JReade

When I got my Univega, it came equipped with a Sakae Ovaltech triple, and SuntourAccushift Downtube shifters. I wasn't a fan of the reach for the shifters (My bikes are tall), and came across a set of Suntour Bar end shifters. Since Installing them, I've had such finicky shifting. I'll set the low limit, then the high limit, like I've done a hundred times before, and it will shift into all gears. Once or twice. Then I lose the range to get to the high, or the low. I'm going out of my mind trying to get it sorted out.

Do the Suntour Barcons not have the range to shift over a triple? They came off a bike with a double, was I mistaken in my attempt to swap?

Bianchigirll 

they should shift a triple OK. are they the index ones? is you cable slipping? is your housing compressing somewhere? when I saw the title I thought you were setting up a new triple and perhaps did not change the FD

khatfull

They should have more than enough range. They have shifted flawlessly on both my touring bikes, a Fuji Touring Series III and V.

Cable slipping at the FD?

nlerner

What derailleurs are you running? Pics of your setup would help a great deal.

Neal

clubman 

Maybe the lock nut on the barcon is too loose to counter the tension?

southpawboston

I think it may be the derailleur and how much cable pull it needs to span the range from low to high. It may be the FD needs more cable pull than the barcon provides.

pastorbobnlnh 

Also, check to make certain the down tube cable stop has not slipped. I had this problem on a Paramount which lacked a stop to keep the band from slipping downwards.

Bianchigirll 

when the OP mentioned Accushift I assumed the shifters were brazeon, and he was using stops on the braz.................. HMMMM we need pics

khatfull

Oooh, good thought Good Pastor. That one would have slipped by me.

Doohickie

I'm using Suntour Barcons on my commuter with a triple, no problems. Granted, I usually stay in the big chain ring unless I'm tired and trying to climb a hill.

atmdad

I have Suntour Barcons that have plenty of range on the 52-47-34 (or something like that) triple with some to spare I run. I would agree with PastorBob, check that your cable is not slipping somewhere along the line.

CMC SanDiego

When you push the left shifter all the way down, do you still have tension on the wire? If not, you need to pull that slack out and, as mentioned by PastorBob, look for slippage somewhere.

randyjawa 

I went through this with a Suntour front derailleur some years ago. The bike as a Top Dog Norco Magnum SE, a beauty, if there ever was one.


The limit adjusting screws, on the front derailleur, have nylon inserts that help to keep the screws from turning under use. It the insert is worn out, the screws will move and you will loose your set adjustment.

I do not know if this is your problem, or not, but I share this experience anyway.

Also, your cable routing might have something to do with your problem. As mentioned by others, it is wise to couple your questions with good, clear pictures.

JReade

Pictures!

It doesn't seem as if the cable is slipping, as the "kinked" portion isn't moving. Maybe the housing is too long, and it's flexing? I'm routing out from under the bars in the "traditional" style, but it did this when I ran under the tape as well.

I recently changed the FD out for this one I came across in a parts box, but it happened with the old FD too.

ColonelJLloyd 

+1

If this isn't it I blame the lizard.

JReade

There is a good chance it was the lizard, I've seen him running around with some Allen keys before.

I'll mess with it some more tonight, maybe install the downtube shifter and see if that corrects it.

bradtx

Jesse, Is the last picture one of a failed shift to the inner chain ring? If so, is there any slack in the FD's cable? Did you use new cables? Does the cable end remain seated in the shifter?

It seems to me that if you have it working for a couple of shifts the shifter has enough travel and something is going askew .

Brad

JReade

Brad, you are correct, which is the maddening portion. It will work on the stand, then once or twice after. New cables, housing etc. I will check on the cable housing in the shifter, it might be slipping arond, as I'm always looking at the fd, not the shifters.

southpawboston

Are you using derailleur cable housing or brake cable housing? Brake cable housing may look the same outwardly, but it can compress under cable tension. Derailleur cable generally doesn't compress.