Shifter question

[kelownagirl]

Is it common for a bike with a compact double to have a front shifter that is for a triple? When I bought this bike, I *think* it came with a triple so they put on a compact double for me.

Since then,I've found the front derailleur is a bit finicky sometimes and I seem to have to adjust the cable every 3-4 rides. The LBS guy says that's just because it's new and the cable is stll stretching.

Today I noticed that my left shifter actually says 'triple' on it and then I realized that part of my problem is that I often have to shift twice to get it to change gears. When I took a closer look, I could see that it is actually shifting as if there is a triple on front.

So before I head into the LBS later this week, I thought I'd pick your brains first and see if this is common or just an error on their part.

[pardes]

My Trek 7.6 FX came the same way. Three slots on the left shifter and only a double crankset. I've since had a triple installed to gain better granny gears and I'm very happy with it.

[Flur]

I'm wishing mine was a triple. From the thread that I posted earlier this week, it sounds like using a derailleur for a triple prevents you from having to use trim and worrying about the chain rubbing on the derailleur.

[Becky]

When I rebuilt my Bianchi, I intentionally installed triple shifters but a compact double crankset. I can switch to a triple if needed without having to change anything else. The front derailleur is a triple as well, and the bottom bracket is external (Hollowtech II).

As long as my limiting screws are set properly and the cable tension is adjusted, I don't have any "extra" or "dead" clicks in the front shifter. Even with a triple FD, I do have to trim in the small ring, but it's ok now that I've learned when I need to do it.

Without seeing the bike, I'm inclined to agree with your mechanic that it's cable stretch. I might start from scratch with the front derailleur and unbolt the cable entirely, then re-install it to ensure that I'd gotten all of the slack out and didn't have any "dead spots" in the front shifting.

[kelownagirl]

Well I love the compact double and definitely won't need to go back to a triple again. As long as I know people out there have triple shifters on a compact double, then I won't worry too much about it. Next time I'm around the LBS, I'll get them to make another adjustment and will mention the problem.

Thanks for the feedback

[aicabsolut]

My compact uses a double shifter. The only half click I have is for trim.

If you're having issues with the cable, try this: Loosen the cable all the way at the barrel (and loosen it at the pinch if it doesn't get very loose from the first), and shift it to the little ring. Grab the cable under the downtube and yank pretty hard sideways. It and/or the ferrules may not be seated right. Then tighten the cable at the pinch bolt and readjust the indexing (after first checking that the limits are ok). I had someone suggest this approach when I couldn't keep my RD in tune at all after the shop recabled everything. It really helped.

I was told that new cables technically don't stretch. They just become better seated in the housing and ferrules after some use. They should function pretty much the same until they are totally worn out.