BobsPoprad

My right 9 speed Tiagra shifter is missing...as in it will shift down the cog, just not back up. It isn't catching on anything when shifting. Really sucked the other day. Made me finish my ride in a single speed. I know the bike needs a good cleaning, but I am guessing that is not the issue.

Anyway, this is an old bike, although I do like it. I have "plans" on a new bike at some point so I don't want to spend too much money.

Was thinking of just getting the Left and Right 9 speed Sora shifters. Will I need new cables as well? Or will I be able to reuse?

I was thinking it would be a good time to upgrade to 10 speed, but I really don't need it, plus it would be more $$.

Thanks

dsbrantjr

It is likely that the lubricant in the shifter has gummed up with age and is preventing the ratchet mechanism from catching. A solvent flush and relube may help. It is also possible that the shift wire is frayed inside the shifter and impeding its action. Better to find out and replace it new than after it parts and you need to dig the broken-off piece out, an unenviable task.

Iride01 

Might just need adjusting. Sometimes the cable slips in the hold fast on the DR.
Might just need a new cable. Sometimes frayed up in the shifter and that mucks things up.

Shifter might indeed be ruined. I'd explore the $5.00 cable before replacing what is probably one of the most expensive components on your bike.

BobsPoprad

Thanks...I haven't had time to put it on the stand. I guess if I take it somewhat apart, no harm done if I have to replace.

BobsPoprad

So I went out to garage...and my bike has center pull Avid Shorty brakes...the new Sora has the internal route for the cables/housing. The Tiagra is the old Shimano Flight deck, so shift cables are out in front of handlebars. If I do end up ordering...this should all be compatible, yes?

Thanks

Iride01 

Bike makers will mix and match components to be able to price the bike at the price point they want it to sell at, so Tektro brakes with Tiagra shifters does not tell us much.

You should be able to find a youtube video for your model of Tiagra. Though sometimes the youtube videos are made by someone that doesn't have a clue either but just talks good. You might go to shimano's tech doc site and find a model of Tiagra that looks similar to yours. The DM's will give the most info about it. The exploded veiw might give you a quick idea if that is your model.

Or perhaps share with us the year, make and model of your bike. And a picture is worth a lot too...........

dedhed

Yes

curbtender

You may have to adjust the housing some, but it should work.

dsbrantjr

I think that putting new shifters on old cables is false economy; cables are as much a part of the shifting system as the shifters and derailleurs and crappy cables have caused myriad problems. I also think replacing shifters which may be repairable, without attempting to fix them, is wasteful, but it is your money.
Note that the under-the-bar tape cable routing is much more likely to result in frayed inner shift wires due to the tighter bends, so check them frequently and at any sudden change in shift behavior.

BobsPoprad

Here are some pics...

Iride01 

ooooh... Tiagra 4500? Still, there is no magic wand we can give you. You either have to investigate and eliminate or take it to someone that can.

I'd start by trying to see if I can get the full nine clicks out of the shifter in both directions. Might have to pull on the bare cable running down the downtube while shifting to the higher gears (smaller cogs) Might have to turn the crank too so having the back wheel off the ground will help too, or just take the cable off the rear DR.

If the shifter binds in any way when trying to shift, don't force it, might be a frayed cable in shifter. If possible, you want to get it to the highest gear setting to replace the cable. I might try to get some WD40 up in it. But don't let it get on your wheel rims or brakes. Then you'll be making additional trouble for yourself.

BobsPoprad

It does shift all the way up...I shifted while pulling the cable along the down tube. I have my cart ready at Nashbar...but I think I will put it up on the stand tomorrow after work. I am not riding it anyway I guess. Might save me $$. I still am going to replace chain, cassette, and bar tape.

curbtender

Start by cutting the cable and taking it out. Try some spray lube to flush while you are shifting up and down. If it catches, you are in luck. Replace with new cable. If it's truly broken, you'll need to replace them. You'll lose that online adjuster, but you already have them on your downtube.

Iride01 

Not just up, but down too. If it works both ways, then probably your DR needs adjusting and maybe the cable slipped in the hold fast on the DR.

If you are just itching to order a new shifter, then order it. But remember you still are going to have to do all of the things and more that you'd do to simply replace and adjust the cable. And I don't know that you've eliminated the derailleur from being the culprit.

BobsPoprad

Well, I just ordered Butt'r that I was running low on. Planning on looking at it in the stand this weekend.

Thanks.

curbtender

Ha, ok, never tried that on a shifter...

BobsPoprad

Ok, here are a couple of pics. I basically stripped the bike of the rear shifter and brakes. Cables, etc. Cleaned out the shifter as best as possible, then lubed it up well. While holding it in my hand, no cables, it shifts (clicks) the correct number of time. Up and down. No missing. No fraying on the cable, anywhere. But was very dirty. So I am planning on ordering cable and housing. Do most of you orders "kits," or do you by "bulk" stuff?

BobsPoprad

Oh, in the second photo, what is the paper looking stuff? Looks like it connects something. It goes from the top of the shifter all the way down. Both shifters have it. I lightly pulled on it, but it seems it is supposed to be there.

Where do you all buy online stuff? Hard to get to my local (30 miles away) shop. and, well, other stuff.

pdlamb

I ordered bulk housing and cables years ago. I'm close to breaking even by now, at one-two recable jobs per year, and soon I'll start saving money.

I think the Jagwire cables and housing came from bikeman.com -- at least one label looks like that.

Oh, and you'll want to get a good cable cutter -- my Pedro's is about as low as I'd go.

BobsPoprad

Dang, so why is bikeman.com like $9 cheaper than Nashbar for the same product? I thought Nashbar was the bottom. No offense, Nashbar.

Iride01 

You always have to look around for who has the best deal + shipping at the moment. And I mean moment. Sometimes the next day things will be drastically different.

Part of it is marketing, part of it is cost of inventory, sometimes it's just a need for cashflow at that moment. All sorts of reasons.

curbtender

Those are the wires for the Flight Deck computer, if you have one.

BobsPoprad

Thanks! I was very curious. I don't have one, so I guess I don't have to worry.

BobsPoprad

Ok, so update. Finally got around to replacing cables. The fron is fine, the right/rear still doesn't shift. Is there only one way to feed the cable through the shifter? It doesn't shift at all now. The derailleur does move up and down the cassette as I pull on cable at downtube, so that part works. Just wondering if I am missing something, or the shifter is toast. It clicks, just doesn't shift.

Thanks.

Iride01 

Did you click the small lever a bunch of times before putting the cable in it? That gets the reel fully to the low position so it can begin to take up cable as you click the big lever. Certainly there ought to be a youtube vid for you to watch.

The shifter might be toast. Might just need something fixed you can't see.