Gibbygoo

I have a 1994 Gary Fisher Aquila that I would like to fix and use for a second bike. It has STX shifters and derailleures. I think the right/rear shifter is broken and I think the rear derailleur is also not working. This bike has probably less then 1000 miles on it and sat in my garage for 9 years. I got a tune up and started riding it in August and when it stopped shifting correctly in October, I went out and bought a new road bike. I would like to now use this as a second bike to take with me out of town and use as a commuter/touring type bike.

Here is my question...will this upgrade kit from Performance Bike work on my 7 speed STX bike? (click here)

I'll probably have an LBS do the labor, because I have never done this type of work and don't have tools. I hate to spend over a couple hundred on a bike that's this old, because I could use the money on a new bike, but it is Cromoly and seems to be a good bike and lesser chance of getting stolen etc.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for your replys.


<edit> where could I get a right shifter, and rear derailluer that would fit this bike?</edit>

Retro Grouch 

That 9-speed upgrade kit isn't going to work unless you also replace or modify your rear wheel. That might run into more money than you want to spend on this project.

Does it shift at all? If it shifts but makes a lot of noise, skips gears and the like, you probably just need a cable adjustment.

If it doesn't shift, you probably just need to replace your rear shifter. It has to exactly exactly match the number of gears on your cassette. You should be able to find an individual right side 7-speed shifter, but it might not be a perfect match for the left side.

Gibbygoo

It shifts, but takes a while and skips, makes noise and doesn't shift all the way. I also messed with the limit screws in an attempt to fix the shifting problem. Adjusting the cable didn't seem to make a difference. Also, it may be that it just needs a good degreasing and new lubrication. I will try this first I guess. I do know that when I had a riser bar installed several years ago, the shifter got kind of smashed and only works in one certain position on the bar.

Retro Grouch 

Look at where your shifter is attached relative to the curve of your riser bar. If you try to clamp it on the curve, it will bind up the shifter and it won't work right. If you can slide it even 1/8" towrd the end of the handlebar, that might fix it.

As a general rule, once your derailleur limit screws are set and it works right, they never need readjusting. Cable tension, on the other hand, frequently needs to be readjusted. Once you get your shifter functioning, check the Park Tool website for detailed instructions on setting up your rear derailleur.

DocF

You will get better results if you follow these instructions from beginning to end. Trying to start in the middle used to get me in trouble until I learned, more or less, what I was doing.

Doc

Gibbygoo

where could I find a shifter and derailluer for fairly cheap that would fit?

dafydd

7-speed stx shifters are still available and are not terribly expensive.

supcom

Unless you've bashed your derailler in a crash, it should be fine with only 1000 miles on it. try replacing or at least lubricating the shift cable. Check your chain to be sure it pivots freely otherwise it may need a good cleaning and possibly replacement. Lubricate all of the derailler pivot points as well. It would not hurt to remove, clean, and grease the pulleys while your at it.

Of course, a bike that has been sitting for 9 years unused will need to have all the bearings cleaned and repacked. This includes the axles, BB, and headset.

Gibbygoo

Since I have no experience working on bikes, this will most likely be expensive to have done by an LBS. I wonder if it would be cheaper to just buy another bike and fix this one up later. I can try the cable and chain cleaning though.