Originally Posted by
dglevy
Thanks to everyone who replied. My riding buddy talked with a professional mechanic today who said the same thing as the first reply: the grease or oil becomes gummy when it gets that cold. Fortunately, the weather has turned a bit warmer since yesterday and we may have turned the corner weather-wise here in Wash. DC. But I will definitely have to remember the trick to getting the shifters to work, come next winter.
Again, thanks to everyone who replied--nice to know my shifters aren't getting worn out!
Once the grease gets old and hard enough it won't matter what weather it is and you have to do the flush & lube