CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

poor shifting performance

(9 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by riffian
  • Latest reply from amir
  • This topic is not resolved

  1. riffian
    Member

    My rear derailleur gear shifting is getting worse. I have Shimano Sora STI shifters. I typically need two clicks to get up one gear and coming down is pretty inconsistant which means I'm typically a click out of the cog I'm actually on. Which means it squeaks or decides to shift down out of the blue.

    I've fiddled with the indexing but tightening the adjuster means I'll never come down a cog and loosening means.. you get the idea.

    What's the next step? I know the chain and cassette are pretty worn- replace? Cables haven't been changed for sometime either New rear gear cable innner or/and outer?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. amir
    Member

    Try lubricating the cables first. You can access the bit under the outer by first changing to the large sprocket at the back. Then "change" back but without turning the pedals so the gears don't actually change. Then it should be possible to unhook the gear cable from its guides and then the outer can be slid up and down so that you can clean and lubricate.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. ruggtomcat
    Member

    Also give the mech a damm good clean and greasing, working the full movement with your fingers to get the grease in. Learning to trim a derallier is much harder than it should be, and it can take a lot of time to find the sweetspot. Check out the bicycle tutor (link on the right) for a good howto, but I didnt find the practice as easy as the explanation!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Top tip amir. Thanks for that.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. kaputnik
    Moderator

    If you are going to recable, I've always used Jagwire's kits. I've found they can be bought for less than the Shimano kits and are very high quality and easy to install (with decent housing / cable cutters). Also come in yellow a wide range of colours.

    As for your mech, as RTC says a damn good clean / overhaul will help. You can take it to pieces to a limited extent to give it a good defilth / degrease / regrease. Particularly get in at the big spring with a toothbrush as it can get fouled up with dirt and grime. Make sure all the pivot points are free of grime and are oiled. You can also take the chance to clean up the jockey wheels.

    It could also be that your cassette is very worn and therefore the little ramps and slots built in to help shift the chain aren't doing their job properly.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. Baldcyclist
    Member

    I guess it depends on mileage, I find I have to change rear cassette/chain/cables at least twice, but usually three times a year to keep things running smoothly.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    "usually three times a year to keep things running smoothly."

    Sounds like you 'need' three bikes...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. riffian
    Member

    Thanks for those hints- I'll get onto it one evening next week and let you know how I get on.

    I've been rotating three chains on the one cassette to extend the life of the latter. 18 months, 6000km and two bad winters later it might be time to refresh these components!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. amir
    Member

    That's good going!

    Posted 13 years ago #

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