Discussion
My first long ride outside for a while this morning (I've been longer TT sessions).....around 35 miles into a 60 mile loop my front mech was really struggling to shift from the big ring to the small ring....and with 25 miles to go it just wouldn't shift. So for 25 miles I had nothing but the small ring, which was really frustrating because I was, at that point, on a net uphill 
Not sure what it is....the mech still moves, but is quite temperemental (suggesting it isn't the cable), and the fact it can still move some times I'm less inclined to think it was the shifter lever, but the lever is VERY stiff to move it (both levers were replaced last summer due to the shifter for the rear getting a broken ratchet)....which I guess leaves the possibility of it being the front mech itself.
It's at Halfords now (they can look at it today, they replaced the levers so if it is that then they'll be done under warranty). What do we reckon it is, based on those symptoms?
Was really frustrating not being able to go above 20-21mph, ruined my ride, but these things happen I guess!
Not sure what it is....the mech still moves, but is quite temperemental (suggesting it isn't the cable), and the fact it can still move some times I'm less inclined to think it was the shifter lever, but the lever is VERY stiff to move it (both levers were replaced last summer due to the shifter for the rear getting a broken ratchet)....which I guess leaves the possibility of it being the front mech itself.
It's at Halfords now (they can look at it today, they replaced the levers so if it is that then they'll be done under warranty). What do we reckon it is, based on those symptoms?
Was really frustrating not being able to go above 20-21mph, ruined my ride, but these things happen I guess!
Could be the nut inside the shifter come loose if it's 105 or Ultegra. The thread can unscrew with the motion of the left hand leaver.
The nut acts as the bearing for the front of the spindle, so allows play in the spindle when it works loose and eventually drops out causing the leaver to feel like it's jamming.
Mine came loose and dropped out on a local ride a few years ago, I re-rode the area where I first noticed it playing up and unbelievably managed to find it lying in the road (it's about the size of an m4 nut). Loctited it back in it's been fine since.
The nut acts as the bearing for the front of the spindle, so allows play in the spindle when it works loose and eventually drops out causing the leaver to feel like it's jamming.
Mine came loose and dropped out on a local ride a few years ago, I re-rode the area where I first noticed it playing up and unbelievably managed to find it lying in the road (it's about the size of an m4 nut). Loctited it back in it's been fine since.
IroningMan said:
Cable fraying inside the lever housing? Or winter crud causing the mech to seize.
The latter, it turns out! They removed the mech, cleaned it up, oiled it and reassembled and it's now working fine.A little surprising as I'm usually pretty fastidious with keeping on top of keeping the drivetrain clean. At least it's sorted now
Kermit power said:
Man takes bike to Halfords. Man leaves happy.
That's got to be a first!!
That's got to be a first!!
I gave the bike a good clean yesterday but this afternoon I had some free time so I got out a selection of brushes, a fast evaporating degreaser and thoroughly cleaned the whole drivetrain, with particular attention to the front mech (and its spring....which still looked a little grubby) and once done, wiped off any remaining grub as best I could (that spring isn't easy to get to!!!) and then finger-applied a thick grease to all of the moving components of the front and rear mechs, then for the hard-to-get area I sprayed in some Bilt Hamber Ferrosol, which is effectively like GT85 from what I gather but more penetrating, better at rust prevention, great water displacer and is also a good lubricant (unlike WD40, for example).
Removed the chain, thoroughly cleaned it (I have an ultrasonic parts washer) with some degreaser in there, rinsed it off, dried it, put it back on the bike and oiled it using some finish line wet lube and removed the excess and....
Put the bike on the turbo trainer and bugger me it's shifting SO much better now it's unreal! Just a little quicker, more responsive and more slick.
Happy days
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff