Bike Help Needed

[steven mobley]

I just got a "great" deal on a touring bike, a Trek 520. The bike is in "as new" condition and the original owner said he only rode it about 300 miles before his heart attack caused him to park it for 12 years. It's beautiful! The only problem is the STI shifters don't appear to be working at all. It's as if the cables (which look new and appear hooked up) are not attached? It has to be something simple, but I'm not familiar at all with these type of shifters.

Anyone out there able to help me before I end up burning more fossil fuel
and creating a bigger carbon footprint by driving into town to a bikeshop? Anyone?

Your Neighbor, and fellow cyclist,
Steve Mobley 354-8633 or 606-1604

[Wilbur]

Here's some ideas, including the good ol' "drown them in WD-40"

sti shifter problems [Archive] - Bike Forums

[walkthedog]

If it were me, I would take it to American River Bike shop on Folsom and La Riviera. For about $60 they will tune, adjust and evaluate the bike. It is probably a 15 or 18 speed and you really need to balance the shifters together. It takes practice. I applaud your trying to minimize your footprint but sometimes you have to punt.

[RanchHQ]

Proof!

Bicycles cause Heart Attacks!

[feistylady]

Ranch, I sure hope NOT because I'm back on mine to go from home to the Safety Center!!! I'm surprised that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be since I haven't hardly ridden my bike since it got cold and rainy. Yes, I'm doing my part to lessen my "footprint" on this earth, and hopefully reduce the size of my waist line as well!!!

[RanchHQ]

Yeah, well you are a Spring Chicken.

When ya get as aged as me and Mobley ya need to be careful.

I haven't ridden a bicycle in 30 years and I have never had a Heart Attack.

I ride a big ol' 4-wheeler made by John Deere; runs on diesel fuel.

I guess 'tween your Saving the Planet and my leaving the "Carbon Footprint" of Big Foot things about even out.

P.S. I walk to work, does that count?

[steven mobley]

I got impatient and took it into Bob's Cyclery at Sunrise and Fair Oaks Blvd. They sprayed Tri-Flow into the lever areas and 10-15 minutes, and $20 later, all was working properly. Pretty much what Wilbur suggested. Kudos to Wilbur!

Steve