Shimano shifter sticking.

1972DKearns
I had a problem with my thumb shifter not springing back. I had to manually pull it back. I bought all new cables and housing. Didn't fix it. I bought a new derailleur and shifter. Still had the same problem. I took it a part cleaned lubed. So late last night I was going to try a new cable and housing AGAIN. I untighten the shifter and turn it. Then I start to unscrew the cable screw. CLICK!! IT SNAPS BACK. I have been putting the screw in too far. So now I have a back up shifter and derailleur. I was going to sell my bike and start over. It was very frustrating. I hope this helps someone else.
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hairyyy
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hairyyy 1/20/2021 12:31pm
1/20/2021 12:31pm
Grrrr bikes least you sorted it 👍
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Big Bird
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Big Bird 1/20/2021 2:04pm
1/20/2021 2:04pm
My first thought was a dirty shifter and that you should take the cover off and blast it out. then you said you replaced it and I figured that you liked grips with flanges and there was interference. In my thirty years at it I've never had that issue. As you said, at least you have the spares.
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Big Bird
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Big Bird 1/20/2021 2:18pm
1/20/2021 2:18pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2021 2:19pm
1972DKearns wrote:
I had a problem with my thumb shifter not springing back. I had to manually pull it back. I bought all new cables and housing. Didn't...
I had a problem with my thumb shifter not springing back. I had to manually pull it back. I bought all new cables and housing. Didn't fix it. I bought a new derailleur and shifter. Still had the same problem. I took it a part cleaned lubed. So late last night I was going to try a new cable and housing AGAIN. I untighten the shifter and turn it. Then I start to unscrew the cable screw. CLICK!! IT SNAPS BACK. I have been putting the screw in too far. So now I have a back up shifter and derailleur. I was going to sell my bike and start over. It was very frustrating. I hope this helps someone else.
If it was the barrel adjuster threaded in too far then just take it easy on that preload. Just like you want plenty of room to adjust for stretch, you also need room to let out cable in case of something bending on the trail. I've built hundreds of bikes and I generally set the initial cable tension with that adjuster out five or so hand twists. (So about two full rotations.)
1972DKearns 1/20/2021 2:27pm
1/20/2021 2:27pm
1972DKearns wrote:
I had a problem with my thumb shifter not springing back. I had to manually pull it back. I bought all new cables and housing. Didn't...
I had a problem with my thumb shifter not springing back. I had to manually pull it back. I bought all new cables and housing. Didn't fix it. I bought a new derailleur and shifter. Still had the same problem. I took it a part cleaned lubed. So late last night I was going to try a new cable and housing AGAIN. I untighten the shifter and turn it. Then I start to unscrew the cable screw. CLICK!! IT SNAPS BACK. I have been putting the screw in too far. So now I have a back up shifter and derailleur. I was going to sell my bike and start over. It was very frustrating. I hope this helps someone else.
Big Bird wrote:
If it was the barrel adjuster threaded in too far then just take it easy on that preload. Just like you want plenty of room to...
If it was the barrel adjuster threaded in too far then just take it easy on that preload. Just like you want plenty of room to adjust for stretch, you also need room to let out cable in case of something bending on the trail. I've built hundreds of bikes and I generally set the initial cable tension with that adjuster out five or so hand twists. (So about two full rotations.)
It was the screw to remove the cable. I had it cranked in too far. It was put together aggressively. I have had this problem since August. I'm 48 and my patience are gone.
Falcon
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Falcon 1/21/2021 11:29am
1/21/2021 11:29am
I feel your pain. It took me 2.5 years to get my tubeless setup to hold air. Like, at all. It turns out that none of the cheapo $12 tubeless valves I bought were up to snuff. Seriously, I must have tried 5 or 6 different valves, re-taped my wheels 3 times each, tried different tires, different times of day, kicking my dog, wearing the bones of a chicken around my neck while dancing around a campfire; none of it worked. I'm kidding, of course. The dog belongs to a neighbor; he's not mine.

Instead, I ponied up the $25 for some Orange Seal valves and they worked FIRST TRY. It's not even funny how much easier it was. I'm almost pissed that it didn't take more time, you know? BTW, I'm 49 and all my patience is gone, too.
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jonkranked
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jonkranked 1/22/2021 10:51am
1/22/2021 10:51am
Falcon wrote:
I feel your pain. It took me 2.5 years to get my tubeless setup to hold air. Like, at all. It turns out that none of...
I feel your pain. It took me 2.5 years to get my tubeless setup to hold air. Like, at all. It turns out that none of the cheapo $12 tubeless valves I bought were up to snuff. Seriously, I must have tried 5 or 6 different valves, re-taped my wheels 3 times each, tried different tires, different times of day, kicking my dog, wearing the bones of a chicken around my neck while dancing around a campfire; none of it worked. I'm kidding, of course. The dog belongs to a neighbor; he's not mine.

Instead, I ponied up the $25 for some Orange Seal valves and they worked FIRST TRY. It's not even funny how much easier it was. I'm almost pissed that it didn't take more time, you know? BTW, I'm 49 and all my patience is gone, too.
a trick to getting stubborn valves to seal is to cut a small square about 1/2" x 1/2" from an old inner tube (people still have those sitting around right?), poke a hole in the center, and slide it over the valve stem before installing it on the rim; it helps make a better seal between the valve and the rim bed. you can trim it down a little bit once its on so it doesn't interfere with the tire bead if needed. on particularly finicky valves i've had to double up on the squares, but i've never had it not work.

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