Two Ergopower Questions

The shifting on my Chorus Ergo levers is sloppy. I was starting to
contemplate replacing my rear derailleur (I posted yesterday), but from I
what I can tell, it works fine. For the record, I am running vintage
'97/'98 Ergopower levers and rear derailleur.

First: The ferrules that meet the cablestops on my Merckx frame keep
splitting. I've had two sets split on my Majestic (the stops are welded on
to the headtube). Is the housing too short/long? In addition, when I turn
the handlebars, I hear a clicking noise coming from the cablestops (Yes, I
am sure of this.)

Second: How do I optimize my shifting? Should the housing be cut so that
the left and right overlap in front of the headtube? Or should they not
intersect at all, that is to say, as short and straight as possible?

As usual, thank you.

David queried, in part:

Second: How do I optimize my shifting? Should the housing be cut so that
the left and right overlap in front of the headtube? Or should they not
intersect at all, that is to say, as short and straight as possible?

David:

You want to minimize the tightest of the bends. That is, that when you
run your housing, one very tight bend is enough to 'queer the deal' so
to speak. A smooth arc, which I have achieved with downtube stops and
cables crossing in front of the head tube. Depending on your cablestop
locations, stem length, where you end your bar tape (which defines
where your arc begins) and frame geometry, you may or may not have the
housing crossed in front of the head tube for the freeest (I've always
wondered if there was a word with three e's in a row) cable motion
therein.

And regarding your clicking cablestops - that suggests to me that your
housing is too short.

D'ohBoy

David Peake wrote:
The shifting on my Chorus Ergo levers is sloppy. I was starting to
contemplate replacing my rear derailleur (I posted yesterday), but from I
what I can tell, it works fine. For the record, I am running vintage
'97/'98 Ergopower levers and rear derailleur.

First: The ferrules that meet the cablestops on my Merckx frame keep
splitting. I've had two sets split on my Majestic (the stops are welded on
to the headtube). Is the housing too short/long? In addition, when I turn
the handlebars, I hear a clicking noise coming from the cablestops (Yes, I
am sure of this.)

Make sure the housing IS long enough and run the der housing in front
of the handlebars..to make the 'sweep' smooth enough. Use brass
ferrules..Very tough, I'll send ya some if you wish. Also use 5mm lined
der housing, not 4.5mm Campag stuff or 4mm.


Second: How do I optimize my shifting? Should the housing be cut so that
the left and right overlap in front of the headtube? Or should they not
intersect at all, that is to say, as short and straight as possible?

See above. I look for about an inch of overlap in front of the
headtube. Long is better than too short.

As usual, thank you.