Subject: Re: LX Rapidfire Shifter, Doesn't Posted by: Robert on December 30, 2002 at 04:12:56: In Reply to: Re: LX Rapidfire Shifter, Doesn't posted by Cyco on December 28, 2002 at 07:27:52:

Message: >>>`98 Stumpjumper FSR, Shimano LX shifters. >>> >>>The rear shifter, right thumb, doesn't seem to "catch" a lot of the time. I have to push it way down to the bottom of travel to pull the chain onto a larger cog. Sometimes it works fine, i.e., catchs [is that a word?] like it should at top of travel, but usually doesn't and seems to be getting worse. Do I need to replace the shifters or is there something to fix/adjust in there? >>> >>>Thanks for your help. >>>ms >>Time for new ones. If you've done any fair ammount of riding, four years is good life for LX parts. Shimano index shifters have no planned way to fix/overhaul them to keep them working, disassembing them usually breaks something. I have heard of mechanics spraying half a can (more or less) of WD-40 type oil into them to give them some life, but this is a temporary fix. Once they start missing or dropping shifts, as bad as what you describe, it's time for new ones. >>Just for a side, I prefer the Grip Shift type shifters over the Rapid Fires (or should it be Mis-Fires!!!). Rapid Fire shifters are a maze of small parts that all have to work well, while Grip Shift shifters have essentially one moving part, and they can be made to work if your in the middle of a ride and something messes-up. For all those that will argue Rapid Fires are the only way to go, why has Shimano come out with Grip Shift style shifters now? >Try dropping the lower outer cover (be careful not to drop the tiny screws) and check that the main pivot nut on the bottom is tight (LH thread IIRC) when this gets loose it can miss the detents, or it could just be time for replacement. >BTW, Robert, if rapid fire is such an evil thing why is SRAM bringing out its on lever? Sram is not Shimano. So you cannot say whether or not the reliablity will be better or worse until you have had experience. I do have this to say, I am an electronic engineer by trade, and the one rule that applies to everything in engineering is KISS Keep It Simple Stupid. The less parts/simpler the design, the better and more reliable the design will be. I am also a vouluntary bike mechanic at MS Society bike rides/tours. I have been doing this for several years to help out my sister whom works for the MS Society. Out of all the shifter failure/repairs I have worked on, NON have been CAMPY or Grip Shift, ALL been SHIMANO! FACT. Rapid (Mis)Fires are also the majority of shifter failure I see, about 2/3 to 3/4 of the total. The other 1/4 to 1/3 are STI. I have never seen an Ergo or Grip Shift fail. I have had to send several riders off on a 2/3 or 8/9 speed bike, due to the failure of Rapid Fire and STI shifters.