Won't shift on first try

[OakLeaf]

Just for reference, how many miles do you usually get out of a shifter cable (particularly the rear)? Is yearly replacement enough regardless of mileage?

[aicabsolut]

I usually get one season. That was close to a full year at first. By upping my mileage and racing, the past 2 years, I've put on new cables at the end of March and had to replace the rear cable in the fall. Last year, I made it till October. This year, August. I've done more tough climbing this season, which probably has to do with it because of more shifting and more shifting up under heavier loads. I've put over 2000 miles on with this cable.

I think some of it depends on your drive train. Shimano shifters are pretty notorious for eating cables. I'd been told that I'd get a lot more life out of Dura Ace cables than standard Shimano, because they are thicker. So far with the rear, that hasn't been true for me.

At any rate, I think that it's pretty good practice to change cables at least yearly if not 2x a year.

[HillSlugger]

I usually get one season. That was close to a full year at first. By upping my mileage and racing, the past 2 years, I've put on new cables at the end of March and had to replace the rear cable in the fall. Last year, I made it till October. This year, August. I've done more tough climbing this season, which probably has to do with it because of more shifting and more shifting up under heavier loads. I've put over 2000 miles on with this cable.

I think some of it depends on your drive train. Shimano shifters are pretty notorious for eating cables. I'd been told that I'd get a lot more life out of Dura Ace cables than standard Shimano, because they are thicker. So far with the rear, that hasn't been true for me.

At any rate, I think that it's pretty good practice to change cables at least yearly if not 2x a year.

Do you have to replace the bar tape each time to replace the housing underneath?

[aicabsolut]

For the rear cable, it doesn't run under the tape with my shifters, so there was no problem there. I didn't change the housing this time anyway. It's in good shape. The cable was shredding up inside the shifter and not at a ferrule or something. I'll save that for when I do a complete cable replacement.

In general, it depends on the tape you have (and how gross it is). My tape has a gel backing that helps it stick to itself enough to wrap easily, but it's not adhesive. Adhesive-backed tapes are easy to rip when you take it off and harder to rewrap even if they don't rip. Then there's the dirt factor.

[HillSlugger]

For the rear cable, it doesn't run under the tape with my shifters, so there was no problem there. I didn't change the housing this time anyway. It's in good shape. The cable was shredding up inside the shifter and not at a ferrule or something. I'll save that for when I do a complete cable replacement.

In general, it depends on the tape you have (and how gross it is). My tape has a gel backing that helps it stick to itself enough to wrap easily, but it's not adhesive. Adhesive-backed tapes are easy to rip when you take it off and harder to rewrap even if they don't rip. Then there's the dirt factor.

I ask because I realize now that I should have replaced the cables on my used tri bike when I bought it but since I just replaced the bar tape I'm reluctant to want to do anything.

[OakLeaf]

I was thinking I ought to replace my rear derailleur cable, 2750 miles. From what you're saying I'm really pushing its life. Going to a show tonight - I'll stop by a bike shop while I'm in town. Thanks!

[aicabsolut]

I was thinking more about it, and I realized I've never gone a full year on derailleur cables. 2 years in a row, I made it one race season. Of course, I got a new bike this year that I did most of my racing on, so the other bike that got used the most from Oct-early March is still on it's fall '08 cables.

Farther back, I think I've always needed to replace derailleur cables 2x a year at least. The first time, the housing split. After that, I started having shifting problems, always in the rear. With non-Dura Ace cables, I would always replace the front at the same time. I'm going to experiment to see if the Dura Ace front cable will last maybe the length of 2 rear cables.

It's weird, but I think I change my cables more often than my chain!

[Kelly728]

ah now I've really done it, but I'm sure an easy fix for the LBS. After cleaning (and trying to be a mechanic) I have it stuck in the small chain ring. Oops. I think I'll be dropping my bike off on sunday.

[cattygrrl]

Shimano 105 shifters (especially fronts) have had a run of problems. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that your LBS guy called Shimano and had them send a replacement front shifter (my guy taught me to change the 9-speed ones without removing the handlebar tape, but I haven't tried it on the 10-speed stuff). Our shop dude said that the last two times he called Shimano about a 105 shifter, they didn't even wait for him to finish describing the problem before they issued a return number.

[Kelly728]

Finally made it out to the LBS, 45 minute drive for a 5 minute repair!
A bit of cable adjustments and it seems to be shifting just fine but we'll see what happens the next time I can take it out on the road. (Maybe my injury will be a 5 minute repair too..)