After pulling my LeMond Zurich out this year I found my rear shift lever (integrated into the right brake lever) seems not be engaging the latches on the gear to tighten the cable (i.e., to shift to a lower gear).

Is this something that can be adjusted?  I'm hoping I don't have to get a new brake hood and shift unit.

I'm presuming the problem is with the lever as everything otherwise seems to be in tune.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Corey

Quoted: This a 9 speed lever? Flight deck?

+1...What model are we talking about? (disclaimer: I'm not a bike mechanic, nor do I play one on TV, and I didn't even stay at a particular hotel last night, but I figure this would be helpful to someone who is/does/did)

(and as a cyclist, what year Zurich? I have a 2003 with 9-speed Ultegra and love it)

Quoted: Shimano isn't rebuildable like Campy, so you may be looking at replacing the right lever

While I don't know much either, that's my impression of Shimano as well.  (I have ultegra on my main bike)

The bike is a '98 Lemond Zurich with full Ultegra.  The most seductive road bike ever made.  Ever.  

9 in the back IIRC.

If I buy one how hard are they to install?  My bars need a new wrap anyway.

Corey

It's not that hard to install. Invest in a set of Park cable cuters.

Is your Zurich Reynolds 853?

I love my Reynolds 531 bike even though it weighs 21 pounds with 9 speed Dura Ace on it. But heck it is a 67 cm frame.

Sometimes gunk gets in gearwheel and the ratchets dont like to engage. Try spraying the guts of the lever with a solvent (non-chlorinated brake cleaner for example) and you can probably get the lever working again. My brothers ultegra did the same thing and I fixed it like that. Be sure to relube afterward and to not let the solvent get on your griptape or you will need to replace it.

Quoted: Sometimes gunk gets in gearwheel and the ratchets dont like to engage. Try spraying the guts of the lever with a solvent (non-chlorinated brake cleaner for example) and you can probably get the lever working again. My brothers ultegra did the same thing and I fixed it like that. Be sure to relube afterward and to not let the solvent get on your griptape or you will need to replace it.

I called my LBS and that's what they said.  The dude also said that for $50 he can rebuild the Shimano shift levers.  Says he does it all the time but in most cases brake cleaner and a relube will do it.

I almost lost my lunch when I saw that a pair of shift levers was over $300.  

I'll give it a shot, but I'm sure it'll work.  The engagement points are still strong on my lever, just not engaging all the time.

Thanks again everyone.

Corey

If you end up having to replace it as a set, I'll buy the left one!

As mentioned above, McShimano (which I love and ride on everything) isn't rebuildable for the most part.  If the pawls are not engaging...

Also, you might write lennard zinn @ www.velonews.com tech

Not nearly as servicable as my AR's.


Now if only the NRA sponsored a road team...

BTW, a healthy dose of Tri-Flow in the shift lever did the trick.

As good as new.

Thanks everyone.

Corey

PS  Now if I could only find my left neoprene shoe boot.  It's 38 degrees when I go on my morning ride....  

I'll assume the cable is secured correctly in the rear der.

1.  Remove the rear der cable from the rear der.
2.  Pull cable tight - or have someone else pull it.
3.  Shift the lever completely down the rear cogset - keeping pressure on the cable.
4.  Now shift the lever completely up the rear cogset - keeping pressure on the cable.

I've seen Ultegra 'hang-up' and not shift.  Mine did it twice in 4 years - above was my solution.

I bought a Trek 2300 in 91 or so and it was full Ultegra.  Made for a great commute/rain/winter bike while living in Germany.  Fenders, lights, the whole 9 yards.

I wore the Ultegra out after 4 years, so replaced it with the DA that came on the Litespeed I bought.  I have so many miles on the 2300...memories.

Anyway...hope that helps.

Quoted: The most seductive road bike ever made.  Ever.

Oh...and I'd like to say my custom Merckx MX Leader is the most seductive...Ever.

Quoted: Quoted: The most seductive road bike ever made.  Ever.   Oh...and I'd like to say my custom Merckx MX Leader is the most seductive...Ever.

My LBS said that the grease that Shimano packs in the springs and pawls tends to dry out after about 5 years.  That's what caused my situation.

And re: the seductive bike thing, not a chance.



Corey

The grease thing sounds plausible - hope that fixes it.

I've never ridden a Lemond, but have heard some great things.  A cycling buddy of mine in Germany had a model - can't remember which, but it was one of Lemond's first.