Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take part in the September Giveaway for 29" Giordano® Intrepid Mountain Bike valued at $659


Shifter help
#1
hi, I have a used bike I just purchased, it has a rapid fire shifter on it that wont shift all the way down, at first I thought the problem was in the rear but I'm beginning to believe it's in the shifter. Can someone please tell [/font]me how to determine which it is, the shifter or derailleur?
thanks
  Reply
#2
disconnect the cable from the derailleur; move the derailleur by hand across its stroke while turning the pedals (or remove the chain). The derailleur should spring to the H limit (little cog), but without too much force you should be able to move it to the L limit (big cog). Then make sure the limit screws are adjusted correctly.

The problem could also be a frayed cable - I'd replace all of the cables as a matter of course.
Nigel
  Reply
#3
what is the model of your shifter? how old is it? lets see a pic of it. it could have solidified grease causing it not to work right
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
  Reply
#4
Also, when you disconnect the cable, try holding the cable in your hand with light pressure and shift through the gears on the shifter. Count how many distinct positions you get. (Note that a 7 speed shifter will have 7 positions, but only 6 "clicks"). You should feel the cable move a couple mm on each click. If the # of positions doesn't match how many gears you have in the back, it could be a problem with the shifter or that someone put the wrong shifter on the bike.
  Reply
#5
(07-21-2013, 08:59 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  disconnect the cable from the derailleur; move the derailleur by hand across its stroke while turning the pedals (or remove the chain). The derailleur should spring to the H limit (little cog), but without too much force you should be able to move it to the L limit (big cog). Then make sure the limit screws are adjusted correctly.

The problem could also be a frayed cable - I'd replace all of the cables as a matter of course.

thank you, that was very helpful
  Reply
#6
(07-22-2013, 05:46 AM)DaveM Wrote:  Also, when you disconnect the cable, try holding the cable in your hand with light pressure and shift through the gears on the shifter. Count how many distinct positions you get. (Note that a 7 speed shifter will have 7 positions, but only 6 "clicks"). You should feel the cable move a couple mm on each click. If the # of positions doesn't match how many gears you have in the back, it could be a problem with the shifter or that someone put the wrong shifter on the bike.

thank you, very helpful
(07-21-2013, 08:59 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  disconnect the cable from the derailleur; move the derailleur by hand across its stroke while turning the pedals (or remove the chain). The derailleur should spring to the H limit (little cog), but without too much force you should be able to move it to the L limit (big cog). Then make sure the limit screws are adjusted correctly.

The problem could also be a frayed cable - I'd replace all of the cables as a matter of course.

thanks for the advice......very helpful
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
2,087
08-02-2021, 07:23 AM
Last Post: Blank.Toogii

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Colnago restoration
Today 01:41 PM
"Multi-class ebikes"
Today 12:30 PM
Help me choose my bike(Dilemma)
Today 08:39 AM
E-Bike Batteries Keep Exploding. What’s ...
Yesterday 06:37 PM
Shimano Recall
Yesterday 03:41 PM
SHIMANO Reamed by US Authorities for sel...
Yesterday 08:35 AM
sram xdr cassette installation
Yesterday 06:27 AM
China has thousands of bikes left to go ...
Yesterday 06:23 AM
NEVER BUY FROM ECOTRIC
09-30-2023 10:30 PM
Wildlife encounters while cycling
09-30-2023 02:50 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. ichitan
56 posts
no avatar 2. GirishH
20 posts
no avatar 3. Painkiller
16 posts
no avatar 4. ReapThaWhirlwind
13 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
11 posts