Brifter shifter cable "stuck"
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 283
Bikes: 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 1989 Supergo Access Comp, 1989 Nishiki Pinnacle,1990 Trek 750, 1990 Trek 970, 1991 Miyata Quickcross, 1992 Bridgestone RB-2, 2002 Stumpjumper M4 Pro
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Liked 266 Times
in
116 Posts
Brifter shifter cable "stuck"
I bought a 1993 bike with a 105 brifter. The right 8-speed wouldn't shift and further inspection showed that the cable head is not in the proper spot. It's "overshot" the spot and is "stuck" within the shifter. I've tried jiggling and twisting, mostly in the highest gear (least tension, where the install hole lines up) but I cant get it out. There IS some play, so it's not jammed stuck.... more like blocked from coming out.
Any tips on other things to try? As I said, I've mostly tried in the high gear position since that brings the head closest to the opening.
Any tips on other things to try? As I said, I've mostly tried in the high gear position since that brings the head closest to the opening.
#2
aged to perfection
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: PacNW
Posts: 1,818
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 839 Post(s)
Liked 1,258 Times
in
663 Posts
you "might consider" a new cable.
Cut the old cable with about 2-3 inches left as a tail. then you are going to have to push the stuck head out of its recess in the winding drum
use pliers, you can wiggle it around until it comes loose.
make sure that the shifter is in the "relaxed" position with no tension on the spring.
and when you put the new one in, wipe some grease on the end !
/markp
Cut the old cable with about 2-3 inches left as a tail. then you are going to have to push the stuck head out of its recess in the winding drum
use pliers, you can wiggle it around until it comes loose.
make sure that the shifter is in the "relaxed" position with no tension on the spring.
and when you put the new one in, wipe some grease on the end !
/markp
Last edited by mpetry912; 03-09-24 at 11:48 AM.
Likes For mpetry912:
#3
Thread derailleur
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 645
Bikes: Merlin Extralight '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
264 Posts
Looks to me like somebody attempted to remove the cable from the entry point.
Makes me think if you can re-insert it so it comes out the left side of the shifter.
Then pull on the cable until the head returns to its starting position.
If that fails, cut the cable two millimeters from the head and hope for the best when you shift to high gear.
Makes me think if you can re-insert it so it comes out the left side of the shifter.
Then pull on the cable until the head returns to its starting position.
If that fails, cut the cable two millimeters from the head and hope for the best when you shift to high gear.
#5
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 283
Bikes: 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 1989 Supergo Access Comp, 1989 Nishiki Pinnacle,1990 Trek 750, 1990 Trek 970, 1991 Miyata Quickcross, 1992 Bridgestone RB-2, 2002 Stumpjumper M4 Pro
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Liked 266 Times
in
116 Posts
you "might consider" a new cable.
Cut the old cable with about 2-3 inches left as a tail. then you are going to have to push the stuck head out of its recess in the winding drum
use pliers, you can wiggle it around until it comes loose.
make sure that the shifter is in the "relaxed" position with no tension on the spring.
and when you put the new one in, wipe some grease on the end !
/markp
Cut the old cable with about 2-3 inches left as a tail. then you are going to have to push the stuck head out of its recess in the winding drum
use pliers, you can wiggle it around until it comes loose.
make sure that the shifter is in the "relaxed" position with no tension on the spring.
and when you put the new one in, wipe some grease on the end !
/markp
Looks to me like somebody attempted to remove the cable from the entry point.
Makes me think if you can re-insert it so it comes out the left side of the shifter.
Then pull on the cable until the head returns to its starting position.
If that fails, cut the cable two millimeters from the head and hope for the best when you shift to high gear.
Makes me think if you can re-insert it so it comes out the left side of the shifter.
Then pull on the cable until the head returns to its starting position.
If that fails, cut the cable two millimeters from the head and hope for the best when you shift to high gear.
I don't love the idea of leaving the head bit in there.... seems like it will screw up sooner or later?
Thanks. I will try a few things.
#6
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 283
Bikes: 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 1989 Supergo Access Comp, 1989 Nishiki Pinnacle,1990 Trek 750, 1990 Trek 970, 1991 Miyata Quickcross, 1992 Bridgestone RB-2, 2002 Stumpjumper M4 Pro
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Liked 266 Times
in
116 Posts
Here's an update. I wiggled, jiggled, poked and prodded for a loooong time but that thing was NOT coming out. My last shot was to disassemble the brifter, which I had no experience doing. I found this video from RJ the Bike Guy and gave it a shot.
Once I had the shifter off the bike and the big shift lever removed, it was easy to take out the end with the head. Putting it back onto the bike was challenging, especially getting the tension spring to stay put and in the right position. I am nothing if not perseverant. Happy to report that I installed a new cable and the shifting is great!
Not the first time that RJ's videos have come to the rescue, props to him.
Here is a pic of the bike. 1993 Trek 2200. Yes, I need to rotate the HBs downward a bit
Once I had the shifter off the bike and the big shift lever removed, it was easy to take out the end with the head. Putting it back onto the bike was challenging, especially getting the tension spring to stay put and in the right position. I am nothing if not perseverant. Happy to report that I installed a new cable and the shifting is great!
Not the first time that RJ's videos have come to the rescue, props to him.
Here is a pic of the bike. 1993 Trek 2200. Yes, I need to rotate the HBs downward a bit