Cable problems...

Swap notes about technical issues

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Johnnyc
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Cable problems...

Post by Johnnyc » 21 Nov 2009 13:47

Just 1/2 mile into a ride today, as I tried to shift up a gear, the cable snapped. The cable was fairly new too - about 3 months old. I cycled home to replace the cable - that's when the problems started.

The old cable stop is stuck in the Sti lever - and the mechanism is catching on the bit of frayed cable - so I can't get it out.

I've taken it to the bike shop - the lever may have to be sent off to a specialist.

Replacing a cable should be easy - but it looks like the whole shifter is going to have to be disassembled - at what cost!!! I'm sure it won't be cheap :( .

David Cole
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Post by David Cole » 22 Nov 2009 17:38

you would think that replacing cables would be relatively simple, but when I was replacing the front gear changer on our tandem, it took me over an hour just to get the cable into the Shimano "rapid fire" changer. AND then I broke the plastic housing.
So John, your experience does not surprse me.

Dave
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Rod Goodfellow
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Post by Rod Goodfellow » 22 Nov 2009 18:12

It is easy with Campagnolo ergolevers.

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Ringo
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Post by Ringo » 22 Nov 2009 22:43

getting cables out can be harder then it seems. when i changed all the cables on my winter bike a few months ago it took my dad holding the bike down and me pulling with a set of plyers to get it out. the frayed wire got stuck at every point possible and then when we tried to cut the frayed bit off it just created another frayed bit on a shorter wire :oops:

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Post by Andy M » 23 Nov 2009 20:02

I've never had this problem , it may be just good luck or may be down to the fact that I always grease inner brake and gear cables before installing them.
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Post by spider » 24 Nov 2009 14:03

The really, really, important point is to never attempt to take the shifter apart; this can only lead to a tearful trip to the bike shop (via the cash point). Enough poking and probing almost always, after a lot of muttering, results in the extraction of the frayed bit of cable. If it all ends in tears repair sections for mid range and high end shifters are available, and these can be easily fitted by any competant amateur watch repairer.

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Philip Whiteman
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Post by Philip Whiteman » 24 Nov 2009 14:43

spider wrote:The really, really, important point is to never attempt to take the shifter apart
Never a more true word spoken. Risk this at your peril.

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Si-D
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Post by Si-D » 24 Nov 2009 15:12

Philip Whiteman wrote:
spider wrote:The really, really, important point is to never attempt to take the shifter apart
Never a more true word spoken. Risk this at your peril.
...have to also agree there!

I had problems with my 'simple' indexed bar end shifters on my TT Bike and decided to undo the nut which holds them together.
Several 'bits' flew out, including some kind of spring washer and I struggled to work out which way it all went back.
Even searching the Shimano website failed to provide a detailed enough diagram of it's components.

Hasten to say I gave up in the end and treated myself to some shiny new Dura-Ace ones, at a price! :roll:
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George
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Post by George » 24 Nov 2009 17:18

I have successfully dismantled a set of Campag ergos and reassembled them with a new ratchet wheel a few years ago ... maybe they're simpler.

However, I have done the jumping spring thing with one of the club's stopwatches ... and all I was trying to do was change the battery.

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Johnnyc
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Post by Johnnyc » 24 Nov 2009 23:27

Well - being keen to carry on my cycle ride I did start taking the shifter apart - I never realised they were so complex inside!!! The front face plate of the Shimano's did indeed have a spring ready to uncoil - I put this back together and left well alone.

Luckily for me - it was able to be fixed in the shop - so that's good news.

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