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Ultegra 10 speed indexing failure/repair expertise

by Nick0
Wed, Aug 07, 2019 09:05
9

Been experiencing increasing failure in the accuracy of the gear change on my favourite bike, which has Ultegra 10 speed. 

I am 99.99% sure it's the indexing mechanism/springs that have gone in the levers.

Has anyone out there experience/knowledge of repairing these before I throw over £100 on a new lever mechanism?

With thanks as always,

Nick0

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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9 comments

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David9694 | 5 years ago
0 likes

New or newish chain and cassette? 

Is the 6700 quite old? I had a front brifter die on me after 10 years. 

If you’re able to mount them, friction down tube levers work perfectly well with 10 speed.

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Drinfinity | 5 years ago
1 like

I had a SRAM brifter more or less seize up on my CX bike. Stripped and cleaned it as far as I could, then used white lithium grease (recommended by SRAM). Worked like new after that.

Your problem may be totally different of course. I’m just a sucker for every sort of specialist lube. DT Swiss ratchet grease that is the same price as saffron, which I’ve used about 20mg of, is my favourite so far.

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Nick0 | 5 years ago
0 likes

Thanks chaps. It is indeed 6700. Tried dropping some good old 3 in 1 down it too, no difference! Am sure it's the lever mech, it's clicking normally but just isn't quite pulling enough cable towards the middle of the cassette range. It sometimes takes three down and two up to change from 7 to 6 or 6 to 5. I've got the sublime 5800 105 on another bike, and I recall the 6700 being pretty good (though not quite as good!). I guess the bike has done 7 or 8k miles and is about 6 years old. Would this be premature wear?

Checked pivots and jockeys. I really wanted to repair it, or find some clever person that could, I am trying not to throw stuff away! 

Guess I'll splurge on a new lever mech, will update on the results.

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BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
0 likes

As above, stretched or sticky cables can be the problem, also rear derailleurs can experience a bit of 'slop', check that the pivots and/or jockey/pulley wheels are still tight.

if it's the 6700 I'm sure you can get a whole new shifter for less.

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ktache | 5 years ago
0 likes

Agree partly with Podc, though I wouldn't want to use a dirt attractant, these days I use Finish Line's PTFE spray to keep my very old XT STI shifters going.

http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/specialty-products/pedal-and-cleat...

 

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Podc | 5 years ago
0 likes

I had a Tiagra shifter go mushy - imprecise shifts and missed shifts. Peeled back the hoods and flooded it with various oils and lubricants - GT85 seemed particularly effective. It improved the shifting back to normal. I then smeared grease wherever I could get to without stripping it. Can't confirm the longevity of the 'fix' as I upgraded shifters and derailleurs soon after. 

Might be worth a try before spending though.

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Jimthebikeguy.com | 5 years ago
0 likes

If you have checked everything else then yes, a well worn shifter might be the issue. Potentially the teeth in the indexing mechanism might be slipping so it isnt pulling enough cable through. Its a cheap enough part if you hunt around. But don't try and repair it, just buy a new brifter set.

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Nick0 | 5 years ago
0 likes

thanks hawkinspeter, replaced the cables, chain, no sign of wear on the cassette or the chainring, derailleur is straight, new hanger (also straightened), new bottom bracket cable guide, it's made no difference at all. Only thing left is the lever mech.  

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hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
2 likes

Replace the inner gear cable first as they can get worn quite quickly - I had one snap inside the brifter.

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