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Check Your Cables Inside the Shifters

The front derailleur still works, of course, so once I tied the rear to hold the 2nd easiest cog on the cassette, I had gear 2 and gear 12 (if you count it that way).

I bought the last derailleur cable in all of Rabun County (North Georgia) at Reeves Hardware. Now I carry a spare cable in the car.

A Bit of Additional Info from John

Fil’s advice is particularly good for any riders who still use older model Shimano shifters. Their Dura-Ace 7800s, and the trickle down equivalents, were notorious for fraying cables inside the shifter.

When the cable breaks in there, it is often quite difficult to get it out. I should know; I rode DA 7800s for years, and I became expert at noticing when that rear shift cable began to fray. It presents exactly the same as an out-of-tune rear derailleur. You just can’t get the bike to shift properly, it won’t quite stay in gear – and you immediately assume that the rear derailleur barrel adjuster needs a quick turn or two.

So quite often you start fiddling with the rear barrel adjuster and continue riding until – snap! – the entire cable breaks off inside the shifter, like what happened to Fil.

So follow his advice, no matter what you ride, and you can prevent this from happening to you.


If you have an idea for a QT, fire away. We’re always looking for good info we can share with fellow roadies. We would love to hear from you with any suggestions you have. Contact us by clicking Quick Tips Ideas.

—John Marsh & The RBR Team

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