Bicycle Mechanics - My Tiagra shifter went "bang!"

I was adjusting my rear derailleur this morning before going out for a ride, and as I was quickly shifting up through the cassette, a loud "bang" came from inside the shifter. Simply put, it doesn't shift anymore. There's no click when I try to shift with the brake lever; it just smoothly rotates around. Something was pinching the cable inside, and I really had to pull to get it out.

What happened? Is there any hope for fixing it? I bought these shifters (Tiagra ST-4400) used, and I'm fairly sure there's no warranty left on them.

Strange, STI's usually fail quietly so I have no idea what happened to yours. A broken cable that would have let the derailleur snap against its limit screw is the thing I can think of that would have made noise.

As to fixing them, probably not. STIs are generally considered unservicable. If it's only a broken cable you could replace it but if it's more than that, you are in the market for a replacement.

Yep, I think you're screwed. I've never heard of a shifter dying that suddenly before....

Best bet for you it to take it to a shop and let some mechs and wrenches play with it. Things like these probably definitely needs hands on diagnoses and they can tell you, probably through experience, whether it is trashed or not.

Good luck.

From your description, it sounds like the spring that winds up the cable has broken. It's new shifter time for you. Shimano shifters are generally non-repairable.

single speed it......

single speed it......
Tell you what, you bring your single speed to my area and we'll go for a 50 mile or so local jaunt. Then you can tell me how much you still like the single speed concept as the answer to every problem.

that sounds like a spring failure. and it is pretty much impossible to fix unless you're good a magic. ie. you have to control the deflection of a spring, without touching the spring, while rotating it significantly.

hillrider i was googling and noticed the worlds steepest road is in pittsburg, 37% grade. have you ever seen it?

hillrider i was googling and noticed the worlds steepest road is in pittsburg, 37% grade. have you ever seen it?
Yes I have. It's called Canton Ave. and it's only about 5 miles from my house. Not only is it 37% but about half is cobbles!

BTW, there is an annual late November ride called "The Dirty Dozen" that climbs the 13 toughest hills in this area. Canton is one of them but even the "easiest" is over 20% and much longer.

One more thing, don't ever forget Shimano is not serviceable.

One more thing, don't ever forget Shimano is not serviceable.
Camp Ergos are servicable but that's all and it's expensive to do so unless you do the work yourself. Most other Campy components are no more servicable than Shimano's.

you can pick up a new shifter on ebay for pretty cheap, especially if you have 9 spd, because a lot of ppl have upgraded and are looking to see their old stuff.

you can pick up a new shifter on ebay for pretty cheap, especially if you have 9 spd, because a lot of ppl have upgraded and are looking to see their old stuff.

Yep, that's exactly what I'm doing.

i can easily keep pace with a 40-15 or 16--- I wouldnt race you though--- do you like doughnuts and Makers mark?