Originally Posted by
American Euchre
XTR is packed with grease like every other trigger shifter, yes? If so, it can dry and harden and lead to shifter failure like any lower tier group. There is a simple solution however, as long as you have access to a mini screwdriver and some lube.
+1. I have some first-series XTR shifters (ST-M900, 8-speed) that didn't work after sitting for several years. (They were waiting for the right bike project.) I removed the plastic cover, hosed out the inside with WD-40, and they worked perfectly after that.
Nowadays I would used petroleum-based lube since WD-40 tends to congeal and gum things up. I'll find out one of these days- the shifters were put back in storage when I upgraded that bike to 9-speed. I have another project going together now- and I have M900 XTR hubs built into wheels already.