How to service or fix stuck Shimano Shifters - Dura-Ace 7800 (look below for other shifters)

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[@WN-ff4qb]

Hi George. A BIG thanks for this video. I'm a 66 year old bike rider who returned in 2023 to biking after a 11 year hiatus caused by a blown knee. I had a good (if frustrating, age wise😉) season easing back into biking until early September. I was climbing a 12 kilometer climb (ave. 9% gradient; I live in Switzerland) when I looked down at my bike computer and I was suddenly off of the road, which had a really steep drop off. Luckily, my fall was stopped by a tree trunk! 🤦‍♂ Big crash, broken thumb, lacerated forearm, blood everywhere, etc. In any case, I went to clean and fix up the bike last week when I discovered that the right shifter was not working properly, just as in your video. I've always done my own maintenance and was confident I could fix this problem. I discovered, however, a small crack inside the shifter body and I assumed that was the cause of the hit and miss shifting. I've scoured the internet looking for a replacement 7800, but they are stupidly expensive, so I thought to look on KZbin, where I came across your video. I tried it today and it seems that all I had to do was follow your instructions. Worked perfectly after two shots of WD40. When I think back to where I landed, it seems obvious that lots of dirt and other crud was forced into the shifter body when I crashed. It just needed a good clean out. It seems that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, so once again, thanks. I've subscribed to your channel and given this video a big thumbs up. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thank you for subscribing and thank you for watching!

[@tomrevell1550]

Thank you for the video. Can I suggest that this is best done with the bike the correct way up; it's even more of a mess but the design of the mechanism means that dirt and debris is best flushed out that way. The worst outcome is pushing dirt further into areas it'll get stuck, one day finding itself to an important part of the mechanism and crunching it up. Another thing to consider is that you're also stripping the 'forever' grease in all the non-replaceable moving parts if you use a solvent. This then makes the shifters more susceptible to the effects of harsh weather and in particular the possibility of completely shattering internally if there's excessive moisture and the temperature's below freezing. Trust me, I'm a messenger with over 50,000 all seasons km's on a number of these shifters and have encountered various others. The method's great but don't go mad with the spray and go for something oil based with less solvents (not WD40 in Europe, it doesn't have any oil in it). Spray a bit, work the shifters (gently, they can be prone to break if they're completely seized up), leave it a while, repeat. Once they click nice again leave the bike overnight and clean up the underside of the shifters with some degreaser on a cloth, just so there's nothing for new dirt to stick to.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thanks for watching

[@WesCrockettCA]

Thank you @SeeYouUpThe Road and @tomrevell1550! Mine was seized up and this fixed it. Originally, trying upside down didn't work, but I flipped it right side up and shot more lubricant in, and BOOM, the front shifter was working! Now I need to figure out if my Chain is good or not :D FYI, used WD-40... probably not the ideal product, but it did work.

[@nfactorial.decision.science]

George, thank you so much for this video. Saved me a bunch of time trying to find a replacement and left me scratching my head as to why some professional bike mechanics in Sydney don't know this! Three trips to different bike shops and many $ later - still no fix. You really know your stuff!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thank You! I’m so happy to hear this little tip worked for you. Please consider subscribing 😊

[@johnmorrison8351]

My 2008 Madone has been driving my nuts with this issue. I’ve considered replacing the drivetrain, but boy have they gotten expensive over the last fourteen years! Bless you sir

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Aww Thank You! I’m glad it helped. Please consider subscribing

[@esaaalfredo]

This is awesome!!!, thank you so much for your video. I’ve been dealing with this issue for years. Several shops tried to fix it, and they all end up suggesting me to get new shifters. After a frustrating ride yesterday, I was decided to pull the trigger on a new shifter, found one on eBay but decided to do my last search to find a solution and bang!!! Your video showed up. I put my bike upside down like you suggested and applied WD40 in both shifters, it worked on the second application. I still can’t believe it.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

So wonderful to hear that I was able to help you. Most bike shops just want to sell you a new gruppo thanks for watching please consider subscribing

[@stevekuster7843]

In the past, I've lubed my LeMond's Shimano drivetrain many times, but it has continued to stick. But I just tried your upside down bike trick, and WOW!!! My frustrating shifting days are over. Thanks, George!!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Hello Steve great news and thank you for the feedback! Please like and share the video with your friends. Please consider subscribing as well

[@paulwixman8151]

I think you just saved me a big hassle. I called Shimano for an RA# recently to replace a NOS 7800 shifter, but I'll try your quick fix method first.....Many thanks! Pjw

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Hello Paul thank you for your note. How did it work out for you? Did this video help? Thanks for watching please consider subscribing

[@paulwixman8151]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad Hey George, Thanks for checking in....I used a silicone based lubricant spray liberally on the 7800 right-side lever. After a few mins. I started to get the function of the secondary lever back. It is still not 100%, but I'm definately not returning it to Shimano as they would only grant me credit-no DA replacement avaiable. I'm confident the functionality will increase with more use. I'm glad I found our vid....and subscribed as well! Cheers, Pjw

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

⁠that’s great news. 7800 is a very old shifter I’m surprised Shimano was considering doing anything for you. It was released in 2004! Dura-Ace warranty is only 3 years.

[@GrimComix]

So glad to find this video. Thank you for this easy fix. My 2008 S-Works Roubaix has been driving me crazy with this issue.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

I’m so glad you found this video too! Please like share and subscribe!

[@Rideurbikenkma]

Welp, I know what I am going to do tomorrow, ride my 7800 around the block and check my shifting. I love your backstories and history of things. Knowledge is a fabulous thing!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

It seems the 7800 group is more susceptible to this misfiring issue or it could be that it is an older groupset and that bike owner has had it sitting around too long without being ridden. Thanks for watching.

[@Rideurbikenkma]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad put itbin the stand last night, went through the gears and shifted perfectly. Definitely good to know how to fix it, if it ever does happen. Thanks!!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

@@Rideurbikenkma I’m so happy to have helped ONE person with this video 😁 (Fixie chicks don’t have to worry about these problems 😂) Thanks for watching!

[@Rideurbikenkma]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad OH, I think you have helped more, they just aren't as chatty as I am. My daughter used to say, she was what hipsters aspired to be . Hahahah kids!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

@@Rideurbikenkma but I like chatty - that’s called “engagement” in the analytics 😉

[@LCANB]

Fantastic ...and cheap. Thank you.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

You’re Welcome ! Did it work for you? Thanks for watching please consider subscribing

[@VisionTalks]

this was just the advice I needed to find tonight, thank you!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

You’re Welcome and thank you for watching!

[@Dischoir]

Love your hair! :) And your advice of course. I came here to see what the difference in the shifters bodies would be in comparison to my 7700, because i am lokking for new hoods and only can find ones for 7800's. Your video didnt help me with that specifically but i enjoyed every minute of it nontheless!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thanks for watching but there was a huge change in shifter bodies from 7700 to 7800. You have to buy the exact hood for your exact shifter body. Thanks for watching please consider subscribing

[@Aviewerbychance]

Hey, thanks! I am a former pro mountain biker that is getting on the bike again. My road bike has been stored indoors. I pulled it out to put it on my trainer. It wouldn't shift. So today I sprayed some WD 40 in the shifters and it is starting to shift. Going to let it sit overnight and try tomorrow. Hopefully it will work. It's a Fuji team issue with only about 1,000 miles on it. What probably happened is that I washed it and stored it without lubing it up after. Thanks for your video!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Glad I could help! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! Please like and subscribe. Cheers!

[@dalescaringi47]

Thanks George, you just fixed my shifters!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Awesome 🤩 thanks for watching! Please consider subscribing

[@LCANB]

I have tried and it rules . 👍👍👍

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Wonderful news! Thanks for the feedback happy riding

[@brif56]

Thank a lot man, i have two set of these shifters, one is a triple which was the last generation dura ace 7803, love them!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thank You! I appreciate you sharing your experience with us! Please like and subscribe cheers

[@schlappimichael8351]

Made my day!!!! Thanks a lot!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

That’s wonderful! Thanks for watching please consider subscribing

[@FlemmingWiltonHansen]

Hi George, I have the exact same groupset on my Hometrainer bike. Yesterday my cable for the rear changer broke, that little "ball" at the end of the cable broke off and I am affraid that it disappered into the shifter. But maybe it just fell out when I removed the rubber hud. Bottomline my shifter reacts exact as yours in your video, so I will for sure try that fix today 🙂

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thanks for watching please keep me posted. Please consider subscribing.

[@erik7813]

yeah shop told me i need to find a replacement or buy new... i'll try this and hope for best .. thank you

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Please keep us posted!

[@mr.rodriguez3512]

Long time ago, I had the same problem with Shimano RX100 and 600 Ultegra dual shiftersh. The problem seems to be dried grease within time. I managed to partially disassemble, clean and grease the mechanism. Problem solved.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Well done sir! Thanks for watching

[@aliensporebomb]

I had bought a used Serotta bike during the pandemic and the original owner had a flat bar and tiagra thumbshifters. I wanted to convert the bike back to drop bars and proper Dura Ace 7800 shifters so the bar was easy enough to source from Ritchey but sourcing clean used 7800 shifters took a while. But I live in Minnesota where it's winter half of the year or more so sometimes the bike sits. I will use your tip and give it a shot and will report back my findings.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Yes please report back! Thanks for watching please consider subscribing

[@aliensporebomb]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad I am subscribed! Yes, it worked. At first I wasn't having much success so I let it sit to work its way into the mech and sure enough the day after I did this it works perfectly, both front and rear shifters. Thanks for your wonderful tutorials.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

@@aliensporebomb wonderful news!!

[@aliensporebomb]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad You have to wonder how many people dropped major coin on updated groupsets instead of knowing about this.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

@@aliensporebomb so true customers have come to me because of this video telling other shops told them nothing could be done and they needed new components

[@nuggers23]

Got my 1-step lube ordered and tomorrow will test my oldies if this is the case, would be amazing to have them resurrect! Else I will need to throw so much money into new group which I so don't want right before my first baby arrives 😂😂🛐

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Good luck! And congratulations on your new baby!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Let us know how it goes

[@nuggers23]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad​​⁠I am TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY with how easy and immediately it fixed my long-lasting problem!!!!!! ❤ thank you SOOOOOOOOO MUCH! Please let me know if you ever come to Prague - I will be happy to buy you a lunch! 🎉🎉

[@kkkwwwaaakkk]

There is also the Jtek Shiftmate if you cannot salvage the shifter and want to keep as much of the drivetrain

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thank You I was not aware of this product.

[@umaduro]

Tnx!

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Did it work?

[@lionden4]

Nice tutorial! I would like to ask should I release the cable before I clean it and move it around it? Thanks

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thanks for watching! I have never had to do that to get shifters to work. Keep in mind if you don’t have the shifter working enough to move it to the correct gear to insert or remove the cable you’re only going to make things worse with a loose cable in the shifter. I would think you would completely jam the shifter and then you’re screwed. Please consider subscribing

[@lionden4]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad wow! I didn't expect your response the quick! Mine was not going in small chain ring. What I did was change the cable and housing, what drives me crazy is when the bike was on the repair stand, it will shift 100%. No issues but when I ride outside the first 5 km is ok then after that, it's back to same issue. Can go with a big chain ring but not shifting in a small chain ring.😌. I more question if I buy a used shifter how can test if the shifter is good? Not install yet in the bike?. Should I shift the shifter back and forth and should I hear the clicks?. Mine is Dura ace 7801. I appreciate the help! I will subscribe now!

[@stuffgps]

Super

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@williamd9205]

Thanks George but I have Ultegra on my bikes.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

This is not a problem exclusive to Dura-Ace. It’s a problem of all Shimano shifters. Thanks for watching

[@0views372]

Unrelated to the video but, my saddle keeps slipping backwards, I have torqued it to the correct spec. what can I do to prevent this from slipping?

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Is this a carbon rail saddle? Could you use some carbon fiber assembly paste? Do you have the correct rails for a carbon fiber railed saddle? If not carbon do you have a carbon specific clamp and are using an alloy railed saddle?

[@0views372]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad it's a Hylix inline seatpost, the design is like a 3T Doric of years ago, so it's a carbon seatpost with a carbon bottom cradle and some sort of alloy clamp, I'm using an alloy saddle rail. Would carbon fiber paste work for that combination?

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

it definitely wouldn't hurt anything. It has some grit in it to allow you to use lower torque settings when using it with carbon parts. It might work. Please let us know

[@0views372]

Thanks! I'll give that a go and keep you posted! 😁