Kids bikes - gear shifters

laurentian
laurentian Posts: 2,568
edited October 2022 in Workshop
Grandson has recently got a bike for his birthday.

Nothing expensive (he's going to be too big for it in no time) but it will do the job for him for the time being.

It has a twist grip gear change. Not the whole handle but about 30mm long and on the inboard side of the grip.

Trouble is it is so stiff to turn (especially when changing down) that he can't really use the gears. Apart from ensuring that everything is oiled etc., has anyone go any ideas, tips or experience in how to make this gear changing easier?

Edited to say, there is only one chainring and a 6sp. derailluer
Wilier Izoard XP

Comments

  • shirley_basso
    shirley_basso Posts: 6,195
    buy a thumb shifter and swap it out
  • Munsford0
    Munsford0 Posts: 680
    I'd detach the cable at the mech and see if it's still stiff to turn. That way you'll know if its the shifter or the cable.
  • woodywmb
    woodywmb Posts: 669
    Common complaint with this kind of shifter. Change the inner cable. Push a screwdriver blade under the rubber on the shifter part of the grip. Spray WD40 via a plastic straw into the space between the rubber and the shifter body. Run the screwdriver around the underneath of the rubber to let the oil penetrate. A lollipop stick does a good job here in place of a screwdriver. Run the shifter up and down the six clicks a few times then attach the inner at the mech's anchor bolt.
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1296598/
  • laurentian
    laurentian Posts: 2,568
    oxoman said:

    TBH the best bet would be to change to thumb shifters. Loads of info on here on how to do it and probably well documented on YouTube as well.

    After looking at SB's advice above, I looked into this and think it could be the way forward - I will try the suggestion from woody above though . . . already have the stuff to do that.
    Wilier Izoard XP

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