STI problems - Round 2

KnowWhen2HoldemKnowWhen2Foldem said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

First, check that your cable isn't kinked in some way near cable head.
If they are, replace the cable.

Shimano shifters, especially older ones, tend to "act up" when it's
cold or wet. This is most due to lubrication changes (i.e. lubrication
consistency/lube flushed by rain). Shimano has a 2 yr. warranty on
Ultegra, iirc. If they persist in acting up get the shifter warrantied.

KnowWhen2HoldemKnowWhen2Foldem said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

KnowWhen2HoldemKnowWhen2Foldem said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Check the cable "guide plate" underneath the BB shell. Often, these get
full of drippings from sports drinks held in a bottle cage. When the
temp drops, the goo gets stiff and shifting probs occur. Clean it out,
lube the cables and see what happens.

Thanks all for the advice. Will try it out. Glad to know that the shifters
have a two year warranty. That gives me more time to see if the shifter
deteriorates.

"KnowWhen2HoldemKnowWhen2Foldem"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part
and should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part
and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

For what it's worth, my inside guy at Shimano says not to re-lube an
in-warranty lever. You're better off sending it back for warranty
replacement. Two reasons why. First, they feel pretty darned highly about
their "factory grease" and yeah, you can take that or leave it. But second,
and definitely something to think about, is that it's likely the lever does
have an issue, and if you apply band-aids to it you might keep it working
long enough to die after the warranty's expired. Since Shimano is more than
willing to replace levers with issues (providing they don't show evidence of
having been crashed), I'd it's best to send an in-warranty lever back to
Shimano for replacement. Yeah, a bit of a hassle (maybe 2 weeks max downtime
including shipping), but it might save a lot of grief down the road.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

KnowWhen2HoldemKnowWhen2Foldem said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part
and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part
and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

For what it's worth, my inside guy at Shimano says not to re-lube an
in-warranty lever. You're better off sending it back for warranty
replacement. Two reasons why. First, they feel pretty darned highly about
their "factory grease" and yeah, you can take that or leave it. But second,
and definitely something to think about, is that it's likely the lever does
have an issue, and if you apply band-aids to it you might keep it working
long enough to die after the warranty's expired. Since Shimano is more than
willing to replace levers with issues (providing they don't show evidence of
having been crashed), I'd it's best to send an in-warranty lever back to
Shimano for replacement. Yeah, a bit of a hassle (maybe 2 weeks max downtime
including shipping), but it might save a lot of grief down the road.

This is an issue!!. Waiting for shimano to warranty. WHY doesn't
shimano step up to the plate and make their levers either simplier,
like Campag and Sram has, or make them more serviceable. Having a
$400+(OK, $200 for one lever) fail in less than 2-3 years is unsat!! I
don't care how good they 'may' feel. My biggest grip with shimano. It's
like the transmission in your car being a weak link, often needing
replacement, covered in warranty!!, but needing it nonetheless.

Quoted message said:

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

KnowWhen2HoldemKnowWhen2Foldem said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part
and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part
and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

For what it's worth, my inside guy at Shimano says not to re-lube an
in-warranty lever. You're better off sending it back for warranty
replacement. Two reasons why. First, they feel pretty darned highly about
their "factory grease" and yeah, you can take that or leave it. But second,
and definitely something to think about, is that it's likely the lever does
have an issue, and if you apply band-aids to it you might keep it working
long enough to die after the warranty's expired. Since Shimano is more than
willing to replace levers with issues (providing they don't show evidence of
having been crashed), I'd it's best to send an in-warranty lever back to
Shimano for replacement. Yeah, a bit of a hassle (maybe 2 weeks max downtime
including shipping), but it might save a lot of grief down the road.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

KnowWhen2HoldemKnowWhen2Foldem said:

I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
this
be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part
and
should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

Does Shimano send a factory new replacement, a factory refurbished
replacement, or do they repair the returned lever? Do they authorize
the LBS to replace the lever, then get restocked?
Doug B.

Quoted message said:

Does Shimano send a factory new replacement, a factory refurbished
replacement, or do they repair the returned lever? Do they authorize
the LBS to replace the lever, then get restocked?
Doug B.

Shimano sends brand new levers, and rarely questions anything (unless the
lever appears to have been crashed), but absolutely will not authorize a
shop to replace a lever without seeing it.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Doug B." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

> I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front
> derailleur)
> recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
> intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
> completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
> happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true
> that
> the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
> this
> be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective
> part
> and
> should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

For what it's worth, my inside guy at Shimano says not to re-lube an
in-warranty lever. You're better off sending it back for warranty
replacement. Two reasons why. First, they feel pretty darned highly about
their "factory grease" and yeah, you can take that or leave it. But
second,
and definitely something to think about, is that it's likely the lever
does
have an issue, and if you apply band-aids to it you might keep it working
long enough to die after the warranty's expired. Since Shimano is more
than
willing to replace levers with issues (providing they don't show evidence
of
having been crashed), I'd it's best to send an in-warranty lever back to
Shimano for replacement. Yeah, a bit of a hassle (maybe 2 weeks max
downtime
including shipping), but it might save a lot of grief down the road.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

KnowWhen2HoldemKnowWhen2Foldem wrote:
> I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front
> derailleur)
> recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
> intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
> completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
> happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true
> that
> the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
> this
> be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective
> part
> and
> should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

Does Shimano send a factory new replacement, a factory refurbished
replacement, or do they repair the returned lever? Do they authorize
the LBS to replace the lever, then get restocked?
Doug B.

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

> I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front derailleur)
> recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
> intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
> completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said this
> happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true that
> the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but should
> this
> be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective part
> and
> should be replaced before the warranty expires?

Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If it
is still 'sick', warranty.

For what it's worth, my inside guy at Shimano says not to re-lube an
in-warranty lever. You're better off sending it back for warranty
replacement. Two reasons why. First, they feel pretty darned highly about
their "factory grease" and yeah, you can take that or leave it. But second,
and definitely something to think about, is that it's likely the lever does
have an issue, and if you apply band-aids to it you might keep it working
long enough to die after the warranty's expired. Since Shimano is more than
willing to replace levers with issues (providing they don't show evidence of
having been crashed), I'd it's best to send an in-warranty lever back to
Shimano for replacement. Yeah, a bit of a hassle (maybe 2 weeks max downtime
including shipping), but it might save a lot of grief down the road.

This is an issue!!. Waiting for shimano to warranty. WHY doesn't
shimano step up to the plate and make their levers either simplier,
like Campag and Sram has, or make them more serviceable. Having a
$400+(OK, $200 for one lever) fail in less than 2-3 years is unsat!! I
don't care how good they 'may' feel. My biggest grip with shimano. It's
like the transmission in your car being a weak link, often needing
replacement, covered in warranty!!, but needing it nonetheless.

Quoted message said:

If I were a customer with only one road bike and my STI lever failed
and it took two weeks for replacement, I'd be very unlikely to ever buy
another, warranty or no warranty. Yet people do.....????

Quoted message said:

If I were a customer with only one road bike and my STI lever failed
and it took two weeks for replacement, I'd be very unlikely to ever buy
another, warranty or no warranty. Yet people do.....????

Plan B would be to charge the customer for a new lever from stock, and then
refund the money when the replacement lever comes from Shimano. Thus the
rider is only temporarily inconvenienced. There are some costs involved in
terms of shipping and time, but it's not that big a deal. We're just happy
that Shimano has been good enough to keep the parts in stock, and doesn't go
out of their way to question things. It could be worse.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

>> I have 6 month old Ultegra Shifters. The left shifter (front
>> derailleur)
>> recently began to totally miss shifts to the small chainring on an
>> intermittent basis. I would push the small lever and it would move
>> completely to the right without "catching". The LBS mechanic said
>> this
>> happens more when it gets cold and he lubed the shifter. It is true
>> that
>> the shifter does not miss indoors or when it is warmer out, but
>> should
>> this
>> be happening on such a new shifter or is this a sign of a defective
>> part
>> and
>> should be replaced before the warranty expires?
>
> Flush well with WD-40, then lube with a spray lube like Prolink. If
> it
> is still 'sick', warranty.

For what it's worth, my inside guy at Shimano says not to re-lube an
in-warranty lever. You're better off sending it back for warranty
replacement. Two reasons why. First, they feel pretty darned highly
about
their "factory grease" and yeah, you can take that or leave it. But
second,
and definitely something to think about, is that it's likely the lever
does
have an issue, and if you apply band-aids to it you might keep it
working
long enough to die after the warranty's expired. Since Shimano is more
than
willing to replace levers with issues (providing they don't show
evidence of
having been crashed), I'd it's best to send an in-warranty lever back
to
Shimano for replacement. Yeah, a bit of a hassle (maybe 2 weeks max
downtime
including shipping), but it might save a lot of grief down the road.

This is an issue!!. Waiting for shimano to warranty. WHY doesn't
shimano step up to the plate and make their levers either simplier,
like Campag and Sram has, or make them more serviceable. Having a
$400+(OK, $200 for one lever) fail in less than 2-3 years is unsat!! I
don't care how good they 'may' feel. My biggest grip with shimano. It's
like the transmission in your car being a weak link, often needing
replacement, covered in warranty!!, but needing it nonetheless.

Quoted message said:

If I were a customer with only one road bike and my STI lever failed
and it took two weeks for replacement, I'd be very unlikely to ever buy
another, warranty or no warranty. Yet people do.....????

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

If I were a customer with only one road bike and my STI lever failed
and it took two weeks for replacement, I'd be very unlikely to ever buy
another, warranty or no warranty. Yet people do.....????

Plan B would be to charge the customer for a new lever from stock, and then
refund the money when the replacement lever comes from Shimano. Thus the
rider is only temporarily inconvenienced. There are some costs involved in
terms of shipping and time, but it's not that big a deal. We're just happy
that Shimano has been good enough to keep the parts in stock, and doesn't go
out of their way to question things. It could be worse.

Mike, I'm not faulting you or anyone at the retail level. I'm faulting
Shimano for an El Crappo product. In your scenario, the rider is less
inconvienced, but the LBS kinda takes it in the neck.

???And kudos to Shimano for keeping stock of a product known to fail,
and not looking too hard when it does??? Why not make a better product
and save all the grief for everyone involved? I am generally a fan of
Shimano, but road STI shifters are [censored] (sorry).