What mileage out of a campag chainset

[bianchi1]

So...... I have a campag 10 speed centaur (Ultra torque) chainset that seems to have given up the ghost.

My chain looked like it needed changing so on went the new one, and it's all working fine on the 53 ring, but there is a grinding, catching noise when on the small ring. Stick it on the turbo and I can see the chain bouncing up when under load, as if it is being caught by the teeth.

What sort of mileage are folks getting from their campag chainsets? I must admit to not being the most careful cyclist when it comes to maintenance, so accept that a stretched chain has probably cost me a new chainset...but we live and learn.

 

[berty bassett]

i dont know what the norm is but i have mirage and veloce mix on mine and it has done between 14 and 15k miles in 3 years and as far as i can see its still going strong but i admit to being a bit ocd about cleaning and i swap the back wheel a fair bit . i know this is the bottom end of campag but to be honest its worked well for me

 

[gbs]

I think regular cleaning is the key. As an negligent newbie I needed a new chain and cassette after my first season of less than 4.000k. With regular cleaning the new chain lasted for about 12,000k and the cassette for over 20,000k. Centaur kit.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Could it be that the grinding indicates you need to adjust the front derailleur?

 

[HLaB]

I've not worn out the campag on my bianchi but with my FSA cranks, Planet X Wheels and SRAM cassette unless its perfect I get a tiny bit of movement which causes crank rub or the the chain to sit uneasy on the cranks. I thought it was the cranks until I put Mavic wheels and a Ultegra cassette on and the problem was non existent; made me think it was the cassette/wheel combo.

FWIW the crank must be in the region of 26,000 miles

 

[booze and cake]

I've got a 10 speed chorus ultratorque compact chainset, and like the OP I am slack when it comes to cleaning and maintenance and ride things to destruction.

I'm not sure about Centaur but surely the cranks should last for ages and you can just change the rings can't you? My cranks are still going fine, I had a similar jumping effect and took it the local bike shop, they described my chainrings as 'rinsed' (and not as in rinse after cleaning) which I think means I got as much out of them was possible. This was at 30,000km along with about 4 chains and 3 cassettes and 3 bottom brackets.

I hope you are sitting down before you check out the prices of new campag chainrings, about 100 notes for the big ring alone Other options are available, I got some TA rings that are campag ultra torque compatitble and decided to go from a 50-34 to a 52-36 as they fit the same cranks and I much prefer this ratio, but thats just me. Both rings came to just over 100 quid I think, and amazingly the cheapest place I found to buy them was Halfrauds, they didnt have any in store but it was a click and collect option for next day delivery. And whatever you do don't lose the chainring bolts as again the campag ones are eye wateringly expensive.

 

[bianchi1]

I've got a 10 speed chorus ultratorque compact chainset, and like the OP I am slack when it comes to cleaning and maintenance and ride things to destruction.

I'm not sure about Centaur but surely the cranks should last for ages and you can just change the rings can't you? My cranks are still going fine, I had a similar jumping effect and took it the local bike shop, they described my chainrings as 'rinsed' (and not as in rinse after cleaning) which I think means I got as much out of them was possible. This was at 30,000km along with about 4 chains and 3 cassettes and 3 bottom brackets.

I hope you are sitting down before you check out the prices of new campag chainrings, about 100 notes for the big ring alone Other options are available, I got some TA rings that are campag ultra torque compatitble and decided to go from a 50-34 to a 52-36 as they fit the same cranks and I much prefer this ratio, but thats just me. Both rings came to just over 100 quid I think, and amazingly the cheapest place I found to buy them was Halfrauds, they didnt have any in store but it was a click and collect option for next day delivery. And whatever you do don't lose the chainring bolts as again the campag ones are eye wateringly expensive.

I think I am in exactly the same situation. Around 35000 miles, three bottom brackets and 4/5 chains.

I will try and ride this new chain into submission! Otherwise I think your plan to just chage the rings is best as my carbon cranks are fine. Strangely the cheepset way of buying two campy chainrings is to buy a complete crankset (I have found an alloy one for 120 quid) remove the rings and have a spare set of alloy cranks!

 

[accountantpete]

The original problem was just chain suck which is a common occurrence with Campy small rings.

It can be caused by chain wear or even just muck on the chainring.

I just give the chainring a good clean and then add a good squirt of oil - it usually does the trick.

 

[Paul.G.]

Sounds more like a chain problem than the crank set and remember folks, Campag wears in, Shimano wears out!

 

[bianchi1]

Sounds more like a chain problem than the crank set and remember folks, Campag wears in, Shimano wears out!

Sadly the chain is brand new and works fine on the 53 ring. As soon as it's in the little ring it is catching on the teeth and bouncing around which seems to be making the noise.

A few more rides like today's 'mud filled lanes epic' might just wear the ring to fit this chain! I fear by then every bearing on the bike will be small cubes grinding around in brown gritty sludge.

 

[Paul.G.]

Probably best to post a photo of the chain set teeth

 

[bianchi1]

 

[bianchi1]

Probably best to post a photo of the chain set teeth

Check these out! ^^^^^

 

[Paul.G.]

Ooops, yep def worn out. Suggest you change it before it wears your new chain and rear block. Looks like a trip to the bike shop tomorrow.

 

[bianchi1]

Ooops, yep def worn out. Suggest you change it before it wears your new chain and rear block. Looks like a trip to the bike shop tomorrow.

Will be ordering a new crankset tomorrow. Shame really as I was planning a new frame and group set for the spring/summer, so a few more months would have been a bonus. It's not a case of worrying about wearing the new chain or rear block ( it's made up of spares on a winter wheel), it's the thought of something snapping as I push hard on the pedals, throwing me off into a ditch!