larger one. My gut feeling is that there is spacing flaw in the cog set. Any ideas.

CONCLUSION- I have been riding good bikes since 1972 and everyone of them has been equiped with Campy. I currently own a 72 Atala Record with the original Record Gruppo. A custom Medici which I bought in 1977. I restored this bike with Super Record (original) with a polished crank. It looks like a piece of jewelery. And a Steel SLX DeRosa which I bought in 1997. I replaced the 9 speed Record Grouppo with the Chorus 11 speed. I was expecting perfect shifting and so far that has not happened. I am hoping it is just a matter of a small adjustment. I don't think a pro would put up with these glitches so I have to think that that is all it would take. Does anyone out there have any suggestions.

Thanks

Gene

[jazclrint]

Cranks: Yeah, the ultra-torque cranks are awesome, I own a set of the 10speed version. I would just give a double check on the torque of the bolt holding it together. I really would take the effort to use a torque wrench, if you haven't.

Brakes: I really liked the Skeleton Veloce brakes I used to have on my Raleigh. But I was using BBS brake pads (I upgraded to cartridge type).

Rear shifting: I was going to say I had no idea, but then I had a thought. When was the last time you had your derailleur hanger straightened? I noticed my 10 speed was pretty fussy, but my buddy found the 11 speed to be even more so. I'd have that checked/fixed. And make sure they take their time with it if they do have to tweek it. Then, re-adjust the RD. As per the Campy directions, shift it to the 6th cog (middle) and line the pulley wheels up with that cog by using the adjuster barrel on the RD. If you knew that already, then I apologize. I would also let the chain get a bit dirty. I've found my 10 speed doesn't shift as well when it's freshly cleaned and lubed.

[gene r]

Thanks, that's just the kind of advice I was looking for

[gene r]

Well I had the hanger checked and it was dead on. The tech said that the fact that the screws in my drop outs were turned all the way in that that put the axel in front of the pivot bolt on the rd and that could effect shifting. So I backed them out. Still getting that little over shift on a couple of cogs. I didn't like the way the bike felt with the wheel moved back to I moved it forward again. Also had the torque checked on the crank and it too was right on however I'm still getting a click a few times a ride. Last but not least my cog thumbshifter will freeze on occasion. I've oiled it but it still has this nasty habit. Why is it so hard to get a good Campy mechanic?

[jazclrint]

Because Campy stuff rarely ever goes wrong, so no one know how to fix it.

Let me think a bit more. I remember getting a clicking sound out of me new UT when I first got them on my Raleigh in '07. I don't remember how I fixed it. I think some of it was the cable end on the FD was just long enough that when I was on the bike it was tapping the pedal or crank arm. Oh, I just remembered. It was my pedal, actually. The newer cranks are so still I think the amplify the sound.

[jazclrint]

Actually this would be a great question to post to Josh Boggs on Velo reviews, He's a professional bike wrench, I know he knows his Campy, even though he doesn't work on it as much as he does ShimaNO and SRAM. Go to Veloreviews.com, sign up and post the question in the Pro Wrench forum. If you question gets picked for the Podcast, you might even win a prize.

Tell 'em I sent you.

Rich

[gene r]

OK Rich I'll do that

Thanks

[jazclrint]

Hey Gene,
Did you ever get your 11spd dialed?
Thanks

[crispi]

put new chorus 11 on a spc project black tarmac sl3 last summer, raced it hard with my 404 tubies (bike is not uci legal! o yeh!) and it is dead on. just built up a spc allez comp (alu, is same geometry as race rig) with new athena 11 (2012 athena black finish, dual pivots front and rear) as the winter trainer/commuter and that rig is smooth as silk.
at the shop, we check even the new bike builds for der. hanger alignment, in reference to an earlier post regarding shifting issues.
also, wheel brands have specific spacer requirements behind the freehub body when moving from 8/9/10 to 11 speed, e.g. zipp requires two 0.25 mm spacers where the older speeds use only one.
another consideration on new gruppo or drivetrain builds is to go and ride the thing, put 20, 40 miles on it to let the new chain mate to the cogs in the rear and allow everything to settle a bit.
i continue to sell off my 10 speed stuff on ebay, mostly cassettes, but am lovin the 11......

[BicycleBill]

I installed 2010 Record in March 2011. Just install, adjust and zero problems for 14,000 ks.
In that time I've only broken a rear shift cable. I swapped the standard chainset for a compact at 12600.
I think I should repack the bearings on the standard. Do you have to pull them to do that?
There is an occasional squeak that seems to come from the rear mech. I assumed it's the jockey wheels but I don't know.
I put a drop of lube on them whenever I do the chain which is once a week or fortnight. That tends to keep it in check somewhat but it comes back.

Re the sticking upshift button: The shifters will freeze if they don't return properly. It may be that your cable is a bit sticky.

[jglantzx2]

I have an 11 speed chorus setup that works super
Also super record, both with kmc 11 speed chains which shift better than campy (my opinion)