Bicycle Mechanics - Shimano 105 setup problems

I just installed a new Shimano 105 setup on my TT bike. Cranks, front and rear derailleurs, STI levers and a 9 cog rear. I can't get the rear derailleur to make all 9 shifts though. When setup so it starts at the smallest cog at rest it will jump up about 6 steps total but no further. Cable adjuster movements will get it to the 9th cog but then I can only go down about 6 steps. Just can't get all nine cogs to shift.

It is not hitting the stops, just sems like there is not enough STI shifter or cable movement to go the entire range.

Any hints? My local Performance shop is booked for the next 3 weeks.

Thanks,
Tony

tony ...

not sure what the problem is, but shimano and park both have good pages for installing and adjusting derailleurs:

http://bike.shimano.com/services/tech_info_b.asp?cat=Road&pg=105
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

hope they help some.

-- michael

Three weeks? Sounds like a friction problem. TT bike? Are your shifters barcons out on the aerobars? Check all of your routing make sure the cable is free to move. Sometimes a kink in the cable right at a housing stop will cause this problem. If you use barcons and fed the cable thru by pushiing it thru the lever and guide and then pulling the full length thru both at the same time it will put a curl in the cable that can cause some problems. Check also to make sure the der. hanger is straight.

When you shift past the sixth position does the shifter continue to click? Since you say it will go to "1st" the limit screws must not be an issue. Hmmm. Will ti shift thru all gears if you just pull on the cable? Leave everything hooked up and pull the cable away from the down tube, see what happens Maybe you got some old six speed shifters :)

Michael, Rev,
I checked the Shimano link and it gives me the same set of instructions my 105 stuff came packed with.
No barcons, I am using the newest black Shimano 105 brake/shifter levers. I think this is the first year for black too so they must be new 9 speed ones. I use up all the "clicks" in the levers but no go. I can pull the cable and get it to jump onto the 9th cog otherwise it stops at #7. Same deal if I start at #9 by adjusting the cable tight there and work down, stops at #3.
Performance schedules people 3 weeks out unless you bought your bike there. Bust place and bike customers get first shot in for service and tune ups so eveyone else gets scheduled 3 weeks off. I did buy all the components from them except frame and wheels so maybe that will count for something. Won't get warrenty work like on a new bike but even for a few $$ I hopefully can get this setup right. This STI stuff is new to me. Until now I have been old school, downtube friction shifter raised <g>.
I did see that the 105 setup only handles a 27t rear cog so put my 11/26 on instead of the 11/28 that was on the wheels I bought but it made no difference.
Thanks,
Tony

Is the cable routed to the correct side of the der stop nut (The wheel side rather than the outside)?

Two ideas come off the top of my head.

One, like the rev. is that the cable attachment on the derailleur is on the wrong side of the bolt. If that's the case, it's far enough to make a difference.

The other has to do with the shifter. Disconnect the cable and cycle the small lever on the shifter until it won't cycle anymore. Then reattach the cable to the derailleur and see what happens.

out of curiosity, did the problem get resolved, and what was the solution?

-- michael

Michael,
No luck yet. The cable is in the right spot and I went to the local Performance shop and asked them about it. I followed all their suggestions. ie, rmove the cable, readjust the stops to place the idler wheels directy under top and bottom cogs. Put cable back on tight, use rear barrel adjuster, etc.... I can smothly go from #1 to #7 but no further. By hand or pulling the cable manually I can go all the way to #9 cog. They gave me their soonest service appointment.....Sept. 1st. Busy place.

Tony

hmmm

what a drag, that must be quite frustrating. it must be a defective shifter.

best of luck with it.

I had the same problem when I installed my new right shifter. I just didn't thread the cable through the unit properly. It looks like you already tried that. Not sure what else you could try that hasn't already been suggested. It would almost seem as if the derailluer is hitting, jammed or caught on something. Very weird.

Unhook the cable from the rear der and count how many clicks you get from the shifter. If you get 8 clicks, it's not a shifter problem and could be either a cable or der problem

Trek Rider,
You win the prize! If I unhook the cable I get 4 steps, not 8. Does not matter if I take short throw or long throw (multiple cog shifts) the lever on clicks 4 times. With the cable attached the chain is hard to shift only one cog at a time much prefering a 2 cog jump and ending up at #7 and trying to climb #8 when I run out of clicks.
Cable is in the housing properly and these are brand new 105 shifters bought new at Performance.
Anything I can try now short of returning them?
Thanks,
Tony

Four steps? Are you sure you didn't get two left der. ? Does the housing run out to the right side of the bike and then back in again :)

If you just got them, take them back.

Rev,
I knew someone would ask that <g>. They are a paired set, left and right as the levers and housings are opposite layouts from one another. I removed it from the bike and get either 3 or 4 clicks now each time I try it. Same with the "B" lever to down shift 4 click on it too.
I will run by Performance tomorrow and show it to the mechanic there. I am sure he will quickly confirm what is wrong with the lever setup.
Derailluer itself will easily move to all 9 cogs if pushed by hand so the stops are fine and there is enough clearance between cogs and chainwheels. I even went down toa 27t large cogs as suggested in the instructions to be sure. I checked the cable for free movement in it's housing too. Really looking like the lever now.

At least it would work enough I could put the bike on my MAG trainer for it's maiden ride. Really sweet! I am using a Leader Aero 735TT frame, not their Road frame seen on eBay along with all black 105 components, aero wheels in black and Profile bullhorn bars and Air Strike aero clip on bars on those. Painted red, white, black it is really a sharp bike.

Best,
Tony

I'm so stupid........<g>. Like I said, I am new to STI and this entire time I have not paid attention to which hand is shifting what with the bike on the repair stand. Levers are on the correct sides but I crossed the cables from side to side so I was using the front lever for the rear derailluer and the rear for the front.

I should be banned from riding this masterpiece now for 2 months as punishment and have to ride a Huffy from K-Mart as punishment.

"If you can't laugh at yourself laugh at me cause I'm f**ked up and it's hilarious"

Thanks for eveyones help. Treck Rider nailed the clicks and the Rev politely figured out I screwed up <g>.
Best,
Tony

"Doctor, it hurts when I do this...."

Just think, the front der had some very fine positions for a while....

Hey, sometimes I miss the crisscross(dumb as I do it myself) and cut the wrong cable when replacing one.