Cycling UK Forum

Not long ago, I posted that after taking my bike in for a service, I was suggested to get new shifters. Well, I was just cycling home, changed down for the hill and lost my right shifter, the whole thing dismantled in one go and has disappeared into the hedge. Going to have a look tomorrow in the light and see if I can see anything.

Anyway, this was the thread if anyone is interested:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=70367

What is the suggested next step? Self repair or just take it into the shop?

Alex L wrote:
What is the suggested next step? Self repair or just take it into the shop?

self repair of the old shifter won't be possible without all the parts!

If they were previously disassembled and the screws were not tightened fully and/or no threadlock was used, the levers can just fall apart like you have seen.

Unless you can find spare parts, you need new shifters. In the long run I think you would benefit from learning how to do do this kind of job yourself, otherwise every bike you own will cost you a small (if not a large) fortune.

cheers

Brucey wrote:

Alex L wrote:
What is the suggested next step? Self repair or just take it into the shop?

self repair of the old shifter won't be possible without all the parts!

If they were previously disassembled and the screws were not tightened fully and/or no threadlock was used, the levers can just fall apart like you have seen.

Unless you can find spare parts, you need new shifters. In the long run I think you would benefit from learning how to do do this kind of job yourself, otherwise every bike you own will cost you a small (if not a large) fortune.

cheers

I went down this morning. Can't find any of the pieces. So looks like new shifters for me. Thank you for the reply. Going to watch some tutorials and have a look at parts.

one thing you should look out for when buying new parts is this; your brake levers have a short cable pull (and high leverage). You can quite easily buy integrated levers and shifters (7 -or 8, with a little adjustment- speed ones will work) but mostly they will have brake levers that pull more cable these days. These levers are meant for V brakes, not cantis.

If you want to stick with the cantis, you need to buy the correct (sometimes labelled 'road pull' or 'convertible pull') levers/shifters, use separate shifters and keep the old levers, or convert to V brakes with new shifters/levers.

If you go to a bike shop for parts and they don't understand the difference (and some don't) go to another bike shop.

cheers

Thank you. There isn't a lot of choice near me. I think my best odds of finding something would be in Henry Burton or online. My LBS knows what I need but I know he doesn't have to parts in as he said he'd have to order them in being older parts.

Still, it is stuck in a pretty good gear for single speed at least. Always a bright side