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Sticky Shifting, Gummy Lube

02.11.2014 by Ray Niekamp // 3 Comments

Loyal Bike Noob readers might remember a post from last summer, when I complained about an inability to shift from the big chainring to the small one. The diagnosis: I sweat too much, and all that sweat dripping off my brow gummed up the pivot points on my front derailleur. My bike mechanic used some penetrating oil to free it up, and I was able to shift down again.

I noticed with the onset of cold weather that the problem is back. Nowhere near as serious as it was in the summer. Now, when I press the finger trigger on the left shifter to go from the big ring to the small one, the trigger moves, but doesn’t engage, and I don’t shift.

It’s chilly. I don’t sweat.

But, I decided to lube the pivot points again and see if it helped. Ever notice how things often work well in the garage, but once you’re out on the road, not so much? Yeah, that’s what happened here.

I’d be out on the road, and just before shifting to the small ring, I would test the trigger. If it met any resistance, I knew it would shift. Most of the time, it didn’t, and I’d have to press it again and again.

I concluded that the lube I used was just too viscous. When I got a bottle of some really light oil, my problem almost went away.

What kind of lube do you prefer? The stuff I had been using is Finish Line Wet. The stuff I switched to is Purple Extreme. I prefer the light stuff for lubing the chain, too, and not just my derailleur. I’ve got a new favorite lube.

It’s supposed to warm up to 78 (25C) here on Saturday, so this might just be a moot point, anyway.

 

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Categories // Cold weather, Maintenance Tags // lube

Comments

  1. Brian says

    February 12, 2014 at 12:05 am

    I like a lubricant called T-9. It’s thin stuff that penetrates well.

    Reply
  2. RamonH says

    February 12, 2014 at 8:22 am

    For derailleurs, brakes, and joints, I use Tri flow superior lubricant. For the chain, in the colder months I tend to use: Phil Wood & Co. Tenacious Oil which is more viscuous. In the hotter months, I use White Lightning.

    Reply
  3. pat says

    February 12, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    boeshield t-9 also.. great stuff!! Use on MTB and Road bike.

    Reply

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