Im trying to set up sunrace thumb friction shifters.

Im trying to set it up with a claris groupset, so 2 chainrings in the front.

The problem is it seems "too tight". It does shift between the gears, but the thumb lever does not go through its full range of motion. I have to really push up to get it to shift, and that shift point is like a quarter of the range of motion of the thumb shifter. Not only that but I have to push the shifter really hard to get it to the shift point. Like its not smooth at all.

I had it set up before where it worked beautifully, the first half of the range would be the smaller ring, and after about 50 percent it would shift (and keep going to the max ROM). I dont know what I did different that time.

This shifter does not have a barrel adjuster and Ive tried loosening the pinch bolt on the deiraileur (but if I do that too much it doesnt have enough "grip" to move the derailleiur and move it).

Hopefully that makes sense!