Originally Posted by
pgoat
update, i stopped by my preferred shop and the mech said he felt the shifter was toast, or at least on its way. He basically played around with it and tried some lube. I asked if it could be the cable - he streched it out some along the down tube when in the small cog, but didn't remove it from the shifter.
Your mechanic may know exactly what's wrong with the brifter but I find the fact that he didn't remove the cable to check for some kind of hang-up as a little odd. Like I say he may be right about needing a new assembly but I'd recommend taking out the cable yourself and check for fraying and free movement and also make sure the derailleur moves freely.