Preferred solvent/lube for STI shifters

[Ralph Barone]

I've got an STI shifter that was a bit sticky (shifting down on the
front from either the middle or large chainring would dump me right down
to the small chainring). I sprayed a number of solvents and lubricants
into the shifter and it's almost behaving how. However, before I attack
it again, I would like to know what the preferred solvents (for removing
previous gunk) and lubricants are for STI shifters. I would hate to use
something that would end up dissolving some minuscule, but essential
internal component, or just jam the whole works up. Thanks.

[Michael Press]

In article <invalid-7D2CF2.21203117072011@shawnews>,
Ralph Barone <invalid@not_real.ca> wrote:

LPS-2 is my choice. Other such high grade
penetrating lubricants are good. WD40 is not one of them.
Manufacturers of mechanisms and formulations in a can
are good about being compatible.

--
Michael Press

[thirty-six]

Use a silicone spray, it's safe on any plastics that may be in there
and doesn't gum or suck dust.

[Frank Krygowski]

On Jul 18, 1:40 am, Phil W Lee <p...@lee-family.me.uk> wrote:
> Ralph Barone <invalid@not_real.ca> considered Sun, 17 Jul 2011

> I'd replace the cable inners as a first line of attack on a sticky
> shifter.  You may find a few strands broken inside the shifter body
> are causing the problem, and getting the bits out if it fails
> completely can be a total sod of a job.

I second the cable idea, unless you replaced inner cables quite
recently. It may or may not be the cause, but if it does break in
there, you'll hate it.

As to lubricants: In my experience, WD-40 is fine as a flush. After
that, I think any light oily lubricant will do. Feel free to use the
DuPont stuff with teflon in it, if you like; it seems as good as any.
If you stay away from things like acetone or carburetor cleaner,
you're very unlikely to dissolve anything. Shimano does expect you to
lubricate it, after all.

- Frank Krygowski

[AMuzi]

I don't know but we've had best results with Super Lubricant:
http://max-professional.com/lubricants/super_lubricant.htm

Hey! There's a steel Tourney derailleur on the web page!
Gotta be good!

Seriously just about any similar product, useless for actual
lubrication, works fine for extending STi one more season.

--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[thirty-six]

On Jul 18, 8:00 pm, AMuzi <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

> I don't know but we've had best results with Super Lubricant:http://max-professional.com/lubricants/super_lubricant.htm

Yes, that's a silicone base lubricant. Should be able to pick up
something easily at less than half that price, I wouldn't go looking
for a specific brand but grab whatever's locally available. Squirt it
down the cables as well.

>
> Hey! There's a steel Tourney derailleur on the web page!
> Gotta be good!

One could say there's more than a little advantage in using a
derailleur that can be succesfully lubricated by piss.

>
> Seriously just about any similar product, useless for actual
> lubrication, works fine for extending STi one more season.

At least.