Cheap downtube shifter won't tighten
07-10-12, 04:18 AM
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Cheap downtube shifter won't tighten
A friend recently purchased a cheap BikesDirect road bike with cheap down tube shifters. They are indexed for 8spd cassette but cannot be tightened so as to hold the cable from slipping to a smaller cog. I thought that possibly there was too much paint on the boss or the threaded insert had flashing keeping it from being tightened down but clearing those issues brought minor improvements. I didn't want to overtighten it as the frame is aluminum and the boss appears to be as well. It tightens on with a small 3mm Allen screw. Anyone familiar with a BikesDirect Dawes Lightning DT with Sunrace shifters?
07-10-12, 05:21 AM
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No way to tell without being there but the odds are something is not aligned properly or is broken or missing, so as to not allow tightening. Why not at least call Bikesdirect to see if they can assist or send a new lever unit?
07-10-12, 10:03 PM
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I agree. Chasing the threads with the appropriate tap could likely solve your problem. I purchased a metric tap and die kit years ago. An inexpensive one will suffice for occasional use.
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northerntier
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07-23-13 07:26 PM
