Bicycle Mechanics - Problem with front der shifter (?)

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airick
07-18-07, 07:07 AM
Hello,
I have a problem with my wife's bike; 2007 Trek 1000 w/Sora brifters, approx. 300 miles on the bike. When attempting to shift from the granny to the middle ring, the shifter has "jammed" on many occasions, as in it won't move at all. It's stuck. A gentle tug on the derailleur cable produces a "click" in the shifter, as if it's ratcheting, and then it will function again, but it invariably happens again. I've fiddled with the cable tension but it hasn't eliminated the problem. My wife is still new to the scene and gets very frustrated/panicky when it happens and I'd like to ease her mind. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks -- Eric

oilman_15106
07-18-07, 07:36 AM
Make sure the shift cable is properly seated in the brifter. Cable tension could appear correct but may not really be the case. If above is Ok, suggest you take it to the LBS and have them look at it, should still be under warranty. Couple of other ideas: is the cable properly attached to the front der? Over the tab not under it. Re-do the cable tension per the Parks Tool web site instructions. New bike from a good mfg and LBS is not always set up properly.

Have never been a fan of Sora triple due to the lack of trim function(which has nothing to do with your post).
Al1943
07-18-07, 08:51 AM
Good advice above. Also encourage your wife to be assertive when shifting from the smallest chainring to the middle chainring. A good hard shove works best. The same is also true for a shift from the middle ring to the big ring.

Al

airick
07-18-07, 09:04 AM
Thanks oilman and Al. I'll give it a try tonight.

Eric
DMF
07-18-07, 11:14 AM
It could be operator error. If one lever is partially moved it will lock out the other lever, making the shifter appear to be jammed. Follow Al's advice re: assertiveness. And tell your wife to operate the other lever if one appears jammed.
Retro Grouch
07-18-07, 01:44 PM
I have a problem with my wife's bike; 2007 Trek 1000 w/Sora brifters, approx. 300 miles on the bike.

That's pretty much all that I need to know.

Why don't you take it back where you bought it and let them figure it out?
airick
07-19-07, 05:49 PM
That's pretty much all that I need to know.

Why don't you take it back where you bought it and let them figure it out?


Thanks for the keen insight. Good stuff !