Chronic Problem with fraying shifter cable
08-08-07, 04:48 PM
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Chronic Problem with fraying shifter cable
I have shimano barcons in frition mode on my Specialized Sequoia. They work fine except that the cable for my rear deraillieur frays on a regular basis. It frays at the shifter end. The cable has been replaced half a dozen times. At one pont I was told to use wider diameter housing, which I did. It still frays. This is getting old.
If it would fix the problem I'd go back to downtube shifters but I was told that 9-speed downtube shifters are no longer made.
Any advice for the weary?
If it would fix the problem I'd go back to downtube shifters but I was told that 9-speed downtube shifters are no longer made.
Any advice for the weary?
08-08-07, 04:54 PM
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Hm. Where does it fray, exactly? Is this a finished end? How is it attached to the RD shifter, and is THAT the point at which it's fraying?
I haven't dealt with that specific setup, so ... if somebody else has ... jump on in
Housing shouldn't be fraying s/s cable. Something sounds funny about that.
I haven't dealt with that specific setup, so ... if somebody else has ... jump on in
Housing shouldn't be fraying s/s cable. Something sounds funny about that.
08-08-07, 05:06 PM
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It is fraying within the shifter mechanism itself. When I shift to low gear, the shifter is in line with the end of the handle bar. I put y finger uner he shifter and the broked cable wire pokes me.
08-08-07, 05:10 PM
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You could try applying some grease to the cable.
Lubrication should be a maintanance item and not a solution to problems, so when I start relying on lubrication to solve problems, it makes me uncomfortable.
Anyway, it migh be worth a try.
Lubrication should be a maintanance item and not a solution to problems, so when I start relying on lubrication to solve problems, it makes me uncomfortable.
Anyway, it migh be worth a try.
08-08-07, 05:48 PM
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I'd look at the agle at which the cable enters the shifter. If it's too tight an angle, that will cause more rubbing since the housing can't adjust. This is sometimes caused by a housing that is too short. Try a longer housing from your shifter to where the first cable guide is; perhaps add an inch or two, and see if it will help the cable enter your shifter at a cleaner angle.
08-08-07, 05:55 PM
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Do you have a metal cap on the end of the cable? Check the hole the cable passes through. Maybe it is a wee bit jagged. You could also replace it with a Jaqwire one that has a brass end and is plastic coated.
08-09-07, 08:10 AM
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Pictures, please.
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08-09-07, 12:37 PM
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I don't know if nine speed downtube shifters are still made, but I've seen them for sale
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...s%20%2D%20Road
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...s%20%2D%20Road
08-10-07, 09:24 PM
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Oops. Make that 8 speeds
I misspoke. It's really an eight speed set up.
I cotactced a locl bike shop and they (a) acknowleged that this shouldn;t be happening and (b) haven't a clue what's causing it.
I have three guesses.
1. There's a tiny burr in the shifter itself. Solution: get a new shifter.
2. There's a burr in the casing or the ferrule. Replace the casing and ferrule.
3. I have narrow handlebar. So when the mechnaic installed the barvons he trimmed the ends of the handlebars to reduce interference with my knees and the barcon. Maybe a rough edge is contacting the cal. This is a long shot, but the fix would be to file the rough edge.
.
I cotactced a locl bike shop and they (a) acknowleged that this shouldn;t be happening and (b) haven't a clue what's causing it.
I have three guesses.
1. There's a tiny burr in the shifter itself. Solution: get a new shifter.
2. There's a burr in the casing or the ferrule. Replace the casing and ferrule.
3. I have narrow handlebar. So when the mechnaic installed the barvons he trimmed the ends of the handlebars to reduce interference with my knees and the barcon. Maybe a rough edge is contacting the cal. This is a long shot, but the fix would be to file the rough edge.
.
08-10-07, 10:21 PM
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A burr of some sort ... somewhere ... could surely explain it. You might be able to (gently) feel around, or even poke around with something like a Q-tip (it will snag and start to shred when the cotton hits the sharp edge).
Once located, it's likely to be a relatively simple fix (flat file, emery board, tiny strip of sandpaper on a popsicle stick, Dremel, etc.)
If you have a good idea WHERE the fray occurred, then it shouldn't be TOO difficult to locate the offending section, right? Your target zone can only be as broad as the movement of the shifter cable throughout the 8sp gear range, right? That SHOULD be relatively simple to define.
Once located, it's likely to be a relatively simple fix (flat file, emery board, tiny strip of sandpaper on a popsicle stick, Dremel, etc.)
If you have a good idea WHERE the fray occurred, then it shouldn't be TOO difficult to locate the offending section, right? Your target zone can only be as broad as the movement of the shifter cable throughout the 8sp gear range, right? That SHOULD be relatively simple to define.
