Someone help please. I’ve taken the rubber off to get a better look and the inside looks fine. When I pull the paddle back pretty far, it shifts up and down perfectly. But when it’s in its normal position, it gets too stiff to even shift at all. If I force it, it will shift up but it takes a ton of force. The amount I have to pull the shift paddle back changes every day for some reason too.
Stiff shifter unless paddle is pulled back
byu/Future_Coast_8352 inbikewrench
by Future_Coast_8352
4 Comments
Does it do the same thing with no cable installed? If it doesn’t, you need to new cables/housings. If it behaves the same way without a cable, then you might need to soak, rinse, and repeat WD40 into the internals of the shifter to degrease it. I’ve been able to revive a few Shimano shifters that way.
Those paddles have a reach adjustment feature. Maybe see if you can manipulate that to where it functions properly.
You probably have dirt or grit in the mechanism/ratchet.
This is why I dont run shifters anymore
I only run bar end frictionless shifters
Or stem shifters
Or frame mounted shifters
For the long term consistency of never having drive train issues.
Think manual vs automatic car. Less parts so manual lasts. Same thing with the bikes.. the shifter mechanics always eventually die especially the right one because you are pressing it hundreds of times per ride…
Frictionless is just a lever you pull.. it always works.