Originally Posted by
vinfix
I got a freebie pair of ST-6600 Ultegra Flight Deck shifters, but it was tagged "only shifts to big ring"- so I don't know if either Left or Right work, or how well.
I'd like to bench test them out without undoing the perfectly functional 9 speed set-up I have on the target bike, in case they need repair or are junk.
Is there an easy way, to just install a cable and tension it somehow, and actuate the shifter?
Yes - mount the lever on something to hold it steady, install an old (but not frayed) cable, and clamp both cable end and lever mount thing in a bench vise. Now you can apply firm tension to the cable with one hand while operating the lever with the other hand. If all the clicks are there and you can run up and down the gears reliably without the cable failing to latch then you could be onto a winner.
I would perform the usual flushing out with WD40 before testing, to improve your chances.