Maintaing Tiagra / 105 road bike shifters

[Marin Maniac]

Following on my recent shifter nightmare http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=27827

I had to resort to purchasing a new shifter. This got me thinking about maintaining the shifters.

Does anyone know how and if it is possible to carry out maintence on these type of shifters? I don't mean taking the buggers apart, but tips on keeping them in good working order.

I think I read somewhere on tinternet about taking the tops off, giving them a blast with compressed air and then spraying them with some lubricant. Anyone done this?

 

[e-rider]

I have found that gear shifters require no maintaining for at least 10 years (on 2 bikes) so either you use them a lot (and I mean a lot) or you just a had a bad one.

Should be trouble free for years

 

[Smokin Joe]

I give mine an occassional spray with GT85, more to clean them out and get rid of moisture than anything.

 

[jpembroke]

I know you said you wouldn't do this but just to reiterate: don't even think about dismantling STis!

As Smokin Joe says, the only thing you can do with them is give them a light spray with GT85 to disperse water and to prevent rusting of parts and cables.

 

[Marin Maniac]

Taking the STI's apart? No way Hose!

With regards to giving them a spray with lube, I've got some TF2 knocking about. Will that do the same job as GT 85?

Is there a noticeable difference after lubing them in terms of smoothness of operation etc?

 

[Smokin Joe]

Any light lube will do.

It's never made a difference to shifting though, unless the mechanism was clogged with crap that it flushed out.