Shimano RSX shifter
06-11-23, 02:27 PM
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Shimano RSX shifter
Hello,
Trying to fix my Shimano RSX shifter that could not downshift anymore, I realized after cracking it opened that greasing, which can commonly be the culprit, was not in cause.
I found instead that the small tab on top of the barrel that should be rotated down which each downshift click, was not moving due to its torsion spring being broken.
Other than finding another shifter for the part or replace it entirely, does someone have a clue what is that spring part number? I have obviously little hope that this would be made known by Shimano, let alone kept in stock by bike shops, but I figured I would ask on this forum.
Thanks.
Trying to fix my Shimano RSX shifter that could not downshift anymore, I realized after cracking it opened that greasing, which can commonly be the culprit, was not in cause.
I found instead that the small tab on top of the barrel that should be rotated down which each downshift click, was not moving due to its torsion spring being broken.
Other than finding another shifter for the part or replace it entirely, does someone have a clue what is that spring part number? I have obviously little hope that this would be made known by Shimano, let alone kept in stock by bike shops, but I figured I would ask on this forum.
Thanks.
06-11-23, 02:48 PM
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get a new or good condition used shifter.
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06-11-23, 07:13 PM
#3
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Shimano has never sold small parts for shifter internals. Its dead, unless you can fabricate or salvage the spring.
Honestly, unless you are trying to keep everything perfectly vintage appropriate, it’s probably time for new shifters.
Honestly, unless you are trying to keep everything perfectly vintage appropriate, it’s probably time for new shifters.
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06-12-23, 09:47 AM
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Hello,
Trying to fix my Shimano RSX shifter that could not downshift anymore, I realized after cracking it opened that greasing, which can commonly be the culprit, was not in cause.
I found instead that the small tab on top of the barrel that should be rotated down which each downshift click, was not moving due to its torsion spring being broken.
Other than finding another shifter for the part or replace it entirely, does someone have a clue what is that spring part number? I have obviously little hope that this would be made known by Shimano, let alone kept in stock by bike shops, but I figured I would ask on this forum.
Thanks.
Trying to fix my Shimano RSX shifter that could not downshift anymore, I realized after cracking it opened that greasing, which can commonly be the culprit, was not in cause.
I found instead that the small tab on top of the barrel that should be rotated down which each downshift click, was not moving due to its torsion spring being broken.
Other than finding another shifter for the part or replace it entirely, does someone have a clue what is that spring part number? I have obviously little hope that this would be made known by Shimano, let alone kept in stock by bike shops, but I figured I would ask on this forum.
Thanks.
06-12-23, 02:35 PM
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One time I was able to put a new bend in a broken torsion spring, to hook over a ratchet pawl, but that was a rare case. Channel your inner clockmaker.
If there's a bike co-op near you, they may have one in a bin of salvaged shifters.
Is this a seven speed? Mine worked for over 20 years until I sold the bike, well over 50K miles. Pretty good stuff.
If there's a bike co-op near you, they may have one in a bin of salvaged shifters.
Is this a seven speed? Mine worked for over 20 years until I sold the bike, well over 50K miles. Pretty good stuff.
06-13-23, 12:53 PM
#6
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If you really want to keep the RSX STIs, there's a guy in California who repairs them. His eBay user name is "zigan".
He claims to have serviced "hundreds" of older 7/8 speed STIs over the years (105, Shimano 600, RSX, or RX-100). I've never done business with him, but for what it's worth his eBay listing indicates he guarantees that shifters he services will work on return.
Shimano also made a Sora STI that was 7-speed (ST-3300-7). A few of those may also be available NOS. (The right shifter is, but on doing a cursory look I wasn't able to find a 7-speed L + R set that was available NOS.) Be careful if you opt to go this route, because Shimano also made an 8-speed version of the same shifter set that appears to be more common.
There are also Tourney STIs (7-speed). They're reasonably available, but are at the lower-end of Shimano's road product line.
Best of luck in finding what you need to get the bike back in working order.
He claims to have serviced "hundreds" of older 7/8 speed STIs over the years (105, Shimano 600, RSX, or RX-100). I've never done business with him, but for what it's worth his eBay listing indicates he guarantees that shifters he services will work on return.
Shimano also made a Sora STI that was 7-speed (ST-3300-7). A few of those may also be available NOS. (The right shifter is, but on doing a cursory look I wasn't able to find a 7-speed L + R set that was available NOS.) Be careful if you opt to go this route, because Shimano also made an 8-speed version of the same shifter set that appears to be more common.
There are also Tourney STIs (7-speed). They're reasonably available, but are at the lower-end of Shimano's road product line.
Best of luck in finding what you need to get the bike back in working order.
Last edited by Hondo6; 06-13-23 at 01:03 PM.
06-13-23, 01:52 PM
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OP: you haven't specifically identified which RSX STI shifters you have. There were 3 variants: ST-A410, ST-A416, and ST-A417. I believe the A410 was the 7-speed set, while the A416 and A417 were the 8-speed double (set, F+R) and triple (front) models, respectively.
The Shimano EV for the ST-A410 can be found here. The EV for the ST-A416 and ST-A417 can be found here.
It's also unclear precisely what spring in which lever is broken. If it's item 7 (main lever return spring) on any of these diagrams for the left (FD) shifter, that part appears to be available NOS here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115791677672
If it's the right shifter that's an issue - or if it's any other spring - no joy.
I'm reasonably sure the eBay listing is correct in stating that the part is no longer available from Shimano. Those shifters were discontinued 24 years ago.
The Shimano EV for the ST-A410 can be found here. The EV for the ST-A416 and ST-A417 can be found here.
It's also unclear precisely what spring in which lever is broken. If it's item 7 (main lever return spring) on any of these diagrams for the left (FD) shifter, that part appears to be available NOS here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115791677672
If it's the right shifter that's an issue - or if it's any other spring - no joy.
I'm reasonably sure the eBay listing is correct in stating that the part is no longer available from Shimano. Those shifters were discontinued 24 years ago.
Last edited by Hondo6; 06-17-23 at 04:46 AM. Reason: Corrrect typos.
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06-15-23, 06:01 AM
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Thanks all for your comments, I will most probably end up replacing the whole shifter. Shopping around on used ones in shops, Marketplace. It was a 7-speed. And oh, Hondo6 it’s the A410 model, and the spring is part of the « no joy » category. Sorry I could not post a picture, I apparently need to reach 10 posts for that and grow from my Newbie status!
Last edited by Silverstone; 06-15-23 at 06:12 AM.
06-17-23, 04:50 AM
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And oh, Hondo6 it’s the A410 model, and the spring is part of the « no joy » category.
Again, best of luck.
Last edited by Hondo6; 06-17-23 at 04:54 AM. Reason: Clarification.
06-17-23, 05:05 AM
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Compatible shifters are likely cheaper, lighter & easier to operate.
I ditched the flimsy old RSX shifters on my Moulton ABP (heavy, compact bike) with Microshift more than 8 years ago.
Cost was less than $50 for the pair of shifter levers, works just as well and much lighter in weight.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832658214336.html
Other models that allow cables to be routed under the bar tape
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803914273699.html
I ditched the flimsy old RSX shifters on my Moulton ABP (heavy, compact bike) with Microshift more than 8 years ago.
Cost was less than $50 for the pair of shifter levers, works just as well and much lighter in weight.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832658214336.html
Other models that allow cables to be routed under the bar tape
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803914273699.html
06-20-23, 06:27 PM
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Compatible shifters are likely cheaper, lighter & easier to operate.
I ditched the flimsy old RSX shifters on my Moulton ABP (heavy, compact bike) with Microshift more than 8 years ago.
Cost was less than $50 for the pair of shifter levers, works just as well and much lighter in weight.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832658214336.html
Other models that allow cables to be routed under the bar tape
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803914273699.html
I ditched the flimsy old RSX shifters on my Moulton ABP (heavy, compact bike) with Microshift more than 8 years ago.
Cost was less than $50 for the pair of shifter levers, works just as well and much lighter in weight.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832658214336.html
Other models that allow cables to be routed under the bar tape
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803914273699.html
They are not the same company.
MicroShift is based in Taiwan, and has been around for roughly 24 years. Their products have a pretty damn good reputation.
MicroNEW is a completely different, much newer company based in the PRC. Their products don't have as good a reputation.
Further, MicroShift has stated publicly that they believe MicroNEW has counterfeited some of their products.
Last edited by Hondo6; 06-21-23 at 07:03 AM. Reason: Add info.
06-21-23, 08:20 AM
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As stated in my previous post, I replaced the RSX brifters 8 years ago.
I use whatever links I could find.
The Chinese copying Taiwanese successful products, what else is new?
I use whatever links I could find.
The Chinese copying Taiwanese successful products, what else is new?
06-21-23, 04:19 PM
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Compatible shifters are likely cheaper, lighter & easier to operate.
I ditched the flimsy old RSX shiftersl
I ditched the flimsy old RSX shiftersl
06-22-23, 06:05 AM
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Honestly, when was the last time you have had 30+ year old, 7-spd components on your bike that you use regularly?
06-22-23, 09:27 AM
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Welp, I like old bikes so ride them all the time. Currently in the roadie realm, only ride a '70s Legnano w/ 5sp, an '80s Schwinn with 6sp, and 9sp on a Basso and Lemond.
06-22-23, 09:47 AM
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https://www.microshift.com/products/...7;pa_speed:109
Nothing. But no need to give a counterfeiter free publicity and (potentially) steer business to them instead of the legitimate source, either.
Last edited by Hondo6; 06-22-23 at 10:26 AM.
06-22-23, 09:55 AM
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To answer your question anyway: they're not quite 30 years old yet, but I last used something like that about 1/2 hour ago. Got back from a ride about then on a bike I got brand new in the late 1990s.
It still has the original Shimano 7-speed RD/FD/shifters/brake levers/brake calipers that came with it.
No issues with them to date.
