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Friction Shifters-Lube or No Lube?

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Friction Shifters-Lube or No Lube?

Old 01-30-06, 01:26 PM
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Friction Shifters-Lube or No Lube?

Should Campy NR/SR friction shifters be lubed or dry? When lubed with Tri-Flo they tend to slip and if I clean the lube off and use them dry they feel sort of rough but dont slip.
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Old 01-30-06, 02:05 PM
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I've never lubed friction shifters, just cleaned them
well when they begin to feel gritty.

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Old 01-30-06, 02:13 PM
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friction shifters need to be dry, otherwise NO friction!!!
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Old 01-30-06, 02:16 PM
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I ad a touch of bearing grease for the smooth feel. I guess I risk slippage, and it means they have to be taken apart and cleans every now and then but, meh...
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Old 01-30-06, 03:59 PM
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I've always greased the barrels, then stick a screwdriver through the 'D' ring and spin it really TIGHT!

Nah, just kidding about that part. The friction works fine with lube.
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Old 01-30-06, 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by oglala_1927
friction shifters need to be dry, otherwise NO friction!!!
+1
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Old 01-30-06, 10:00 PM
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There are two answers I think, Older all metallic Campagnolo shift levers, use Campagnolo grease. Later units with the nylon or nylon looking washer, I put a bit on the pivot barrel only, none on the business, compression carrying parts.
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Old 01-31-06, 06:14 AM
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Thanks for all the replies. I'll clean them up and put a dab of grease on the shift boss and be done with it. Hopefully that'll cure the slipping.
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Old 02-02-06, 09:42 AM
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I like silicone dielectric grease for this and derailleur bearings.
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