Gear Problems....

[sawyer280769]

Been working on the bike all day (old TREK road bike), fitted new tubes, tyres and bar tape. Lubed up all the bits and bobs and thougth it was ready for a little run. All wheels etc seemed to be running freely. Got it out the drive and onto the road and started off.

Tried to change the gears and.........nothing. Flip the gear paddle (if the right word), both of them and no movement at all.

Took it back in the garage and had a look. All cables seem to be there but when the gear paddle isengaged there is absolutely no movement in the cable which I assume you need to move the gear selectors. Am I missing something obvious?

 

[Sittingduck]

The gear cables are connected to the shifters correctly?

 

[spandex]

It sounds like your cables have snagged some where. Pull the cables at the mech if ok work you way up the cable to the bar tape if it is still all ok it will be something you did to the cable run when you was doing the bar tape.

 

[Bigtwin]

Grab the gear cable - at the top tube will do - and pull it. Click the gear lever till it's on the highest gear position (i.e. smallest cog at rear).

You should feel the cable lengthening. If not, lever's bust. If you have slack in the cable in the top gear position, take it up at the derail and start again.

 

[sawyer280769]

I dont know if the cables are connected to the shifters correctly. How can I check? When I click the gear lever there is absolutely NO movement in the cable at all.

 

[spandex]

Did it all work before you started to do any changes ?

 

[sawyer280769]

I dont know as I got the bike with out the wheels attache dto it. I will ask the guy who I got it from and see if he had any problems.

 

[spandex]

Try what I said and all so try and bend the outer cables by the shifters

 

[Bigtwin]

I dont know if the cables are connected to the shifters correctly. How can I check? When I click the gear lever there is absolutely NO movement in the cable at all.

Peel back the hoods and have a look - self-explanatory why you look at it - you'll see where the cable is routed into the lever and will see the nipple on the end.

 

[sawyer280769]

Right the cables are definitley connected. seems the shifters are disconnected (if they can be?) Got me stumped

 

[Steve Austin]

spray some WD40 inside the gear lever, and let it soak in for a bit. The mechanism aside the shifter can lock up when not used

 

[spandex]

Try what Steve said it may work all so try and get some in the cable outer

 

[sawyer280769]

The shifter moves no problem it just seems to be having no effect on the cable.

 

[spandex]

If that is the case it is the cable it will be jammed inside the outer. Get as much slack as you can in the cable and unhook it from the frame then move the outers and lube the cables.

 

[sawyer280769]

I have done as suggested with the cables and the inner seems to be moving freely through the outer. Whilst I had the inner moving freely I flipped the gear shifter and its not having any effect on the cable ata all wether its connected or not. Looks like a trip to my local bike shop is on the cards so they can get the gears working. Anyone tell me what to expect to pay to have the cables all replaced and maybe a service?