Deore LX shifter not working

sefton1275gt · Apr 19, 2025

I recently bought a Univega mtb (looks unused)

The rear shifter isn't working. There is no resistance at all when I move the levers.

Anyone any ideas off the top of their heads?

I can't

Thanks
Craig

Siish · Apr 19, 2025

Could be muck and grime in the mechanism, a good dose of WD40, may cure it

Siish · Apr 19, 2025

Or too much cable slack to the rear derailleur

winjohn · Apr 19, 2025

Given the unused look of the bike I would guess the grease has gummed up and the pawls inside are stuck and therefore not connecting. Spray in lots of WD40 and keep clicking. Take off covers if necessary but don't attempt a stripdown unless you are seriously commtted!

winjohn · Apr 19, 2025

Could we have a picture of the whole bike please...it looks amazing.

karin · Apr 19, 2025

winjohn said:
Given the unused look of the bike I would guess the grease has gummed up and the pawls inside are stuck and therefore not connecting. Spray in lots of WD40 and keep clicking. Take off covers if necessary but don't attempt a stripdown unless you are seriously commtted!

I second this. Those look mint and shouldn't need a strip down. The plastic housing on those LX shifters never quite fits together properly after dis/reassembly.

sefton1275gt · Apr 19, 2025

S

Thread 'Just picked up this Univega Alpine 5.7 (bike packing base)'

Apr 8, 2025

Looks unused, well built and surprisingly light.

Stem is really long so it feels too low.

The idea is to make a back-packing bike to ride from Inverness to Cape Wrath.

I mistakenly presumed it would have a quill stem to get the position nice, high and comfortable for long days in the saddle.

...so I'm a little worried it will be too aggressive/low on the front (unless a shorter stem helps)

(Something of a bargain too)

sefton1275gt · Apr 19, 2025

The bike looks like it's never been used (no wear on blocks or rims. I wonder if the shifter failed and they never fixed it and thus rode it?

Will try wd.

I suspect paws because I pulled tension on the cable and that didn't do anything while I attempted to change through the gears

sefton1275gt · Apr 19, 2025

Had a good go with WD40 but it's not done anything. Removed the screw and looked inside, there isn't any build up of gunk.

Strange, it's like there is just no cable in there. No resistance at all.

brocklanders023 · Apr 19, 2025

If the other side is working then remove both covers and see what the good one does that the bad doesn't. They can be quite fragile so no reason something hasn't fatigued and snapped off after 30 years. Luckily it'll be cheap to replace.

Deore LX shifter not working

sefton1275gt

Retro Guru

Siish

Siish

winjohn

Senior Retro Guru

winjohn

Senior Retro Guru

karin

Dirt Disciple

sefton1275gt

Retro Guru

Thread 'Just picked up this Univega Alpine 5.7 (bike packing base)'

sefton1275gt

Retro Guru

sefton1275gt

Retro Guru

brocklanders023

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