Danny1962

I have a Batavus with a 3 speed IGH, it must be pre 1997 because it is marked as a Sachs rather than an SRAM. It uses a 3 position trigger shifter.

When I first got the bike (used) it tended to jump out of 1st gear when under strain, for instance when going uphill. A bike shop adjusted the gears for me but they didn't replace the shifter. Now it stays in 1st when you want it to. But when you change up from 1st, you still have to hold the trigger so that it doesn't jump straight past 2nd into 3rd -- you can't just flick and rely on it to click up just one slot.

These two threads imply it is the shifter that is worn.
https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2010/...-thoughts.html (see comments)
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...igger-shifters

Question 1... Does that sound like my problem? A worn shifter?

Question 2: I can get a replacement here:
https://hollandbikeshop.com/sram-vers...a_pid4462.html

It looks identical to my existing one apart from the labelling.
Are these shifters as interchangeable as they look?

Question 3: Is it a simple task to change it? Is it pretty obvious what to do?

and Question 4: When it's all back together again, how do I adjust the mechanism at the hub so it all works well?

Many Thanks

jim hughes

Yes it does sound to me like the shifter is worn. They're highly interchangeable. Adjustment consists mostly of just removing the slack from the cable when it's in 3rd, and then tweaking the barrel adjuster a bit if it still doesn't shift right.

Danny1962

OK, that's good to know. It should be a relatively cheap and simple job.

I've ordered a new shifter along with a replacement snelbinder [clip-on elastic rear luggage strap] and some other small parts that you only seem able to get in Holland. It should be with me within a week and I'll change it, then let everyone know how things went.

As far as the minor adjustment at the barrel adjuster is concerned, presumably I turn it clockwise to tighten the cable up? But how will I know if I need to tighten or loosen?

Danny1962

Mission accomplished. The part turned up quickly, it really was a simple job. The new shifter fitted perfectly and it feels much crisper. You can see from the photos that the new lever lines up with the gear numbers much better.

Photos are here: https://picasaweb.google.com/1100556...eedLeverChange

If I really wanted to be purist to the bike as it was designed I suppose I could refit the new innards upside down into the old case, but I really can't be bothered. I take a pragmatic view that it's better to keep the new unit all together, and it's better to keep a bike on the road with new parts than try to remain true to the original with the old ones.

Jim, I'm grateful for your assurances about the job overall, and the adjustment. It wasn't difficult, I did as you suggested and put it in 3rd whilst getting it all set up. Then with a 2.5mm hex key to tighten/loosen the cable grip screw, and with a set of pliers to hold the cable end, I nudged the cable back little by little until I could get it into 1st easily. There was no barrel adjuster.

jim hughes

Yes it's really a simple system to set up and adjust. I used this hub year-round for a couple of years, but in the end - after ruining 2 - I found them to be not durable enough and went back to derailleurs.

Danny1962

In a related thread I have talked more about adjustment. I had got the right result earlier but by using the wrong method.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...o)-3-speed-hub