In this video, we'll show you how to properly size a chain for a Campagnolo derailleur.
Hello, Calvin Jones here, with the Park Tool company.
The Campagnolo chain sizing procedure results in the longest chain the bike can use.
Campagnolo says this procedure gives a feeling of softness in shifting by reducing spring tension at the pulley cage.
You'll need a chain tool to break the chain,
and an 8mm wrench to use as a feeler gauge.
A quick note: all of our chain tools work on all derailleur chains,
and if you are running 11-speed Campagnolo chains, note that our CT-4.3 or CT-6.3 incude peening anvils.
Before we remove the chain, we need to confirm it was an acceptable length.
If it is, we can use it to size the new chain.
Shift to the largest sprocket front and rear.
If the derailleur makes the shift and there is a bend in the chain at each pulley, the chain is not too short.
Now shift to the smallest front and rear sprockets.
There should be no slack in the lower section of chain.
The chain should not be contacting itself here.
In the Campagnolo sizing system, this gap should be between 8 and 15millimeters.
However, if the gap is less than 8 millimeters but the chain is not slack, and there is no contact at the pulleys,
it is considered a usable length.
If the old chain is an acceptable length, lay it next to the new chain as shown.
These example chains chains are not Campagnolo, but the procedure is the same.
Always line up ends with outer plates.
Next we line up the chains.
Take care to match them rivet to rivet, noting that old chains will lengthen as they wear.
This is the rivet that we will cut on the new chain.
and your chain is sized.
Now let's size a chain without using the old one.
Remove the old chain.
Check that the derailleurs are on the smallest rear sprocket and the smallest front chain ring.
Using the end with the outer plates,
route the new chain through the derailleur and through the front derailleur to the smallest chainring.
Be sure to route in a straight line from the lower pulley to the upper pulley.
Be aware of any tabs in the cage, and route the chain on the correct side of the tab.
Hold the chain end at about the 5 oclock postion.
Pull the lower section of chain well forward until the rear pulleys are approximately perpendicular to the ground.
This winds up the body pivot and cage pivot springs.
Now begin to lengthen the chain.
Extend the lower section one inch - or two rivets - at a time.
Notice this gap here as the chain wraps around the pulleys.
As we lengthen the chain, this gap will decrease.
Keep lengthening until the gap between the top and the bottom section of the chain here is between 8 and 15 millimeters
To see if the gap is too small, use an 8 millimeter hex wrench. The wrench should fit into the gap.
If the gap is at least 8 millimeters but smaller than 15, the chain length is acceptable.
Mark the rivet to be cut at this length.
Cut the chain at the marked rivet using a chain tool.
And that wraps up Campagnolo's chain sizing procedures.
For a walkthrough on installation, see this other video and skip to the time shown.
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