Shifting Issues

Is your shifting off a bit?  There could be several things going on.  We’ll divide this into seasonal (meaning Winter) and routine categories.

Seasonal:  Do you notice your bike shifting a bit oddly when you’ve been riding outside?  If so, the first question to ask is, “What is the temperature?”  If you are riding in colder weather, some of your shifting problems could be caused by a sticking freehub body.  That’s the gizmo that allows you to coast.  Basically, it’s a ratchet.

In colder weather, lubricants increase in viscosity.  In other words, the get stickier and thicker.  This can cause a freehub to try to “push” the chain, rather than coasting.  If you aren’t going to be doing a lot more cold weather riding, I’d say leave it alone.  On the other hand, if you anticipate more cold temp riding, you should get to the shop and have them clean, and lubricate your freehub.  Be sure to tell the technician that you are riding in colder weather.  A good tech can set your freehub up with a lighter lubricant for colder weather.  Note:  You will want to have this process reversed when it warms up.

While on the topic of cold and lubricants, think about your chain.  Most dry lubricants will perform well in cold.  If you are using a wet lube on the chain, it can suffer from the cold too.  I’d clean the chain thoroughly, then switch to a dry lube, such as Rock ‘N Roll ™.  I’d also recommend increasing the frequency of chain lubrication.

Routine:  When was the last time you cleaned and lubricated the cable bridge?  This is the guide below the bottom bracket.  It is a prime location for dirt and gunk to build up.  This can act as a “clutch,” slowing the cable’s travel, particularly on upshifts.

For that matter, how long has it been since you replaced cables and housings?  Cables that have been in your shifters for a longer time will begin to stiffen and fatigue.  They are made of steel, and you are bending them back and forth with every shift.  Eventually they fatigue and break.  This is a real nightmare.

Before cables break, they stiffen, and resist movement.  Housings wear internally.  Fresh cables and housings can work miracles.

Do you lubricate the internals of your shifters?  If not, start!  I’d recommend something good, like T-9 Boeshield ™.  This is an excellent pentrant and lubricant.  Note:  Do not use WD-40!!!!

Chain, cassette, and chainring wear can cause shifting problems too.  If you don’t know how to detect chain and gear wear, have your local bike tech check them out.