Posting for a Friend: Broken Shifter Problem
10-07-11, 07:28 PM
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Posting for a Friend: Broken Shifter Problem
I'm posting this for a friend...
Anyone know anything about shifters on a bike? DH's won't go on the largest sprocket and the bike shop wants to replace it instead of repairing it. Below is what he asked me to post on a bike forum which promptly told us to go buy new components. We figure the answers were by the same kind of kids who worked in the bike shop and who always just want the latest and greatest.
Thanks!
"I have a Shimano XTR component set on my mountain bike and I've been having some trouble getting the chain up on to the largest ring on the front sprocket of my bike (the crankset?). The crank sprocket contains three rings (I hope that's the correct terminology) and the derailleur can shift between the lower two rings just fine, but it just won't go out to the largest ring. I thought perhaps that the stops (terminology?) needed adjusting or the cable needed tightening, so I fiddled around with those and it never got any better. I gave up and took it into a local bike shop and they told me that may cable and stops were adjusted just finfe, but the shifter on my left handlebar (which controls the front derailleur) was shot. It just doesn't want to push the derailleur out to that final ring.
They then informed me that there is no hope in fixing it and that I needed to replace it because the shifer contains too many delicate parts (like a watch) and I couldn't get parts for it anyway because my components are so old (we purchased the bike, brand new in the late 90s). They then went on to explain that I would not be able to just purchase and replace that one shifter. They claimed that I need to replace the entire component set because I have a 9 ring rear cassette which is no longer supported in the XTR line, so I need to get new shifters, derailleurs, crank, cassette and brakes (the brake levers are built into the same module as the shifter).
When I balked at the four digit price tag they were dangling in front of me, they recommended I could replace the lever with an XT version and not have to replace any of the other gear. Does any of this make sense?"
Thanks!
"I have a Shimano XTR component set on my mountain bike and I've been having some trouble getting the chain up on to the largest ring on the front sprocket of my bike (the crankset?). The crank sprocket contains three rings (I hope that's the correct terminology) and the derailleur can shift between the lower two rings just fine, but it just won't go out to the largest ring. I thought perhaps that the stops (terminology?) needed adjusting or the cable needed tightening, so I fiddled around with those and it never got any better. I gave up and took it into a local bike shop and they told me that may cable and stops were adjusted just finfe, but the shifter on my left handlebar (which controls the front derailleur) was shot. It just doesn't want to push the derailleur out to that final ring.
They then informed me that there is no hope in fixing it and that I needed to replace it because the shifer contains too many delicate parts (like a watch) and I couldn't get parts for it anyway because my components are so old (we purchased the bike, brand new in the late 90s). They then went on to explain that I would not be able to just purchase and replace that one shifter. They claimed that I need to replace the entire component set because I have a 9 ring rear cassette which is no longer supported in the XTR line, so I need to get new shifters, derailleurs, crank, cassette and brakes (the brake levers are built into the same module as the shifter).
When I balked at the four digit price tag they were dangling in front of me, they recommended I could replace the lever with an XT version and not have to replace any of the other gear. Does any of this make sense?"
10-07-11, 08:34 PM
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You can try fixing it by following the directions here
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-dosen-t-click
If that doesn't work, an Shimano XT, LX, or Deore replacement shifter should work.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-dosen-t-click
If that doesn't work, an Shimano XT, LX, or Deore replacement shifter should work.
10-07-11, 08:59 PM
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If the shifter is for the left then new 3 speed front shifters will work just fine.
However, Shimano made their mountain components with integrated shift/brake levers for a couple of years (mid '00s, I think) and if this is what he has then it might be more complicated.
However, Shimano made their mountain components with integrated shift/brake levers for a couple of years (mid '00s, I think) and if this is what he has then it might be more complicated.
10-08-11, 08:24 AM
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"However, Shimano made their mountain components with integrated shift/brake levers for a couple of years (mid '00s, I think) and if this is what he has then it might be more complicated. "
Not complicated at all, just replace the integrated component with separate shifters and brake levers. I did just that recently on 2 bikes and have been very satisfied, using Shimano shifters and brake levers. I like being able to position and angle the shift and brake functions separately, and it is visually unobtrusive if that is a consideration.
Not complicated at all, just replace the integrated component with separate shifters and brake levers. I did just that recently on 2 bikes and have been very satisfied, using Shimano shifters and brake levers. I like being able to position and angle the shift and brake functions separately, and it is visually unobtrusive if that is a consideration.
10-08-11, 08:32 AM
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If it is just the shifter for the front derailleur, it is just a standard 3 speed that, just get a new 3 speed shifter. and as dsbrantjr said, if it is one of the ones that has integrated brakes and shifter (like what I currently have) just get a new shifter and brake lever. As for the rear derailleur shifter, a 9 speed deore shifter should work, but if it is shifting fine I wouldn't worry about replacing it, unless you are one of those people that require everything to match for looks 
10-08-11, 08:48 AM
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You can probably just replace the left by finding one or one similar on eBay. If your shifter and brake are one unit, this might be a good time to separate both, get away from integrated units.
Gunk can be a problem, with respect to the shifter and the cable. I'd flush the shifter with WD40 and visually inspect the uptake without the full cable attached. It may be the cable is seizing in the jacket, refusing to give a full pull to the FD. I had one like that, it turned out the shifter was perfect, the problem was down the line.
Gunk can be a problem, with respect to the shifter and the cable. I'd flush the shifter with WD40 and visually inspect the uptake without the full cable attached. It may be the cable is seizing in the jacket, refusing to give a full pull to the FD. I had one like that, it turned out the shifter was perfect, the problem was down the line.
10-08-11, 09:53 AM
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XTR is Shimano's premier MTB component line and is priced accordingly. Unless your friend insists on top tier stuff, XT, LX or even Deore will work very well at a fraction of the cost.
One way to diagnose the source of the problem is to disconnect the front shift cable at the front derailleur and try to shift the bike by hand while turning the crank. If you can get it to shift to all three chainrings that way, then the problem is either inadequate cable tension or the shifter really is shot. If not, try backing out the high limit screw and test it again.
From what your friend wrote it sounds like he made a lot of cable and limit screw changes without knowing what he was doing.
One way to diagnose the source of the problem is to disconnect the front shift cable at the front derailleur and try to shift the bike by hand while turning the crank. If you can get it to shift to all three chainrings that way, then the problem is either inadequate cable tension or the shifter really is shot. If not, try backing out the high limit screw and test it again.
From what your friend wrote it sounds like he made a lot of cable and limit screw changes without knowing what he was doing.
Last edited by HillRider; 10-08-11 at 09:57 AM.
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