Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Front thumb shifter problem

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Front thumb shifter problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-14-14 | 04:51 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Front thumb shifter problem

My roadbike has Shimano 2200 shifters. The crank thumb shifter is really hard to shift, any suggestions?
nicechuck is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 05:10 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

Take it to a Bike shop , since you asked such a open question ...
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 05:43 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

It's hard to know since you offer few details, but usually this is friction.

Could be with in the FD itself -- test by shifting by pushing down on the arm .to see if it moves easily or not

Or, friction where the wire passes below the bottom bracket, (or down from top tube on top pull), test by shifting by pulling the bare wire away from the down tube like a bow string (compare the the RD wire using the same method)

Or if not there, it could be in the handlebar/frame housing.

Also, know that often levers get harder to shift, both front and rear, when the cable is beginning to fray in the lever before breaking. If you can't identify a source of friction, you might need a new cable (replace housing at the same time).
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 06:16 PM
  #4  
AnkleWork's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 105
From: Llano Estacado

Bikes: old clunker

Originally Posted by FBinNY
It's hard to know since you offer few details, but usually this is friction.

Could be with in the FD itself -- test by shifting by pushing down on the arm .to see if it moves easily or not

Or, friction where the wire passes below the bottom bracket, (or down from top tube on top pull), test by shifting by pulling the bare wire away from the down tube like a bow string (compare the the RD wire using the same method)

Or if not there, it could be in the handlebar/frame housing.

Also, know that often levers get harder to shift, both front and rear, when the cable is beginning to fray in the lever before breaking. If you can't identify a source of friction, you might need a new cable (replace housing at the same time).
(And you ask about OCD.)
It appears th OP has a problem with the thumb button on 2200 shifters, which is the release. Yes, they are frequently stiff. Most likely stiffness in the shifter mechanism itself (it may break-in) or possibly the high limit is set too "low" thus binding when in the big ring.
AnkleWork is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 06:27 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Originally Posted by AnkleWork
(And you ask about OCD.)
It appears th OP has a problem with the thumb button on 2200 shifters, which is the release. Yes, they are frequently stiff. Most likely stiffness in the shifter mechanism itself (it may break-in) or possibly the high limit is set too "low" thus binding when in the big ring.
I don't know what this has to do with OCD. I answer people's questions as best I can, but since you know everything you're free not to read my explanations if you find them too long.

If you have a better answer, feel free to post.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 06:29 PM
  #6  
AnkleWork's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 105
From: Llano Estacado

Bikes: old clunker

Originally Posted by FBinNY
I don't know what this has to do with OCD. . .
See your thread.
AnkleWork is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 06:34 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Originally Posted by AnkleWork
See your thread.
Yes, it was a thread I started as a tongue in cheek fun thread, and most people posted in that spirit. Apparently you saw it as an opportunity to be an ankle biter, which I gather reflects on your personality more than my OCD problem.

I gave you the courtesy of ignoring your snide post there, but apparently your personality defects are too pronounced to leave bad enough alone.

However, feel free to keep it up, because I give this kind of nonsense the attention it deserves - zero. I truly could not care less what you think.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 06:40 PM
  #8  
AnkleWork's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 105
From: Llano Estacado

Bikes: old clunker

Originally Posted by FBinNY
. . . your snide post . . .
Thin-skinned much? You are responsible for what you read into my posts. And on the subject of reading, you might consider reading as much as you write, like the questions, and other answers to start -- just a friendly suggestion.
AnkleWork is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 06:42 PM
  #9  
catonec's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo New York
pretty vague question but ill do what I can.

start by disconnecting your cable from your front deraileur. hold onto the cable end and apply slight pressure. try shifting. does it feel the same or different. if its the same your problem is either in the cable/housing, or shifter.

If it feels easier then your issue is with the setup of your front deraileur.

shifter/cable issue.
1. verify your housings are all seated properly in the braze ons.
2. no kinks or bends in the cable? pull the cable out and look for broken strands which may be catching.
3. alot of dirt inside housing will cause an issue.
4. you can spray wd40 inside your shifter to clean it out if it feels gummed up
5. replace cable and housing. be sure to use metal housing endcaps everywhere you can

Deraileur issue
1. with front deraileur disconnected see if you can push and hold the cage outward as you turn the cranks. does the chain move from one ring to the next. if not you need to adjust the limit screws
2. inspect the deraileur cage and spring, no damage? is it mounted to the frame in the optimal position??

check all these things. if its still problematic repost with all that info, or then bring to a shop.
gluck.
__________________
2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks

Last edited by catonec; 06-14-14 at 06:48 PM.
catonec is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 07:07 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Originally Posted by AnkleWork
Thin-skinned much? You are responsible for what you read into my posts. And on the subject of reading, you might consider reading as much as you write, like the questions, and other answers to start -- just a friendly suggestion.
No, not thin skinned, certainly not about anything you might say. In order for anybody to get under my skin, I'd have to respect them first, and you don't make the cut.

But if my long winded posts bother you as much as they seem to, I don't understand why you read them.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-14 | 09:35 PM
  #11  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Wow, you all are fast! Thank you for the help. Everything works fine except that, it changes with no problem except takes more pressure than it should. I notice that if I press it forward and down, it takes less pressure, which maybe means it's in the shifter. I will spray it with WD 40.
Thanks again everyone
nicechuck is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
walee112
Bicycle Mechanics
14
08-30-16 07:40 PM
sunburst
Bicycle Mechanics
9
11-12-13 12:20 PM
Blaser
Bicycle Mechanics
8
09-11-13 07:45 PM
chico1st
Bicycle Mechanics
4
03-01-11 10:43 PM
RobE30
Classic & Vintage
5
12-20-09 07:47 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.