Do I Need to Replace my Shifter?
 

I ride to work on a 1993 Cannondale H 400 two days a week. As of late, the rear trigger shifter when shifting to a larger gear (is that up or down), has not been 100%. What I mean is that I now have to shift it twice to get the derailleur to move. The first time, I get nothing and then it catches on the second try. Is my trigger shifter wearing out? Where would one get a replacement? These shifters have a long throw and no click like new ones do. If I replace it can I get one with clicks and a short throw or should I use a true replacement and get just what I got.

The stock recommendation is to start with hitting the shifter with a long blast of WD-40 inside, as the grease inside tends to become gummy with age.

What to use as a replacement, should it be needed, depends on what make/model/no of speeds your derailer/cassette is. Tell us and we might be able to help.

Depends on what you mean by larger?
A Larger cog is a lower gear which is a downshift.

What happens when the cable is not attached to the rear derailleur? does the shifter work then?

Have you tried replacement cables (inners and outers)? Are the cable still correctly routed, has a ferrule(cable end) come out of its guide?

For replacements if needed, stock the 1993 came with Atlus A10's, these were rapidfire+ combined brake /shifter (STI), modern 7 speed shifters can be used, you would need to get an STI version, or seperate brake lever, which ever you got, wou but you would need to get non-v brake version.

You do realize that this bike and shifter are 20 years old so having it wear out should not be a surprise. Try the WD-40 bath first to see if that loosens up the mechanism and gets it to work again. If not, you will need any model 7-speed Shimano shifter that fits your bars.

Agreed on the lube spray. No guarantee but its never not worked for me.

Or the cable might just be too loose. But if these are 20-year-old cables, there's a slight chance they'll need to be replaced.

Here's the complete scoop on setting up and adjusting derailleurs: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...illeur-systems

I used some WD40 and my problems have been solved. Thanks for your advice. I even have clicks between shifts now. TM.