Problem: just put new cables on for spring cleaning & can't get the chain to stay on outer ring when shifting

Setup: Shimano 105 front derailleur, shifters, double up front, 8 speed in back

Have done thus far: adjusted, set, checked rear derailleur using Sheldon & a few other sources. RD is set.

Also done: put chain onto inner chainring, biggest cog, adjust FD cage to not rub. Also set height/angle of FD at the clamp, using marks in paint and checking spacing from ring to cage at 1-2mm.

Then: pulled cable taut, secured with anchor bolt

Now: tried to shift into the outer ring and it moves there, but as soon as release shifter, falls back onto inner ring.

Tried a variety of things: pulling cable more/less, adjust barrel, playing with H/L screws.

Nothing works.

Solution?

Sounds like the outer limit screw on the FD needs adjustment out. either that, or the cable is too tight.

Tell us - does the shifter click when shifting into the big ring? If not, then relieve all cable tension and verify that the left shifter clicks up and down properly. If it works ok without cable tension, Then, re-string the cable and turn the adjustment screw out a little bit and try again. Keep doing that until it clicks in to place.

Thanks for the reply, bbm.

To answer your question: in the smallest cog and inner ring with all tension off (clicked rear shift mechanism down - shifter part behind the brake lever) I pushed the shifter in and it "clicks" three times as the lever swings in. Gets onto the outer ring nicely, but as I release the shifter, falls back to inner ring.

It clicks three times with all tension off? This is 105, right? The reason I ask is that the 9sp 105 on my wife's bike has four clicks - there's one for trim. Not sure about the 8 speed version.

Does it click three times with tension on? If not, adjust the outer limit screw until it does. If that's not it, the only other thing I can think of is that the shifter is already one click up when you tension the cable.

I'm not positive I know what you mean by tension on/off. Should I release the cable from the anchor bolt? Or do you just mean shifted into loose/tight cable position?

Here is what I just did: in smallest cog and inner ring I took all tension off (clicked shifter behind lever in), cable goes slack on downtube.

Then pushed the lever in to shift to outer ring. Hear 3 clicks, goes onto big ring, falls off when I release it. Now it sits on the inner ring, with plenty of tension on the cable on the downtube. If I push the lever again it doesn't make any clicks.

*RE: 3 clicks...these are a pair of used 105s (I buggered my right one by not knowing I need to be in my lowest gear to get the cable out to replace...I know, stupidest bike-related mistake I've ever made). Seller said he had both a triple and a double. Could I have gotten a triple, despite requesting a double? Any way to check? I still have the old shifters and the left worked, so I guess I could re-install it. But if I could check without undoing cables, brake, hoods, shifters, that would be nice.

Let's start from the beginning....

A Shimano 105 shifter (for a double ring) should have 3 clicks - one for each ring and one for trim.
A Shimano 105 shifter (for a triple ring) should have 4 clicks - one for each ring and one for trim.

Ok - now, loosen the binder bolt and take the cable off of the FD, so that the shifter is not connected to anything. Move the levers and click it up and down - you should get three clicks both ways. If you do, the shifter is most likely working properly. If not, there is a problem with the shifter.

Next, make sure the shifter is set to the small ring side by actuating the small (inside) lever until it stops clicking. Then, string the cable and check for function. The shifter should be able to click three times up and move the FD with each click. The click is the internal ratchet that keeps the FD from going back down until you use the small lever to release it.

If you cannot get the FD to move up and stay in the last position, then maybe it's not clicking into the final position and you need to adjust the outer limit until it does.

My guess is that you're either not starting in the bottom-most position, or you're not getting into the upper-most position. Either that, or your shifter is broken. Did this shifter work before, or is it a new (to you) replacement?