My bike is pissing me off! :( I'm struggling with shifters, clips, everything!

[Alasdair Geddes]

I've almost finished upgrading a classic road bike that was given to me. It's my first road bike so I'm very new to all of this. My main problem with it is the down tube shifters. Basically, I hate them.

The down tube shifters require SO much force to change gear. This significantly reduces my control of the bike. By the time I've managed to change gear, I've slowed down so much that I have to change again. It's hard enough to ride on the bumpy roads near me, let alone riding with one hand forced against a shifter.

Another problem I have is clips. I can't afford anything better, but I still hate them. Every time I try to put my foot in the clip, it flips upside down. I end up with a big queue of angry drivers behind me while I miss opportunities to pull out because the pedal keeps spinning round.

The next problem is the steering. I don't know if this is the same with all road bikes but It is very loose. The slightest bump and the handle bar wobbles and the bike shakes.

The shifters, combined with the terrible road surface near my house and everything else, means lots of swerving in front of cars, buses and lorries.

On the plus side though, when the shifters occasionally work and I find a good quality road, I can go very fast!

 

[Spinney]

Dunno about the shifters etc, but why not just take the clips off? Once you've got everything else sorted out you can try them again, or by then you might be able to afford a pair of clipless?

When I first got a road bike I thought the steering was very twitchy - probably not helped by the narrower handlebars (compared to a hybrid). However it feels fine to me now (not having adjusted anything), so that might be something that you will just get used to!

Enjoy the speed! But worth getting the rest sorted in case you end up swerving under a car, bus or lorry!

 

[HovR]

I suspect the issue with the shifters is either due to the friction being set too high, or the cables being old and gummed up with road dirt (or both).

If the shifters are friction shifters (as opposed to indexed, where they 'click' in to position) there should be a bolt or nut on the side of the shifter that you can turn in or out to increase or decrease the friction. You will need a certain amount of friction to stop the gears automatically changing, but any more than that and the shifter is unnecessarily stiff. You could try loosening this bolt a bit.

If that doesn't solve your issues then the gear cables are probably the problem. Changing the cables is pretty easy, but you will need either some very high quality side cutters (most don't cut it!) or cycle specific cable cutters.

When you remove the old cables, keep the lengths of old outer cable as a reference so you know how long to cut the new lengths of outer cable. When you install the new cables ensure that the shifter is in the highest gear position (for the rear gears, lowest gear position for the front), and that you remove most of the slack from the cable before tightening down the pinch bolt on the derailleur (rear mech).

If you have indexed shifters you have to ensure you set the cable tension correct with the barrel adjuster on the rear derailleur in order for the gears in index correctly.

 

[Cyclist33]

Dunno about the shifters etc, but why not just take the clips off? Once you've got everything else sorted out you can try them again, or by then you might be able to afford a pair of clipless?

When I first got a road bike I thought the steering was very twitchy - probably not helped by the narrower handlebars (compared to a hybrid). However it feels fine to me now (not having adjusted anything), so that might be something that you will just get used to!

Enjoy the speed! But worth getting the rest sorted in case you end up swerving under a car, bus or lorry!

Sorry to go slightly off topic - although it is because I seek context from the OP - but why oh why do we call toeclips "clips", when they're not clips, just a buckle and a cage; and we call the type that you do actually clip into "clipless"?!

That, and calling the drive components "a groupset" (a set of groups?!) tend to make me think that cycling designers are a bit short up-top!

 

[SquareDaff]

If possible use a slightly wider tyre too. Assuming you're using a 23mm up it to a 25. That should take some of the sting out of the potholes etc..

 

[SquareDaff]

Another problem I have is clips. I can't afford anything better, but I still hate them. Every time I try to put my foot in the clip, it flips upside down. I end up with a big queue of angry drivers behind me while I miss opportunities to pull out because the pedal keeps spinning round.

Don't know how you're doing this as you don't specify. I trained myself to do this on the upstroke to counter the natural tendency for the pedal to "sit" upside (heaviest side) down. If you wait until the top of the pedal arc then the tendancy is for the pedal to flip over (as it enters the downstroke) which I suspect might be what's happening with you.

 

[uphillstruggler]

and also, just chill out. youll get used to the bike and its nouances and everything will be fine.

how about some pictures of said bike - it may help the knowledgable people on here point you in the right direction, a picture is worth a thousand words and all that.

and dont forget to breathe

best of luck

 

[fossyant]

There should be very little resistance in down tube shifters, been using them myself for years, and have two bikes that have had them for 20 years. I suspect the cable is dirty near the mech inside the outer cable.

As for steering, road bikes are much more twitchy and you will get used to it. A knackered headset is usually rough and stiff. If its not rattling when you bounce the front wheel, then its done up correctly.

Sounds like there is very little wrong with the bike. Time to start googling how to fix them. It's easy.

 

[Davidc]

As above, slacken off the adjusters on the DT shifters &/or renew cables. As fossyant says they should only need the very lightest touch. I always set them at the point where they just but only just have enough resistance not to slip during road vibration.

The sensitive steering comes from the frame geometry, which is also responsible for the manoeuvrability and easy speed.

Flipping the pedals is just practice.

 

[biggs682]

downtube shifters are easy if all operating parts are in good condition so try some new cables first and go from there .

as for pedals try loosening the clips a bit and pratice flipping them its easy once you get use to them .

as for steering could be loads of issues ie headset worn , tyre size , buckled wheels & road surface .

none of the above are major issues and should be able to be fixed easily enough

 

[Cycleops]

Check the head bearings by holding the front brake on and rocking the bike back and forth, you will be able to feel any play. Adjust the bearings by the two large nuts at the top. If it can't be adjusted out new bearings are needed. Road comfort could be improved by going to 28c tyres, if you have sufficient frame clearance.
What bike is it and how old?