Bicycle Mechanics - Help - Ultegra STI Right Shifter

My 2000 Ultegra Right STI shifter won't downshift (25 down to 12). Upshifting is fine (12 up to 25). When I use my finger on the small lever, both levers move inward with no downshifting. If I take my left hand and hold the large lever and use my right finger to downshift, it will work. It's alittle dangerous doing that at 30mph down a hill. I tightened the rear derailleur cable and sprayed silicon in the shifter with no results. I am alittle leary of trying to dis-assemble the unit for repair, everything is delicate. Any suggestions please, please. Is this a Shimano defect ? Is the Shifter toast ? I have about 4,000 miles on this bike. Thanks in advance.

It might be time to visit the old LBS, with hat in hand. They might be able to use their knowledge and fix rather than having to replace it.

I hate to say it but I bet you will need a new shifter. If you spray cleaner into the shifter and cycle it a bunch and it does not free up the ratchet, you will need a new one. While you can take the shifter apart, you can not get any parts.

Rev. Chuck - thanks so much. I was waiting on your response and I had a feeling it was going to be bad news. I have been on a few other sites and it sounds difficult to re-build the Ultegra Shifter. I read somewhere that they are built robotically in the factory. I also read that the 9 speed Dura Ace shifter is worth the money as an upgrade to the Ultegra shifter. After I have my LBS take a look at the shifter and if I need a new one, I will consider going to the Dura Ace.

Now that D/A has gone to 10 you may have a hard time getting one. If you do don't worry, the Ultegra has gotten much better since 2000(I have seen a few, 2000/2001s fail)

This very same thing happened to a fellow rider during last year's STP. I think he ended up having to replace his too. It was also an Ultegra 9sp right-brifter.

What the Rev said.

It is possible to tear down an Ultegra shifter, put it back together and MAYBE make a difference. But only if you have the patience of JOB and many minutes to waste in the effort. It sounds as if the teeth on the return racheting gear are worn, or one of the little plastic protective covers has been mangled and dropped a piece into the mechanism.

The first thing I would check is this: drop the R/derailleur to it's highest gear. Release the cable tension and see if the derailleur cable will slide easily out of the shifter. If not, then it may be bound up inside because of wear to it's original seating position. I have had some success with this simple check. Freeing it up, some silicone spray, and the right incantation can sometimes turn around an errant shifter.

But I actually think you will have to replace it even if you get it working again. Once they start to give trouble, it seems they never stop giving trouble.

I am having the same problem with my right DA shifter after only about a year of use. To tell you the truth I am pretty disgusted since I got the DA in part because I had the same problem with a 105 shifter. I now have my eye on a pair of Chorus 9-sp.

Rainman, the D/A stuff has a three year warranty, look into it, if it is not a gunked up problem(which can be flushed out) They have been pretty good about replacing defective parts.

Rainman, the D/A stuff has a three year warranty, look into it, if it is not a gunked up problem(which can be flushed out) They have been pretty good about replacing defective parts.

A customer of the shop I visit has just had an Ultegra rebuilt of that vintage , only problem is it takes a while and can be expensive ( has to be sent away ) but still cheaper than new : good news they do sell them individually ( ie left or right ) so you don´t have to buy the pair if one of them is dead .

thanks CRUM - I will try your advice on the cable binding. And Rev., thanks for the advice on going with the new version of Ultegra verses the higher end Dura Ace. At this point, I am looking for the best durability.

Same thing happened to a set of 105s I had (with the blue and yellow 105 logo). I took it to my LBS where the mechanic said the smaller shifter may be bent. He tried "unbending" it and it snapped off. I didn't really have any hope for fixing it anyway but I thought I'd let him try.
Now I just use them for brake levers on my fixed gear.