Cannondale F500
 

I have a F500 1996 Mt. bike that I'd like to build up to use for commuting. Since a I have a couple other bikes I haven't paid much attention to this one. Just yesterday when checking it over I noticed the shifter no longer shifts. When I pull the trigger it has absolutely no friction so no gear changes. Is there anything I can check in the gearing to get it to work again. I really don't want to replace components right now if I don't have to.

Both left and right shifters? I was going to say possibly the cable bolt on the derailleur end is not tightened, or even attached, but unlikely that both are like that.

First thing is to check there's no bends in the cable housing, then spray out the shifter w WD-40. If none of that works then a 21 speed grip shifter set and cables are pretty inexpensive. How is the headshok feeling?

seems to be just the right hand side. The left side does need adjustment but it shifts to the two largest. The left side does nothing. Not even a bit of resistance.

If I have to replace the shifter Id rather go with trigger shifters. I have another bike that has grip shift and I always seem to shift gear when standing up to pedal.
The headshox seems fine. no real problem that I can feel. Steering is good as well.

There are few if any 7 speed pods any more but Shimano's EZ-fire sets would work. If you have cantilever brakes you need to flip the brake cable seat to the alternate short pull position

Can you explain a bit more to me about "flipping the brake cable seat". I'm wanting to switch over to a disc brake set up sometime in the future but for now it the cantilevers.

What might I have to change around when I switch over to disc brakes? I'm wondering if I should just save up the money and do everything at once if I have to change more then 2 or 3 things.

I don't think you can put disk brakes on that bike.

Cantilever brakes need a shorter cable pull than V brakes so the brake levers have two ways to hold the cable end.

Shown on page 3 here http://si.shimano.com/pdfs/dm/DM-ST0001-05-ENG.pdf

does anyone think this set up will work on my bike? It's one of the only 7 sets I could find.

Shimano 7 Speed Groupset ST-EF500 3x7 Speed Shifters Set + FD-TY500 Front Derailleur + RD-TY300 Rear Derailleur Direct Mount