Dura Ace Big Ring Shifting...hard as hell

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coneill0422
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:16 pm

by coneill0422

I just built up a new bike with my Dura Ace 7900 take offs, and now the shifting into the big ring is hard as hell. Actually even last year it was harder than hell to get it into the big ring. I crashed pretty hard last season and messed up my shoulder and left wrist, now I am finding it almost impossible to shift into the big ring without any help from the right hand.

Has anyone experienced something like this and does anyone have any work-arounds to make this shifting easier (other than upgrading to Di2)?

mattr
Posts: 4671
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 6:43 pm
Location: The Grim North.

by mattr

New cables (inner/outer) good quality goes without saying, lube (use the correct stuff), check the cable is routed correctly and there are no burrs or blockages in the shifter, check the bottom bracket guide is clean, make sure all the front mech pivots are clean, corrosion free and lubed. (And not over tightened)

IIRC 7900 is stiff as hell anyway.

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btompkins0112
Posts: 2635
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:04 am
Location: Mississippi

by btompkins0112

Are you positive your limit screws are adjusted correctly? Is your cable tension correct? Too high?

Outside of that I would upgrade to 9000.....even the mechanical is easy as pie to shift the front.

oreoboreo
Posts: 510
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 2:25 pm
Location: Aloha, Oregon/ Poipu, Kauai Hawaii

by oreoboreo

Upgrade to 9000 cables on the 7900. If you end up moving to the 9000 you have cables. I recently did just that and the 7900 is much better, not 9000 but better.

s
Let's finish the ride with a 20% grade.

2011 Scott Addict R1 DA 7900 Matt black
2012 Scott CR1 Pro Ultegra 6700
2015 Specialized SWorks Tarmac Da 9000
2016 Specialized SWorks Tarmac DA 9100

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06SpiceRed
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:06 am
Location: Boulder, Colorado

by 06SpiceRed

I will certainly agree going with 9000 cables will make a world of a difference on the older 7900 stuff. Thats what ive done and its so much smoother...



Or go with Di2 and forget the cables entirely!
A bunch of carbon, with a bunch of electronic parts

ToffieBoi
Posts: 417
Joined: Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:54 pm
Location: Krakow, Poland

by ToffieBoi

Are you sure that you routed the cable correct? Especially on the FD.

coneill0422
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:16 pm

by coneill0422

Yes everything is routed correctly and adjusted properly. I just replaced all of the cables and housing (lbs house branded) though I did just order some Shimano PTFE Coated Inner Gear Cable to see if that makes and difference...

Hbrown
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2013 2:13 am

by Hbrown

Please, disconnect cable from FD. Pull cable completely out of housing, but leaving it in the shifter, pull cable, and at the same time, shift the shifter up and down.

You should feel the shifts on the cable and it should be definite and crisp. You should have 3 clicks up and down.

If clicks are not crisp, you have missed the cable guides within the shifter and the head of the cable is not in the detent.

Shift the shifter to its lowest setting using the small lever. Pull cable out of shifter, shift up and down again to make sure the detent and guides are lined up. Reinstall cable and check shifter for crisp definite shifts up and down.

If crisp reinstall in cable housing, check your limiter screws for the FD and adjust as needed. Reinstall cable to FD shifts should be nice and ez, if not, there is a access plate on the shifter, remove the very small screws, remove the plate and you will be able to see the guides and the detent for the cable stop. either place cable in guides, or make sure that the cable is fully seated in the detent. While you are in there put a dab of grease on the guides (why not) reinstall the side plate, and check for crisp shifts. You should be good now.

Just for FYI your shifter instructions shows the access plate and cable routing.

Now back to a little Holiday Livation, or should I say lubrication?

oreoboreo
Posts: 510
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 2:25 pm
Location: Aloha, Oregon/ Poipu, Kauai Hawaii

by oreoboreo

Nice job HBrown
Let's finish the ride with a 20% grade.

2011 Scott Addict R1 DA 7900 Matt black
2012 Scott CR1 Pro Ultegra 6700
2015 Specialized SWorks Tarmac Da 9000
2016 Specialized SWorks Tarmac DA 9100

coneill0422
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:16 pm

by coneill0422

Thanks that is great info. I will be doing that right after the holidays!

WESTMOTORSPORTS
Posts: 29
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:33 pm

by WESTMOTORSPORTS

Just to clarify...Your front drlr shifts fine but you are having a hard time using your shifters due to a problem with your wrist.....bio-mechanical problem, not a bicycle mechanical problem :smartass: . Either get your wrist checked further by a doctor(if it is still hurting after all this time, you must have a problem), change your bike to a single ring set-up, or get electric. Oops, no di2...single chainring it is! Or, you could always get a subscription to Peloton magazine, there is enough bike porn in there to help you exercise and strengthen your wrist :thumbup: !

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keith
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by keith

I had a similar problem with DA 7800 - I had attached the cable onto the wrong side of the FD shift arm... Embarasing!
Riding my road bikes around Eryri

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