Shimano RSX Shifter Sometimes Doesn't

andrew-<< Any ideas? Could it be:

(a) shifter problem (that only affects going from 52 -> 42 ring) >><BR><BR>

Get a 'STI repair kit'-some WD-40 or equivalewnt and spray a lot into the lever(both, couldn't hurt)
while shifting it, may help.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

"Andrew Swan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dear RBT,

I have RSX shifters on my el cheapo Giant Peloton 7000 road bike, and they've worked fine since
purchase (about 3 years now, in which the bike's done anything from 0 to 180km per week). Lately
however, I've found that the chain doesn't always shift down from the big ring (52) to the middle
ring (42) when I press the shift lever (it's a triple chainring, a non-standard item for this bike
that was fitted by the shop when I bought it). At worst, I have to press the shi(f)t lever up to
half a dozen times to get it to change down (which as you can imagine has its tactical drawbacks,
never mind being disruptive to climbing

style).

Quoted message said:

Shifting down from the middle ring to the granny ring (30) always works fine. Shifting up always
works (to both the 42 and the 52).

I have just replaced the cable sleeve and lubricated the cable while fitting it - no improvement.
I coincidentally have changed the chain just recently (from Shimano to Wippermann) - no
difference.

Any ideas? Could it be:

(a) shifter problem (that only affects going from 52 -> 42 ring)
(b) problem with the cable/sleeve/FD that only arises when the cable is under greater tension
(hence shifting 42 -> 30 works OK)
(c) sunspots / bad karma / UFOs / etc.?

Thanks for any help/advice,

&roo

P.S. I have no idea how shifters work internally.

My father's having exactly your problem with a RSX lever (105 front derailleur, 52/39). I'm not sure
about it, but it sounds like after many years of use the pawl is at end of his life. As I said I
could be totally wrong (there's a pawl inside the lever, isn't?...), as soon as he hears something
from the LBS I will tell you!

Francesco

In article <[email hidden]>, Andrew Swan

Quoted message said:

Dear RBT,

I have RSX shifters on my el cheapo Giant Peloton 7000 road bike, and they've worked fine since
purchase (about 3 years now, in which the bike's done anything from 0 to 180km per week). Lately
however, I've found that the chain doesn't always shift down from the big ring (52) to the middle
ring (42) when I press the shift lever (it's a triple chainring, a non-standard item for this bike
that was fitted by the shop when I bought it). At worst, I have to press the shi(f)t lever up to
half a dozen times to get it to change down (which as you can imagine has its tactical drawbacks,
never mind being disruptive to climbing style).

Lube the [censored] out of the shifter pod with triflow or WD and work the shifter action with the cable
detached 100 times. If it doesn't work, soak it some more, wait overnight and try it again. It often
succeeds, at least for a while.

Thanks all, will try what you suggested.

&roo

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Thanks all, will try what you suggested.

&roo

These guys helped me with the same advice a month or so back. My RSX right lever is now like new
again. (Flushed with WD40 while operating and I followed with a flush of synthetic lube to finish).
I also replaced cables and jackets. Mine is a 97 build and was pretty dirty from rain riding and
also outback dust.

Bruce Graham