Issue with right shifter
 

I recently picked up a 2001 Trek 2000 that is equipped with Shimano Tiagra STI Dual Control levers. There seems to be an issue with the right shifter. Just a note, this is my first bike with this style shifters, i've only had bikes with the twist style shifters at this point.

While riding the other day i went to change gears (to an inner gear on the rear) and when i pushed the lever in, it was very loose and had no tension as if the cable were broke. If i slightly apply the brake and attempt to shift, it then catches and shifts. This doesn't happen all the time.

I took it into my LBS a week ago and had them do a tune-up on the bike and i explained the issue to them. They said everything was fine, they couldn't duplicate the issue but they greased the shifter anyway.

Took the bike out again and it is still an issue. Any ideas on what may be causing this? Perhaps the shifter is bad or the cable has an issue?

Thanks

It's hard to second guess someone who actually had the bike in his hands. I'd need much more specific info.

But I do have a question. You say the right lever has a problem, yet you describe shifting the front. Front derailleurs are usually wired to the left shifter, so is your problem with the right/rear, or left/front?

I was just in the process or editing my original post, it is in fact the right shifter, changing the rear derailer to an inner gear.

sorry for the confusion, go a bit mixed up there.

This is a common problem with Shimano brale/ shifters; it's refereed to as Shimano sticky shifter syndrome. The cause seems to be the lube used by Shimano that cakes up with dirt over the years. Since Shimano brake/shifters are not technically rebuildable, the usual tact is to clean out the shifter using WD40 or carburetor cleaner and then relube; triflow seems to be popular.

+1. This is very common in older Shimano brifters. The one-step process is to hose out the mechanism with spray lube. WD-40 works, but it tends to gum back up. Petroleum-based lubes are my choice.

Thanks guys! I'll give this a try today.

Should i just pull the handle a little bit and spray into the opening or should i remove the from cover and go form there?

Open the QR at the brake, find any opening in the mechanism, and hose it out. The bike should be on a stand so you can run it up and down the gears. Use a bunch- it should be dripping when you finish. Clean it up when you're finished and go ride.

Thanks!