Copper1122

I have a compact double that I rarely ever shift. Living in South East Michigan, by biggest climbs are usually an e-way overpass. However, while cleaning my bike the other day, I found that my front brifter would stop moving aprox 1/4 of the way into the shift. I have an ultegra group and limited exp in indexed gearing repairs. Any thoughts on if this would be a relatively easy diagnosis and fix or should I just haul it over to the LBS?

Copper1122

BTW, I apologize if this is a recent repost. The new captcha on the search page pissed me off after 3 attempts and I said piss on it

operator

First thing you want to do is check the condition of the cable. Pull it apart. It may be failing, or about to.

Copper1122

I highly doubt its the cable. I didnt pull it apart yet, however, the group and cables have only about 200 miles on them. However, failure is always an option when dealing with mechanical parts

operator

Just to doublecheck you are pedalling when trying to shift it right.

Copper1122

Yeah, I am. (I know, you have to ask) It just meets with solid resistance. Furthermore, I cant think of any event that has recently happened to cause failure.

bfree

Another simple thing, but is the set screw in too tight?

Copper1122

Nah, the set screw is straight. It feels like something is stuck internally. And if that is the case, I know theres nothing to do but dig up the warranty paperwork and send the SOB back to shimano for a replacement.

San Rensho 

Grab the fron der cable where it runs along the bottom tube and pull it as you pedal the bike in a stand. If its shifts, its the brifter. Remember, brifters have trim stops, its not just big chainring/small chainring. Push the brifter lever twice to make sure you are not getting stuck on a trim stop.

If it shifts manually, first thing to do is check the cable tension. Cable on the small CR should be slack, but not sagging loose. To adjust, loosen the cable stop bolt, pull the cable through hand tight only and retighten cable stop bolt.

If the cable tension is properly adjusted and you still have the problem, then flush the insides of the brifter with solvent, WD40 works fine. The factory grease on brifters tends to solidify and prevent shifting.

Copper1122

Thanks for the diagnosing ideas. I'll give it a go on Thursday when I'm off

HillRider

The first thing I would do is disconnect the shift cable at the front derailleur and see if the cage will move over its entire range manually. If the derailleur moves smoothly, the problem is in the cable or brifter. If the derailleur gets stuck when not cabled up, then you've located the problem there.

Kimmo

And if your shifter's still under warranty, piff it for another.

Overhauling one isn't an easy job.

nitropowered

why not just yank on the cable? its easier to do it this way.

Another think is the cable head may have come dislodged inside the shifter.

Al1943

First try shooting the shifter full of WD40, this has solved lots of STI problems.

Al