Tufftrax STI Shifters

[dan singh]

I bought this bike featured in the marketplace forum and was most pleased initially. It rode well and was most comfortable. However, after a 15 mile ride the right hand shifter came loose and the left one did not return the chain from the largest chainwheel to the middle - it just dropped staright to the smallest.

On removing the right shifter I found someone had stuck a couple of washers in between the shifter & the mounting, so no wonder it came loose. I took them out, but it didn't work at all after that.

On removing the left hand one to spray it with WD 40 I can't get it to fit back without rotating every time you press it.

Am I missing some parts? It seems these STIs were designed by a moron. The shifter bodies kave 4 locatng pegs but the mounting has their respective sockets in a recess so I can't see how I can align them to engage.

I think I'll just get my grinder and make the mounts flush - if that doesn't work it's going to end up in parts in the for sale section.



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[gerryattrick]

What model are they? The Shimano model no. is usually on the body somewhere. Either that or pictures and I'm sure someone could help.

 

[dan singh]

No markings on the outer plastic, but this is what they look like. Third picture shows the recessed holes.

 

[dan singh]

They are ST M050L - the grinder comes out tomorrow.

 

[brocklanders023]

Every bike I've had with those shifters has had them removed asap, including bitd. They're just not very good. Hack them off and get some Deore Thumbies, they'll look far better on your blue Tufftrax.

 

[dan singh]

They are ST M050Ls which I have now attacked with the angle grinder so the locating pegs engage. Gears seem to work OK now but a road test will prove it.

So, the old Saracen is back on the road but I shall be on the lookout for some replacement shifters as advised.

 

[brocklanders023]

This is the way to go on a blue Tufftrax.

 

[drystonepaul]

I've worked out what the problem was here based on poking around a box of spare STI shifters this afternoon.

Some of the shifters required a spacer as seen to the left of this diagram:

It has four locating pins in exactly the same place as on the shifter body.
Some of the brake levers had a recess like the ones you have into which the pinned spacer fits.
This moves the shifter down whilst also stopping it rotating when pressed.

Other STIs had a removable steel mounting band which could be separated from the brake levers. 200GS for example.
The spacer isn't necessary with this steel band.

I suspect at some point a replacement shifter unit was fitted to your Tufftrax, but the correct spacer was lost, omitted or unavailable.

 

[dan singh]

Haha - well sleuthed!
I had a feeling something was missing as without these spacers the levers will just rotate after being pressed a few times. Some clown has clearly taken them apart and as you say, either lost or simply failed to replace them for some reason.
My temporary butchery of the levers seems to have worked while I source some suitable replacements.