Bicycle Mechanics - SRAM Force Shift Lever Broke Off

So I was riding along today and went to shift into an easier gear and the shift lever literally broke off. This wasn't even the result of a crash. Next thing I know I'm in the 11t position on my cassette, I had to undo the shift cable and add tension to get the bike into an acceptable gear to ride home in.

Anyways I took some photos of the metal piece that broke causing the lever to fall off. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem, and also if it's fixable.

The worst part is I was supposed to do my first cyclocross race of the season tomorrow, doesn't look like I'll be showing up.

Best,
Benji

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/8036911848_6da82abe5a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbenji/8036911848/)
_DSC6733 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbenji/8036911848/) by Benji Reynolds (http://www.flickr.com/people/thisisbenji/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/8036911780_64f8a55e4a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbenji/8036911780/)
_DSC6734 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbenji/8036911780/) by Benji Reynolds (http://www.flickr.com/people/thisisbenji/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/8036911672_335c9e1f6f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbenji/8036911672/)
_DSC6735 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbenji/8036911672/) by Benji Reynolds (http://www.flickr.com/people/thisisbenji/), on Flickr

Wow!!, you don't know your own strength.

Seriously, this is the first I've seen with Sram levers, but I often saw similar breakage with the carbon shift paddle of Campy ergos, when I was their service tech. It appears to be a simple case of breakage at a weak spot, most likely form a hidden defect. I'm sure that if/when you contact Sram, they'll be good for it.

Note Sram doesn't like to do warranty directly with end users, so you'll have to see a dealer to process the replacement.

As for the race, borrow a bike.

I wish it was because I pushed to hard, then at least I would have someone to blame.

I'll probably go into the LBS on Monday, hopefully there is something they can do.

Btw, I'm literally six days outside of the two year warranty on the shifters.

I wish it was because I pushed to hard, then at least I would have someone to blame.

I'll probably go into the LBS on Monday, hopefully there is something they can do.

Btw, I'm literally six days outside of the two year warranty on the shifters.

They shouldn't make that a sticking point, but if they do, let me know -- I have friends at Sram and might be able buy you 6 days of wiggle room.

As for the race, borrow a bike.


Or lock the derailleur into a reasonably low gear and race as a singlespeed (or two-speed if you have a front derailleur). Single-speed cyclocross is fairly popular now...

SRAM is the most lenient company I have ever dealt with when it comes to warranty. I had one of the early force shifters do that on my bike and because SRAM was out of stock of the force ones I got a free upgrade to Red.

Off topic

Those are probably the best photo's I seen uploaded to the site. What did you take them with?

Off topic

Those are probably the best photo's I seen uploaded to the site. What did you take them with?

By looking at the flickr page, a Nikon 1 J1

Yup Nikon J1 with a 30-110mm lens.