How To Fix Shifter Not Catching/Clicking - Won't Shift
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- I show how to easily fix many indexing type shifters that won't shift. In this case it's a road bike STI brifter, but it also works for mountain bike trigger shifters as well. Where the shifter just isn't catching. The pawls get stuck with old grease. I just clean out the old grease with WD-40 and then lube the shifter with Tri-Flo. It only took a couple minutes to get the shifter working like new. I have heard of bike shops telling people the shifters were broken and needed to be replaced, but the people tried this method and got them working again. Though sometimes the shifters may be genuinely broken. But often than not, they are just gummed up.
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@Dave Sihaloho No I wouldn't.
@비니보이 More often than not, it's just stuck pawls. Try this. Keep in mind, it can sometimes take longer, and repeated applications of solvent and movement to get the pawls freed up.
@비니보이 I don't know. Doesn't hurt to keep trying for a bit. It could be broken. It does happen.
Ligit the exact story I had with a norco picante from 1997 thanks a great deal
Great info, you have inspired my 14 year old kid to work on his bike and now is tooling on his friends. Keeps him away from the TV and games which were his addiction. He's not lazy, just not interested. Now taking his bike apart is his passion. He tries everything you post, and the people at the bike shop know him by name now. Once more thank you for sharing. A little goes a long way.
Way cool! :D
That's great news 👍👍
SISCO KID I hope his friends don't mind.
Good to hear. My sons have sex addition problems (caught them masturbating at porn too many times to count), and I am trying go inspire them to fix their own bikes as well. Please bless us with good luck!
@@donchiva2222 WD 40 might help them too
RJ you just saved me $180 and a lot of hunting for an old set of ultegra 10 speed shifters! You’re a legend for putting up all this info for free & so well explained too.
I was getting ready to go throught the complete overhaul of the shifters and this video saved me a couple of hours (and more aggravation). The right one took a bit more convincing that in the video, but at the end it started catching as new. I sprayed new lubricant inside and I'm ready to go. Thank you, RJ !
I just fixed my shifter using your method, my old bike after 10 years of stillness now is ready to go outside!
Only WD-40 in not enough to unlock internal gears and mechanical parts. I heat the part with hairdryer and after some seconds CLACK CLACK!! The lever is unlocked and working like magic! The heat melted and made the sticky fat much more fluid. I'm so happy, thank you! You saved me much money!
I can’t believe how simple of a solution this is. I messed with the derailleur and cable tension for probably 20 minutes before realizing the shifter was the problem. Then I tried taking it apart to see what was wrong. Fortunately, I found this video before getting too far with disassembly. Of course, the WD40 fixed the problem instantly. Thanks for the video six years later!
I’ve been riding the same bike since 2005, and this was happening increasingly frequently on the third chainring. During the last few rides, the third chainring was completely inaccessible.
You just saved me $250, the price of a new pair of Ultegra 2x10 shifters: WD40 followed by light oil did the trick, and I didn't even need to unwrap the bar tape; just find the nub of the gear cable by sqeezing the lever and sqirt. Genius!
Huge thanks! My Dura-Ace front derailleur down-shift lever missed the pawl 10-50% of the time. I just started riding again after my bike sat for a couple years, so this makes perfect sense. I lubed everything but the cables and shifters (flight decks) just to get riding before sundown, so the shifter was still gummed up even though it felt fine. Lubed the flight deck (didn't feel WD-40 was needed) yesterday and NAILED IT! No more missed downshifts. THANKS!
Midnight before my first race of the season. Everything’s packed and I pull my bike down to give the chain a layer of lube to soak overnight. Panic strikes when the shifter won’t engage the gears!! I was freaking out, thinking I’d need to replace the cable.
Merckx be praised I found your channel (and have some WD40 in the garage)! I thought it was a long shot, but THIS TOTALLY WORKED! Thank you so much!!
Now...off to bed, I’ve got to dish out some suffering in a few hours.
RJ, your method worked great on my ancient Shimano 105 shifter. Symptoms exactly as you described in your video, and solution was exactly as you demonstrated. You saved me $, not having to buy new parts or even burn time disassembling! Muchas gracias - simple, practical, elegant solution.
Wow! Went to town with bike not ridden for 13 years. By time I left town bike still not started. Brought home - watched this and got both my derailleurs unstuck. Then did my husbands bike. Used the wd40 but didn’t have the spray oil so just turned bike upside down and used chain oil. Thanks so much!
This totally worked on my 1999 Mongoose I got back in high school! Shifts like new now. Great video!
I recently purchased a beautiful, late 90's, Giant Team CFR composite bike for $25 that had nice 105 shifters. It also came with an extra pair of ITM Super 330 bars with Ultegra shifters. I didn't think much about it until I watched your video. Sure enough, the left one wouldn't disengage to release cable allowing to shift to smaller front chaining. I followed your instructions, wiggled, sprayed, jiggled, but still nothing. I sprayed again and let it sit overnight , then this morning "click, click". WORKS PERFECTLY......... Now in addition to the "way cool" retro yellow carbon fiber bike, I have fully functioning brifters for a my newest project, a 90's Titanium VanTuyl full Ultegra TT bike that I'm converting from bullhorns to drops.(got it for $30+$10 gas).................RJ ,YOU ARE THE MAN.........
He really is! I cannot speak highly enough about him. Really really honest videos, and exceptionally clever down-to-earth-man.
And his video *quality* is second-to-none too. The picture quality, exposure, he uses nice light environments, uses tripods, the subject is always nicely in focus, perfect clarity every time. He gets the sound perfect too which MOST others don't. You can always hear him really clearly. His vids are just so nice to watch.
He *can* be a bit grumpy at times in commenting, but as a mechanic....wow, I really don't think you could find any better. Even looking at ALL of the different areas that he works with, there is not a single thing mechanically he can't put his hand to. The guy would honestly have been an asset to NASA!
Brilliant! Bike shop wanted hundreds to fix - this took 5 minutes and worked perfectly. Awesome!!
Well, after trying this a second time today and not giving up, I succeeded in reviving a front shifter that had been locked up for maybe 10 years. I had switched to riding a hybrid but recently got motivated to use my road bike again. Now my 20-year-old GT Force, a bike I always really liked, is back on the road. Thank-you, RJ!
Awesome!
Quick question on lube. I know you recommended Tri-Flow but I already have some Boeshield T-9 on hand. Is this an acceptable option, do you have any thoughts to share regarding relative merits of different bike lube products? Thanks. -Ken
I don't know Boeshield T-9. Never used it. Can't Say. Many bike shops use Tri Flow.
Ok, thanks, RJ. Really appreciate your videos. I went to your website to see if maybe you had info/guidance on lube and when your reply arrived I was in the middle of watching your re-enactment of the time that cyclist flipped you off for no apparent reason - crazy story!
I have this same exact issue with the same exact brifters, Shimano RSXs, on a 96 Trek 1220 I found. I was about to dismantle them, so glad I searched the problem and found this video first.
Thanks! Just fixed 20 year old Shimano RX -100 small cogs shifter. Must have saved me quite a few Australian dollars. You are a generous genius.
RJ saves the day yet another time. I googled my problem a video of yours popped up and sure enough you had my back once again. Your videos are truly a tressure. All the the best wishes from Denmark.
Sir, you are a star, thank you for saving me from frustration, and anguish. A straight forward method that works, is it all it took to resolve my gear problem.
My bike had been sitting for a few years and I wanted to start riding again. Except it had this problem where once it got to a certain gear, the bike wouldn't shift. So my bike wouldn't shift past certain gears. The shifter would basically just press all the way back but wouldn't do anything. Most of the answers I found online were the shifter cable needed tension, but that didn't work when I tried it. I figured it had to be something wrong with the shifter, but then I found your video and this was the exact solution to my problem. Once I started working in the WD-40, the shifter started to snag again so that it could shift gears all the way. Thank you for making this video!
I had my shifter not shifting and then came across this. I had no expectations this was going to solve my issue. I had nothing to lose so I tried it. IT WORKED!! Thank you for posting this
My wife had the rear shifter replaced because of this problem a few years ago. Front shifter froze after sitting for a year, but this video saved the cost of taking it to the shop again. Worked PERFECTLY! Thank you!
If you have just sorted my problem out then you sure are amazing will update after I have got some wd40.
Update: you sir are amazing my gears are now perfectly smooth and working great 👍
Worked for my MTB front shifter - saved me an entirely unnecessary trip to the bike shop. Thanks!
I recently acquired a road bike, my first ever, I'm used to mountain bikes so I'd never seen this shifting mechanism before. I thought there was something badly wrong with it, but it was just as you'd described. Thank you so much!
I am so chocked that this actually worked. I tried it out yesterday, mega sceptical. For a long time nothing happend, but suddenly it started to click! Thank you soo much!
I had the same problem with a Tiagra 4700 shifter, I tried the fix in your video and it now works. Thanks a lot for the video. It seems that it is a common problem on this type of shfiter.
Thank you RJ. I had this exact problem on my own bike when I was 800 miles away from home. I used WD 40 and TriFlow as you recommended. I was skeptical, but it worked after only a few minutes, just like in your video. I am very happy!
thanks so much for this video. I have an old Trek 2100 that is a great classic carbon fiber bike with Shimano rs100 shifters. I was down to one speed, and after watching your video, I was able to completely return it to working condition. Thanks much.
I've got a 2100 too! Same problem with shifters. So glad I found this video!
Someone told me what to do but you showed me how to do it properly. Thank you
We were given my late brother in law's bike and it had this exact problem. Thank you immensely for helping resolve this issue. I'm so happy we are able to ride the bike and add some more k's on it rather than it just be an ornament.
Thank you so much for this. I've wrenched on my own bikes for 30 years, and was about to drop way too much money on a new ultegra shifter for a used cannondale I just picked up. The guy discounted it because the shifter wasn't working! This totally worked!!!!! Thank you!
My rear derailleur wasn’t shifting and after I watched your video and spray some WD-40 and it shifted flawlessly. You saved me a trip to the bike shop and money. Thank you!
i bought a cannondale at an auction, not knowing the shifter didn't work. I was bummed to find it didn't. A bike store owner recommended just using Tri Flow, and try to loosen up the grease inside. Triflow didn't work, but low and behold WD40 did. Thank you for this video....I'm thinking I'm good to go now
Follow up the WD-40 with tri-flo for lube.
I tuned up my bikes for the first time in a few years to work on my social distancing, and to my dismay none of the shifters worked correctly! This is the first and only vid I watched and it worked like a charm! Thank you!!
Just bought a BH Top Line with this issue. Will try it out first thing tomorrow! Fantastic!!!
Pulled my 2009 Scott Speedster S30 out of the garage to clean it up and sell it. Both shifters had this exact problem. Your WD40 trick worked great. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the tip. The bike shop wanted lots of money ($250) to replace my shifter. I delayed the repair and explored the net instead to find your tip. W40 did the trick. It took lots of it and patience but my shifter is working well now.
Just tried this on my 2005 Dura Ace equipped Trek Madone 5.9. The up shifting mechanism on the rear cassette would not engage at all. Used technique shown in this video and it worked like a charm !!!!! I was certain the shifter was stripped/broken and would have to be replaced for $$$. Good ole WD-40 and Tri-Flow did the job.
Thanks for sharing this information. I was just about to bring my road bike to the shop because it wouldn't shift to the highest gears. I can't believe the fix was a simple as spraying the inside of the shifter with WD-40. This vid saved me lots of time and money! Thanks gain!!
I was almost sure i would have to spend money at a bike shop to get this fixed, 3 minutes on youtube and problem solved, Thanks RJ.
Used this houdini lock lubricant that I have that I use for lubricating electrified door hardware... penetrates, cleans, and lubricates, and protects. My shifter works flawlessly now! Thanks for the video!
I had the same issue with my Shimano Ultegra shifters. Your suggestion did the trick. It is nice to nave consistent shifting again. Thanks RJ
Rode yesterday in a hard head wind 13 miles back to my car in the big chain ring because it stopped shifting. Praying I could do something myself I stumbled on this video. Grabbed a can of WD40 and was so surprised this works. Things never work this easily for me. Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!
Follow up with Tri-Flo.
Worked like a charm. I was always taught to never put any lubricants in my shifter pods but I guess I learned wrong. Thanks.
worked like a charm. WD-40 and Tri-Flow. Wow, that was a heck of a lot easier and cheaper than buying new/used DuraAce shifters and installing them. Guess I need to go for a ride now.
Awesome fixed my old Ultegra 9 speed x2 shifters, Works perfectly now!!! Bike shop was pushing for a new drivetrain and I just bought a bottle of tri-flow!!!
Fantastic suggestion! My left shifter would only catch sometimes so I took your advice and now it catches every time. Thanks!
I'm impressed. Fixed the issue quickly. You also know what WD40 is good for and NOT good for.
This worked great for my DA 7800 shifters. I thought they needed to be rebuilt. They were getting worse for about two years. I cleaned them immediately after watching this video and now they work like new! Thanks for the great video!!!!!
That worked! I didn't believe that a complex mechanism could have a simple fix.
Fixed my 25 years old RSX shifters, thanks!
I was on the verge of buying a replacement shifter for my Dura Ace 7800 shifter before I came across your video. Just tried it and it worked like a charm! Thanks very much!
thank... my 105 shifter just came back from a graveyard, just like new
same - crazy, genuinely thought it was dead
Same
Thanks so much for posting this! You just saved me making a mistake by getting rid of my bike! You’re awesome!
Thank you so much, been losing my mind over why the shift wouldn't work. Turns out the WD40 was just the trick. Cheers!
Just ordered some tools and cables for mine. Going to try this first! Looks like the issue I’m having after winter storage.
Thank you , thank you, thank you. This 100% solved my sticking Dura Ace shifters that even my bike shop said I’d have to replace, but they couldn’t get for me.
So glad I watched! Back to rollin’
I got the same advice. Almost bought a new shifter and then searched RUclips and found RJ. The rest is history. RJ for President.
Excellent video! With MTB rapidfire shifters, you can take off the casing to see the innards and then you can actually see which pawl(s) aren't springing back and just target the gt85/wd40 to the gunked up pawl and wiggle it free with a flathead screwdriver... that way you don't need to go crazy with solvent everywhere and having to then re-lube it all. Most have a topbolt so you can easily remove the shifter without the hassle of sliding the grips and levers off first.
my shifters on the RSX SHIMANO system were doing exactly what you described. I use tri flow all the time. I flooded the inside and pawls. with a little work, they started working great!! thanks for the tip!!
Just bought an all original 1995 Norco Forza, RX components the front derailleur had the same issue. I'm trying this method out!
This is a very, very good tip. Thanks. I was concerned that my gear shifters weren't making enough of a "click sound". They worked, but the cliick was missing. Somethign was about to go wrong, I think. Once again, thanks for taking the time to upload. It's much appreciated.
Thank you. I was just about to replace the whole shifter cable when I came across your video. This is all that was needed.
I skipped the WD-40 step and went to the tri flow but I used the bottle with the tiny straw dispenser. That didn’t work so well so I came to your channel to see how to do it right,. Thanks for your videos.
holy cow this worked! my shifter was completely unresponsive. i didn't have any wd-40 on hand. i used 3-in-1 garage door lube to get it working again. Thanks RJ!
Just like to send you thanks 🙏 from Denmark 🇩🇰 where I just did this fix for a friend of mine after watching this video …. Very appreciated
Thankyou! This fixed my shifter in under 30 seconds. Amazing! And I was here I was searching for a replacement shifter......
Thanks man, just got a bargain because he thought gears were broken. Half a bottle of WD40 later and they're running great!
Thanks Man! Just bought a road bike with Ultegra gruppo, front derailleur wasn't shifting. I did the WD40 part, yay it works!!! Ordered some Tri-flow to finish the job up tomorrow. Thanks again!
Had exact issue, this sorted it. Cheers mate
Thank-you RJ. That's another problem fixed. After hours of fiddling and frustration, I blasted my shifter innards with degreaser and lube, and now my shifting is (almost) all working.
Almost?
Fantastic. Saved me a trip to the bike shop and/or a new shifter.
I just picked up a Klein Stage bicycle yesterday and the shifters were stuck. I dont own WD-40, so I used Marvel Air Tool oil, shifters work perfect in less than a minute lubricating where you said.
This exact video just fixed my bike. Legend thanks dude
thank you so much. Saved me a lot as i dont have to replace my shifter. Kudos
Amazing! Troubleshooting the shifting problems on my bicycle have finally come to an end. Thank you so much for this video ❤
WD40 a few rounds worked. Both shifters are back to life. Thank for this video.
Hi there RJ,
Just wanted to say a massive thank you to you.
I've just resurrected a pair of RSX 7 speed/triple shifters on my Dads bike that's been stored in his garage for the best part of 20 years.
The levers were totally dead, stuck in the highest gears with no indexing at all.
WD40 worked its magic, then a bit of GT85 and now they feel like they did when I fitted them over 20 years ago!
Thank you RJ your a genius.👍😊🚴
Another method to try is to spray some degreaser ( such as Super Clean ) or WD-40 into the mechanism, let it sit for a minute then get some high precision instrument, or electric parts cleaner and with the little tube you can blast out the old grease with the high pressure from the aerosol can. Those instrument cleaners dry almost instantly and leave no residue, repeat as needed and then use proper lube to finish.
Left shifter stuck. Flooded with WD-40, and was able to move from big ring to middle to small, in fairly short order. Moving back up seems to be more of a problem. Will give it 24 hrs and soak again, while I go and pick up some Tri-Flow. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks buddy. I've been living with intermittently working shifter (ultegra 6800). Now the shifter is shifting crisply.
That was awesome info. You saved me a trip to the bike shop, some money, time and gas. Thank you very much!
Thanks man! My shimano ultrega shifters work again! It needed WD-40 and some lubricant to bring them back! Now they are like new.
worked like a charm - bike shop said there was nothing they could do to fix it. They wanted to sell me new shifters!!!! I have Dura Ace - couple hundred dollars saved with WD-40 and getting some Tri flow to regrease it
Spot on.. Work like a charm... Thank you!! I think you saved me 50,6o bucks that could have been spent on service Centre
I was going to replace the whole brake shifter and then I saw this. 5 bucks for some silicone lubricant and it works perfectly. Thank you!
Great video, I have spent the last few days trying to fix this and your video just saved me a trip to the shop and alot of money
Tried lubing my gear shifter and it fixed it on the first try!
Fantastic, worked exactly as expected. I can properly shift again!
Super great info! My bike gears didn't work when I came to my bike today. I did what you said in the video and after a short time, everything worked perfectly again. Big thanks!
This worked like magic on my GRX 800 shifter!
Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. Very helpful and appreciated!Cheers, Byron
Whooa this video just saved me a headache! Worked immediately
Nice video - I would have pulled back the STI rubber hood and covered it (and the bartape near it) before spraying WD-40. Although it's basically lithaine that spray will still leave a greasy residue on rubber.
Just did this with Tr-Flow and it fixed my Ultegra shifters, thanks!
This was exactly what I needed - my gears where shifting okay downward but not upward. All other videos I could find focused on tightening the cable, working with the derailer, etc. This went right to the problem and the solution worked perfectly. Thanks RJ you’ll be my go to videos from now on.
I want your "Hey-theres" greeting as my text tone... just the best.
You’re my hero for this. Thank you!!!
I had the exact same problem, and this method fixed it. Thanks a bunch!
This just saved me so much time and money 😅 Cheers!