Bicycle Mechanics - Front shifting issue....

I was out on a ride yesterday and went to shift into the small ring on my triple.......and nothing happened. It felt like the cable snapped, which it didnt, but thats how loose the shifter felt when I tried to shift down a ring.

What sort of adjustment do I need to make to get this working again? It is a 105 9 spd setup.

Downshifting releases the tension on the cable allowing the dérailleur spring to pull the cage inboard where the small ring is. It sounds like your cage didn't move (can you verify?) so something is binding. Probably the cable/housing, though it could be in the dérailleur itself.

Downshifting releases the tension on the cable allowing the dérailleur spring to pull the cage inboard where the small ring is. It sounds like your cage didn't move (can you verify?) so something is binding. Probably the cable/housing, though it could be in the dérailleur itself.

I believe that is correct, however, shifting between the middle and large ring was fine.

Check the cage movement anyway. Don't just assume that it's fine because it works sometimes.

Could also be a brifter issue. When I bike in the cold (not that it's cold now, I know) my RSX FD brifter doesn't like to downshift. I have to work it 2-3 times to get it to do so. Perhaps the Triflow flush?

Could also be a brifter issue. When I bike in the cold (not that it's cold now, I know) my RSX FD brifter doesn't like to downshift. I have to work it 2-3 times to get it to do so. Perhaps the Triflow flush?

Triflow flush?

Triflow flush?

Try squirting WD40 into the shifters.
Or it could be dirty or corroded shift cables and cable housings.

Al

Front derailluer needed some lube is all......