Changing shift cable on grip shifter?
#1
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Changing shift cable on grip shifter?
Hello,
I got a bike second hand, and need to change the shift cable for the rear derailleur. The shifter is a 6 speed falcon twist shifter. The set screw is already loose, and I tried prying the shifter body away from the shift knob, but it won't come apart. Is there a trick to this?
I got a bike second hand, and need to change the shift cable for the rear derailleur. The shifter is a 6 speed falcon twist shifter. The set screw is already loose, and I tried prying the shifter body away from the shift knob, but it won't come apart. Is there a trick to this?
#2
Long time part timer
From what I recall, these are very low end shifters and, like many low end parts, really aren't designed for long term maintenance. I think I've busted a couple myself.
The good news is that grip shifters are cheap and readily available. Sure, you can buy a new one - or if there is a co-op local to you they probably have a bin full of these that can be had for a couple bucks each. Even more thrifty, maybe you can get lucky and find a free bike somewhere and salvage the shifter from it.
Good luck.
The good news is that grip shifters are cheap and readily available. Sure, you can buy a new one - or if there is a co-op local to you they probably have a bin full of these that can be had for a couple bucks each. Even more thrifty, maybe you can get lucky and find a free bike somewhere and salvage the shifter from it.
Good luck.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
From what I recall, these are very low end shifters and, like many low end parts, really aren't designed for long term maintenance. I think I've busted a couple myself.
The good news is that grip shifters are cheap and readily available. Sure, you can buy a new one - or if there is a co-op local to you they probably have a bin full of these that can be had for a couple bucks each. Even more thrifty, maybe you can get lucky and find a free bike somewhere and salvage the shifter from it.
Good luck.
The good news is that grip shifters are cheap and readily available. Sure, you can buy a new one - or if there is a co-op local to you they probably have a bin full of these that can be had for a couple bucks each. Even more thrifty, maybe you can get lucky and find a free bike somewhere and salvage the shifter from it.
Good luck.
Dave
#4
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It is possible the cable feed hole is just under the rubber grip. Pry up the cover and see if there is a hole with the cable stop/head showing.
Some have to pull the shifter twist part away from the shifter itself.
Some checking is required.
Likely not an expensive part to replace.
Some have to pull the shifter twist part away from the shifter itself.
Some checking is required.
Likely not an expensive part to replace.
#6
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Amazon shows a number of very inexpensive Grip Shift knockoffs with 4.5-star ratings, for what that's worth. Probably easier to shift than the ones supplied on a Huffy, anyway. To see the choices, search for "Twist Shifter 3 x 6" on Amazon.
#7
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Remove from the handlebar to separate twisting piece. There is a metal or plastic spring inside, so be mindful of it and don't lose it. Looks broken though, so not sure if it can be used.
#8
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I don't know about the Falcon, but most twist shifters have a rubber flap that covers the cable entry port. Logically, it's where the cable would feed into the exit/housing. Once you find the port, shift to high gear and feed the cable through. You shouldn't have to remove the shifter from the handlebar to replace a cable; that just doesn't sound right.
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I am not familiar with this particular grip shifter, but I did just change cables on a couple of similar grip shifters for my kid's bikes. Step one is to remove it from the bike and study what you are working with. Peel back any rubber parts. The plastic housing is likely a clamshell type design that snaps together. Identify how it splits and where the two pieces are. The assembly snaps together. Look for a little plastic snap/locking tab that you can defeat with something like a small screwdriver. After you change the cable, the two sides should snap back together with finger pressure.
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Some of those gripshifts on BSOs aren't designed to have their cables changed (or shift gears really ). There is a way to do it, but not worth it when a shifter with cable is under $10, often way less than that.
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In the photo between the 6-5, that's a little black top plate that can be removed.
The cable is pulled up from that "trapdoor".
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I have NEVER encountered any shifter ever, no matter how economy, where the cable could not be changed.
There would be no profit for me on reselling dumpster finds if I had to replace whole shifters.
I'm always able to swap the cable. And a used cable at that.
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#14
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While that may be true, there are some grip-shift designs that make the process sufficiently tedious that it hardly seems worth the bother. My preferred fix is to replace the grip shifter with a friction thumb shifter. No issues with cable-pull incompatibility, easy cable installation and replacement, simple mechanism that seldom gives trouble, etc.
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Same could be said for automotive shops that use Mitchell-on-Demand to quote the owner to repair their 20 year old car.
They don't give opinions if it's worth it or not, the manuals just show the mechanic how to do the repair with precise certainty, which was my point.
They don't give opinions if it's worth it or not, the manuals just show the mechanic how to do the repair with precise certainty, which was my point.
#19
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As others have stated, there may be a small cap or flap to allow access to change the cable. Important note: On mine, after removing the old cable, I tried inserting a lightly used cable in its place, had a HECK of a time to get it in more than an inch or two. Here's why: The cable has to make a fairly tight turn in a plastic tube after it comes off the "drum" (cylindrical part that moves when you shift), and a cable that has been cut, the sharp end grabs too much, won't make the turn, even as I tried spinning the cable in the twist direction while pushing. So... when replacing the cable, use a new cable that has the tiny melted ball on the feeding end of the cable, that will probably go through more easily.
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The original SRAM shifter has a removal cover for the 90-deg curved part to solve the mentioned issue of used cables that fray.
I spot weld the ends of all my used cables just so they don't fray in storage.
I spot weld the ends of all my used cables just so they don't fray in storage.
#22
Senior Member
They are indeed SRAM GRIPSHIFT MRX COMP (I'm sure the cheapest they make as it came on a Dahon Speed 7), just inboard of the grip is a champagne colored triangular panel, and from the cable side there is a tiny slot just wide enough for a smallest size standard flat screwdriver blade, with what looks like a champagne colored tapered tab that holds the panel on. But I haven't been able to figure out how exactly to push on that tab to release the panel, tried gently, no luck. But good to know, thanks.