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-In 1994, Shimano introduced a new derailleur called the "Light Action Derailleur". This system has a lighter return spring in it, making the shifting much mellower when paired with Shimano's own shifters. When paired with Sram's Grip Shifts, shifting with the Light Action rear derailleurs can be very troublesome. The light action spring might not be strong enough for someone to upshift when the bike is not in top shape. There are a few ways to fix this problem -Install a Bass Worm. It's a rubber tubing that seals the cable end and helps the cable to return. -Install high-end cables. Gore-tex Ride-on cables are teflon lined cables and cable housings that greatly reduce friction and help the cable to return. Slick Whip is a lower price version of these cables. -Lube your cable with a very dry lube; this should reduce friction (do not do this with Goretex Ride-on cables.) -Install a Power Spring. It replaces the light action spring with a much stronger spring. Your shifting should improve a lot, but it is a pain to install for some. -Get a pre-Light Action derailleur. Any Suntour derailleur or pre-1994 Shimano derailleurs should do well. Some added: John Stevenson [johnstev@world.net] -Give up using inferior shifters and switch to RF+ :-) Shimano's 1996 line-up includes a long-arm version of the 105 rear derailleur with a non-Light Action type spring. This may also help solve this problem, though the track record of 105 mechs on MTBs is poor as far as durability is concerned.
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Last Update May 13 2007 @ 00:21 AM