Won't change under load

Keith1983
Keith1983 Posts: 575
edited June 2011 in Workshop
I've got a pretty battered old Carrera Virtuoso. It's got Shimano RSX running gear. My left lever has completely locked up and won't shift, but it does still brake ok. The right lever changes up (from small wheel to big) without any probles but will only change down when the pedals are moving but with very little or no load on them, otherwise it just won't click into place and carry out the change. Any ideas as to what might be the problem?

Comments

  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Left one, check the cable isn't fraying at the lever end; spray WD40 or similar around the business end.

    Right hand lever, sluggish changes to smaller sprockets (i.e. relying just on the spring in the mech) is usually a sign of friction in the cable, especially in the final bit of outer that connects to the mech, they fill with water and muck quite readily. If you disconnect the cable from the mech (or just pull it out of the cable stops) you can feel if it is running smoothly. On an older bike I expect the return spring is a bit weaker so may cope less well with cable friction. You can lube the cables, but usually its worth replacing them as improvements are usually short lived.

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