Shimano Triple Front Derailleur Shifting Problem
08-17-13, 11:59 AM
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Shimano Triple Front Derailleur Shifting Problem
I replaced the cable on my front derailleur (Shimano triple) and now it's very difficult to downshift from the middle chain ring to the small chain ring. I have Shimano ST2203 shifters. I can downshift from the large chain ring to the middle chain ring just fine but when I try to downshift to the small chain ring, the thumb shifter is virtually impossible to move. When the cable is loose, the thumb shifter works normally and easily but the minute I secure the cable, it becomes very difficult to shift. Any ideas or suggestions?
08-17-13, 12:10 PM
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Shift to the smallest chainring and attach the cable as you normally would. Then leaving the lever alone pedal and shift pulling the wire away form the downtube to get a sense of the tension it operates at.
Shift to the largest chainring and leave the chain there. Then try to work the lever while providing cable tension by pulling it away from the downtube. Work the lever back and forth through all positions while varying the tension, but staying close to what it felt like when you worked against the FDs return spring.
Hopefully, there's something minor binding the lever and it'll self clear. The other possibility is that the head isn't properly seated in the lever and is binding someplace. Some Shimano levers are more sensitive to this than others.
Shift to the largest chainring and leave the chain there. Then try to work the lever while providing cable tension by pulling it away from the downtube. Work the lever back and forth through all positions while varying the tension, but staying close to what it felt like when you worked against the FDs return spring.
Hopefully, there's something minor binding the lever and it'll self clear. The other possibility is that the head isn't properly seated in the lever and is binding someplace. Some Shimano levers are more sensitive to this than others.
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08-17-13, 01:18 PM
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"The other possibility is that the head isn't properly seated in the lever and is binding someplace. "
Yeah, sometimes when the (zinc?) metal head is molded onto the shift wire, some "flash" appears along the seam where the two halves of the mold meet. This may need to be carefully removed with a small file to restore the head to its proper cylindrical shape and size to avoid the head binding in its pocket in the shifter. Take care to not nick the wire strands with the file during this operation.
Yeah, sometimes when the (zinc?) metal head is molded onto the shift wire, some "flash" appears along the seam where the two halves of the mold meet. This may need to be carefully removed with a small file to restore the head to its proper cylindrical shape and size to avoid the head binding in its pocket in the shifter. Take care to not nick the wire strands with the file during this operation.
08-17-13, 01:33 PM
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Shimano Triple Front Derailleur Shifting Problem
1. Adjust your limit screw you may be butting up against the stop. 2. Check to see if cable tension isn't too tight.
08-17-13, 01:35 PM
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Your two most likely problems are pretty much covered above either the cable and or cable housing are not properly seated or the cable fd is not adjusted correctly.
08-17-13, 01:50 PM
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Double check that the cable is properly routed in the guide under the bottom bracket.
08-17-13, 03:05 PM
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Unless the FD is a sprung toward the larger chainring, posts #s 4,5 & 6 are off base. The OP seems to be describing a lever that's jamming when moving toward the slack cable direction. Since cables cannot push the problem must lie within the lever itself.
Of course if the FD is sprung to the large ring that would change everything, and posts 4,5 & 6 would be spot on.
This is just another example, where having correct specific information is critical to getting good assistance.
Of course if the FD is sprung to the large ring that would change everything, and posts 4,5 & 6 would be spot on.
This is just another example, where having correct specific information is critical to getting good assistance.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
08-18-13, 08:25 AM
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08-18-13, 09:53 AM
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Shimano Triple Front Derailleur Shifting Problem
Glad it was a relatively easy fix with no $ involved, call it a win!
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