Potentially knackered gear lever (help me preempt Halfords!)

rodgers73
rodgers73 Posts: 2,626
edited March 2013 in Workshop
Just dropped off my bike at Halfords - I need it fixed for the end of tomorrow (they're my only option) and I'm looking for opinions on what the problem might be before I ring them tomorrow and get told a load of rubbish.

Yesterday the lever for the rear derailleur broke - the cable is still attached at both ends but it is jammed in top gear and just wont shift down. Pushing the lever to the left usually generates a small click and a shift in gears, but not at the moment. No sound, no shifting, nothing, just a flapping lever.

Holding the cable between two fingers and pushing the lever in I can feel it pulling it slightly but nothing happens gear changing wise.

The levers are Sora (old style with the thumb button) and the rear mech is Tiagra.

Any ideas? The boy on the desk started talking about buying a new lever or maybe it could be a spring that that needs replacing that they could source, but TBH that sounded like the talk of a man who doesn't know what he's on about.

Any ideas??

Comments

  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    I believe the shifters are not user serviceable - ie if they break then get some replacement ones.

    If you put tension on the cable the rear mech should move - if it didn't there may be a problem there - and that could have caused the failure of the lever?

    Shame u don't have the bike!
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    i don't understand why people automatically think of Halfords when something needs doing on their bike. Its the last place I would go.
  • maringirl
    maringirl Posts: 195
    If you are lucky it may be that the cable has just jammed the mech up. If removed carefully that may solve the problem. When the cable is removed can they check the ratchet on the lever - if the ratchet is gone then new lever needed
  • rodgers73
    rodgers73 Posts: 2,626
    giant man wrote:
    i don't understand why people automatically think of Halfords when something needs doing on their bike. Its the last place I would go.

    I work in a different town to the one I live in and my commute means I leave at 8.00am and get home at 7.00pm. In the week I can only take the bike to a place that opens late - which rules out all but Halfords who stay open until 8.00pm. There are no decent LBSs in the town I work in (I have learnt this the hard way!). So unless I want to wait until the next Saturday to drop the bike off and the Saturday after that to collect it, my options are limited.
  • rodgers73
    rodgers73 Posts: 2,626
    maringirl wrote:
    If you are lucky it may be that the cable has just jammed the mech up. If removed carefully that may solve the problem. When the cable is removed can they check the ratchet on the lever - if the ratchet is gone then new lever needed

    Without touching it (his words) the mechanic told me over the phone today that the ratchet has gone and a new lever will be needed. I'm collecting it later on - will remove the cable and see if the ratchet is definitely broken - not sure his diagnosis was the most thorough!
  • mitchgixer6
    mitchgixer6 Posts: 729
    If you're lucky it will just be a snapped/frayed cable.

    If it is the ratchet then buy the lever yourself (maybe even second hand from here) and fit it yourself. You'll save a fortune as it's an easy job. Just get back on here if you need anymore advice.
  • rodgers73
    rodgers73 Posts: 2,626
    Checked it in the shop - no such luck re trapped/broken cable. The ratchet is bust. Following a couple of levers on ebay now so should be able to fix this ok.

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