Originally Posted by
Aubergine
The front shifter not catching is a common issue with Shmano front derailleurs because the grease gets thick and hard and prevents the full throw of the lever. I try to take the cover off so the mechanism is exposed, and then flood it with a lubricant or degreaser. Keep working it unti the old hard grease loosens up and the shifter should work again.
TBH I detest those shifters. There is just no need for indexing in the front. Friction shifters are all one needs. (And there you have my anti-Shimano, C&V rant for the day.)
Agreed on all points. I mentioned the procedure for getting the cable tension right because that's another idiosyncrasy of Shimano's front indexing. I much prefer Grep Shift's ratcheted-but-not-indexed design for front triples on hybrids.
At least Shimano's flat-bar shifters (probably the ones in question here) are easier to lube than those used for drop bars.