Bicycle Mechanics - Ultegra STI 9 speed shifting problems

Bike has approx 3000 road miles and now when I tap or push the inner lever the outer lever moves as well. This results in no gear change? On the bench, if I hold the outer lever and index the inner lever the derailleur works fine. I have lubed the shifters, but no luck.
Any suggestions?

How did you lube the lever? These mechanisms usually respond to extensive flushing with light lube. Some like WD-40, I use LPS. Gets the congealed grease out, which can solve sticky problems not caused by broken parts.

That's how my 9-spd DA brifter was behaving when it died completely. I soaked it in mineral spirits overnight, then flooded it with WD-40. That made it worse.

I bought a single lever from http://www.bikeman.com and just sucked it up. Now it's like I have a whole new group :)

I recently started to have problems shifting which turned out to be a frayed cable inside the shifter that would occasionally catch. Carefully inspect your shift cable, especially inside the shifter. Consider replacing the cable even if it doesn't show any wear. (I replace mine every year and the cable housings every 2 years just as a routine maintenance thing. Do-it-yourselfers can replace both shifter and brake cables and housings for about $30.00 total).

If your problem turns out to be unrelated to cable issues, you may just have a crapped-out shifter. Unfortunately, Shimano shifters are not rebuildable. There was a time about 5 years ago when Ultegra 9-speed right shifters were somewhat notorious for crapping out. I think their warranty is 2 years--you might qualify for a free replacement.

Worse case scenario, you'll have to replace the one shifter on your dime, which should cost between $100and $200.

Bob

magic STI repair fluid

magic STI repair fluid

+1

Also look for a small screw on the underside of the shifter that may be loose or missing.

It's also possible that you have too much friction inside the shift cable housings, cables and housings are cheap and easy to replace.

3000 miles is nothing, certainly not enough to wear out any shifter parts.

Al

Replace the inner wires first; it's cheap an easy. 3K miles is about right for some fraying inside of the shifter innards, esp. if you are shift-happy.

If that doesn't fix it, work your way up the difficulty/hassle scale (housings, WD-40 bath, etc.).