Had difficulty with SRAM groupset at S works, spent with the mechanic but finally was able to tune the GS myself

Wheels of Happiness

I had challenges with the SRAM red 10s gs at the S works RB.  First it would not shift to the biggest gear (36t).  I brought the bike to nearby mechanic;  said I need to change the cable:  outer and intter.  Paid him P100.

I brought the bike to the master Mario.  He changed the cable and later recommended that  a cable be brought out from the head set because it crimps the outer and makes the shifting  hard and might damage the interior of the  sti.  He recommended to change the cog to the 26 or 28t and remove the goat link because the larger gear is hard on the RD

I requested Mario while at it to fix the  headset which at times seem to have micro rattling.   Which he did.  He noted the wiggle of the front wheel to which he attributed to busted bearing.   Later on I found out that the QR was not well tightened. Iits OK now

I changed to smaller cog.  But again  it would not shift to the largest  gear (this time 28).  I found out later that I was loosening the wrong limit screw.  For SRAM the low was at the top , and hight was at the bottom.  Then horror of horror, the shifting went down to ontly 4 cogs.   I found out that the outer slipped and the inner cable was loose.   Did some fiddling and got it right.

Now my desire for the electronic gs is not as high anymore.   Because the shifting of the SRAM is now smooth.  Many of those who went electronic are now returning to cable shifters

It is so satisfying to be able to figure out yourself the problems and solving it yourself

How the 6 drops of oil saved me P6,000 (buying a new STI)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 13, 2016

I am very much bothered by my malfunctioning 6700 Ultegra STI.  It was a very new 2nd hand when I bought it 5 years ago from my brother (it came with an FSA carbon crank)  brakes, FD and RD.

The main problem is with left STI (for the FD)  It would shift to the large chain ring.  But shifting down the small chain ring is a sometimes affair. Kailangang timingan.

What were done:

1.  I tried to overhaul it (I opened the guts but found nothing wrong)

2. Ibinababad sa WD 40 at gas.  But nothing much improved.

3.  Looked at the groups selling STI.  I was tempted to buy even 105 STI

But yesterday, I put 3 drops of oil to each of the STI, and lo and behold they worked perfectly again.

Just 6 drops of oil