Shimano Ultegra Lever failure - Help

[tj]

Hi all,

Advice needed - I have suffered a failure of the front changer lever (9
speed ultegra 2002) the two levers have locked up and the inner one will
not budge though the two move ok together.

I am told by my local BS that this is something to do with the barrel
and I will have to replace the levers as they are not serviceable at a
cost of £170 (or £200 if I opt for a 10 speed upgrade). It seems that
the lever assemblys are available only as a pair.

Is this correct ?

I find it staggering that the levers are not serviceable.

Given that the Ultegra's have failed within a few thousand miles should
I risk putting them on again or switch to an alternative design i.e. durace

Any advice comments appreciated

Thanks

TJ

 

[M-gineering]

tj wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Advice needed - I have suffered a failure of the front changer lever (9
> speed ultegra 2002) the two levers have locked up and the inner one will
> not budge though the two move ok together.
>
> I am told by my local BS that this is something to do with the barrel
> and I will have to replace the levers as they are not serviceable at a
> cost of £170 (or £200 if I opt for a 10 speed upgrade). It seems that
> the lever assemblys are available only as a pair.
>
> Is this correct ?
>

Not exactly true, but just replacing the LH innards at 100 ukp with a
lot of work doesn't make much sense.

Apart from checking that the outer cable isn't frayed and stuck in the
works, letting loose half a can of LPS or similar at the innards and
joining the club of dissappointed 9 sp STI owners (local branch) there
isn't much you can do.

> I find it staggering that the levers are not serviceable.
>
If you had a bike fitted with Campagnolo (which can be serviced but
rarely need to) you would find it very funny!

> Given that the Ultegra's have failed within a few thousand miles should
> I risk putting them on again or switch to an alternative design i.e. durace


I've the distinct impression that Shimano 10 speed levers are more
reliable than the 9's, but also consider CAmpag levers and rear
derailleur. DA 9's are no better than the not quite so expensive ones



--
---
Marten Gerritsen

INFOapestaartjeM-GINEERINGpuntNL
www.m-gineering.nl

 

[Call me Bob]

On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 13:42:16 +0000, tj <[email protected]> wrote:

>I have suffered a failure of the front changer lever (9
>speed ultegra 2002)
>I am told by my local BS that this is something to do with the barrel
>and I will have to replace the levers as they are not serviceable at a
>cost of £170 (or £200 if I opt for a 10 speed upgrade). It seems that
>the lever assemblys are available only as a pair.
>
>Is this correct ?

Yes, it seems to be. The answer is to move to Campagnolo, as others
have said.

On the other hand, I've just noticed that someone is flogging a brand
new Ultegra left hand lever on ebay at the moment. Currently standing
at about 30 quid, auction ends tomorrow morning:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-Ulteg...211281004QQcategoryZ42330QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

"Bob"
--

Email address is spam trapped, to reply directly remove the beverage.

 

[Simon Brooke]

in message <[email protected]>, tj ('[email protected]')
wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Advice needed - I have suffered a failure of the front changer lever (9
> speed ultegra 2002) the two levers have locked up and the inner one
> will not budge though the two move ok together.
>
> I am told by my local BS that this is something to do with the barrel
> and I will have to replace the levers as they are not serviceable at a
> cost of £170 (or £200 if I opt for a 10 speed upgrade). It seems that
> the lever assemblys are available only as a pair.
>
> Is this correct ?
>
> I find it staggering that the levers are not serviceable.

Campagnolo levers (I know, I'm a bore) are easy to strip and all the
parts are obtainable individually (and remarkably inexpensively). I've
never stripped a Shimano lever but I'm told it isn't hard. However, the
parts are not obtainable.

Yet another reason to upgrade your bike to a _proper_ groupset.

> Given that the Ultegra's have failed within a few thousand miles should
> I risk putting them on again or switch to an alternative design i.e.
> durace

DuraAce just puts you in the same position. Shifters do wear - all of
them. Campagnolo are serviceable, Shimano (because of the parts issue)
effectively are not.

--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
"This young man has not the faintest idea how socialists think and does
not begin to understand the mentality of the party he has been elected
to lead. He is quite simply a liberal"
-- Ken Coates MEP (Lab) of Tony Blair

 

[M-gineering]

Simon Brooke wrote:
I've
> never stripped a Shimano lever but I'm told it isn't hard.

But putting all the fiddly bits and springs back in is!
--
---
Marten Gerritsen

INFOapestaartjeM-GINEERINGpuntNL
www.m-gineering.nl

 

[MSeries]

Simon Brooke wrote:

>
> Yet another reason to upgrade your bike to a _proper_ groupset.
>

Yawn

 

[Dave Larrington]

In article <[email protected]>, Simon
Brooke ([email protected]) wrote:

> Shifters do wear - all of them.

/STI/ shifters wear. Down-tube and bar-end ones seem to be bullet-
proof...

--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
Official: Living in a wardrobe can be injurious to one's health
<URL:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-1567961,00.html>

 

[Mark Tranchant]

Dave Larrington wrote:

> /STI/ shifters wear. Down-tube and bar-end ones seem to be bullet-
> proof...

You clearly don't cycle enough. ;-)

--
Mark.
http://tranchant.plus.com/

 

[MSeries]

Mark Tranchant wrote:
> Dave Larrington wrote:
>
> > /STI/ shifters wear. Down-tube and bar-end ones seem to be bullet-
> > proof...
>
> You clearly don't cycle enough. ;-)
>

Who does ?

Legs is right though, downtube shifters are the best. Even better than
bar ends IMO since they need less cabling, can be fitted and removed
without messing with handlebars and tape and can be operated easily and
safely with either hand.

 

[tj]

Thanks to all of you for your input - sadly i missed the auction item by
minutes

I had a long debate with my LBS on this and i've opted for an Ultegra 10
speed - sorry to dissappoint all you real bikers ;-)

The 10 speed is apparrently serviceable and likely to remain so for a
few years yet so it seemed a fair choice esp. I have a flight deck
computer on there too which is 10sp compatible I just don't want to
think about the cost.

I'm cycling in Italy this summer so i'll feel better about it then.

Thanks again

I'll post a new question now for cassette choice.

TJ

 

[mb]

tj wrote:

>
> Thanks to all of you for your input - sadly i missed the auction item
> by minutes
>
> I had a long debate with my LBS on this and i've opted for an Ultegra
> 10 speed - sorry to dissappoint all you real bikers ;-)
>

You won't be sorry, I upgraded one bike to 10 speed Ultegra a while ago
and the difference is amazing.
You'll see what I mean when you try it

--
Mike