Record, Part 5

Greetings from New Mexico!

Frank PabianWell, I'm just at 10,000 miles on my all Campy Record 10-speed equipped Trek Postal (2000 model year).  I upgraded to all 2001 for all the parts that were changed this year (pedals, chain, rear single pivot brake, 180 mm cranks, and even added the ergo brain).  I have had absolutely no complaints or serious problems at any time.  Here are the specifics with a few other notes that mirror previous comments by other Campy Only fans.

I just changed my chain for the third time (to the new Teflon coated one). Each chain had lasted me just around 5000 miles of hammerfest riding...Just to give you an example, I just finished the Enchanted Circle Century (100 miles) ride two weeks ago that gains about 5500 feet cresting Bobcat pass at over 9800 feet in 4 hours and 54 minutes...44 minutes faster than last year! Anyway, the second chain had only about a quarter link of stretch over the whole length of chain.  A lot better that what has previously been reported. I also decided to treat every link bearing on the new teflon coated chain with a drop of white teflon oil before riding it.  The result is that it is the quietest and best shifting chain I have ever ridden.  Try it, you'll like it!

A few more chain comments:

1) the new chain (the one with the teflon coating) comes with a much more clearly recognizable (locatable) master link (it is all black on the back side) and 

2) one glitch I always encounter every time I put on a new 10-speed chain. I re-read the instructions that come with the chain regarding determining the best chain length...but the directions don't seem to make any sense to me (so I just use the same number of links as the previous chain which seems to work just fine...I take out about 6 links for a 53/39 with a 12-23 cluster). 

The instructions state (page 8, figure 3 "Installing the chain"): ...check the dimension H (fig. 3) does not exceed 10 ./. 15 mm." (a division symbol is used between the numbers?)  Also Fig 3 just shows "H" as effectively just the height of the lower pulley! These instructions could be a lot more clear.  I hope the folks at Campagnolo in Vicenza are reading this.  (Note from the webmaster:  Branford Bike suggests this easy way to set chain length:  1) put the derailleurs in the small chainring/small cog combination, 2) adjust the chain length so that a line drawn between the pulleys is at a 45-degree angle from horizontal.  Having the chain a little too long is better than too short.  We've tried this, and it works great.)

Click for a larger versionAfter 5000 miles, I have become completely accustomed to the new Pro-Fit Plus pedals, even the so-called float cleats...I switch back and forth between shoes that have the float and no-float cleats...but I don't really sense any difference anymore.    One thing though, as previous writers have complained about how quickly the Pro-Fit cleats wear out with minimal walking, I can testify that this is really true.  In late August, I cycled Click for a larger versionacross New Mexico...500 miles in five days with stops about every 15 miles to pick up trash as part of the New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson's "Trek for Trash" cleanup effort.  I completely wore out two pairs of new cleats during those five days!  (Here are two pictures from that tour taken by Bruce Sommers with a tiny digital camera he carried with him while riding...one of me from the front and one of me from the back alongside the Governor--he's on the right.)

I really like the Ergo Brain computer and all the comments anyone could possibly write have already been written by other Campy only testers (please check those pages for more info).  I often ride early in the morning (pre-dawn) and I really like the orange back-light.  I would like to see a wireless version as well...something to work on...particularly if they could work in the cadence feature wireless as well.   I would imagine that eventually all possible features including power, altitude, heart rate, etc. will be in some future version, but right now it still has plenty of features to keep even a geek happy.  One last comment... I was fixing a flat once in a real hurry and somehow ripped out a wire from the computer so I had to buy a new pick-up unit.  That was a bit of a nuisance, so be careful with those tiny wires. 

I've also gotten used to the single pivot rear brake... but on long, steep, winding descents I rely more than before on the front brake.

I'm going to try to get one of the new Campy carbon seatpost clamps to see what difference it makes compared to the standard one on my Trek.  I haven't had any problems with my carbon seatpost so far.

That's it for now.  Ciao,
Frank Pabian

Campy Only Up Record, Part 1 Record, Part 2 Record, Part 3 Record, Part 4 Record, Part 5 Daytona, Part 1 Daytona, Part 2 Veloce, Part 1 Veloce, Part 2 Veloce, Part 3 Pista, Part 1