Originally Posted by
jgf310
i think i can put my older broken 6703 shifter on and essentially fix it in place at the middle chain ring and do my ride that way - i have trained myself to not need the smallest chain ring in prep for getting a new bike that doesn't have a triple.
Use the front derailler low limit screw to position the derailler cage over the middle ring. It won't ever move even without a cable connected.
Originally Posted by
jgf310
i am also a bit worried that the problem - at least right now - is intermittent. afterall, i was able to play with it and make it work for 10 miles. i don't want to get in an argument w shimano about whether or not it is broken... i just want to ride my bike.
Perhaps document the problem with a short video then. Hard to argue with facts.
Originally Posted by
jgf310
i guess the lifespan of these shifters is only a few thousand miles. i live in new england and really only ride regularly for maybe 9 months, and the rest is very weather dependent.
I ride year round. I put about 10,000 miles on a set of Sora 8 speed shifters which are still going strong in my dad's hands. My commuter bike has Ultegra 9 speed shifters (triple) that have around 18,000 miles on them and not showing any signs of quitting. That you are experiencing regular (anything less than 5,000 miles surprises me) failures makes me think it's something you are doing wrong, or something wrong with your bike's set up. As someone else mentioned, make sure that your high limit screw isn't set too tight. Also be aware of trying to depress both levers at the same time.