SRAM Shifter Problems

**SKISC** · 07-06-2006, 01:51 PM

I have SRAM X-0 rear deraileur with X-9 Shifters and I am having problems. It likes to shift on its own. On climbs it will shift down to a harder gear and on decents it goes up to an easier gear. I am also having trouble getting some gears. I have adjusted it numerous times but can't seem to fix the problems.

Has anyone else had this happen? Or can someone give me some advice to tryout? Thanks.

**rideit** · 07-06-2006, 01:55 PM

try new cable and housing, and clean everything with degreaser, rubbing alcohol, and a compressor. How old is the derailleur?

**SKISC** · 07-06-2006, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by rideit

try new cable and housing, and clean everything with degreaser, rubbing alcohol, and a compressor. How old is the derailleur?

6 months old. I never had these kinds of trouble with shimano groups and overall I like the SRAM just want to get these bugs worked out.

**pechelman** · 07-06-2006, 01:58 PM

if its a full suspension bike in particular, check to make sure you have the right length cable housings.

**SKISC** · 07-06-2006, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by pechelman

if its a full suspension bike in particular, check to make sure you have the right length cable housings.

It is a full suspension Giant Reign 1. Still got housing from factory. Bought this bike in January.

**Andy_B** · 07-06-2006, 02:03 PM

Sounds like your cable routing is messed up, ie to short or zip tied down to tight in spots... or maybe your derailleur hanger is tweaked.

**pechelman** · 07-06-2006, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by SKISC

It is a full suspension Giant Reign 1. Still got housing from factory. Bought this bike in January.

Well if you bought it at a LBS, you should tell them whats going on and they should just fix it for free. Housing still from the factory, if its not a new bike, then it means its at least 1 year old and could stand a housing replacement anyway. Housing is cheap, so are cables. Goto a store and Im sure they'll be happy to cut you the right length of housing for each location.

Checking the hangar is also a good idea.

**SKISC** · 07-06-2006, 03:00 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to try and pick up new cables and housing on my way home if I can get there before the shop closes. Hope that fixes it.

**Hutch** · 07-06-2006, 03:23 PM

check the cassette for bent cogs...

**p-tex** · 07-06-2006, 04:48 PM

your derailleur hanger is tweaked......most likely cause.

**mntlion** · 07-06-2006, 04:53 PM

check hanger,
check cable routing, with shock in both ends of travel
new cable and housing
clean everything (chain, rings, cassette)

if not bigger hammer.

usually sram works better then shimano, but I think it is somethiing between the shifter and the der, not either of the parts.

**1wsguy** · 07-07-2006, 08:03 AM

Run full length housing from shifter to deraileur, and a new cable.

**phUnk** · 07-07-2006, 08:09 AM

hanger hanger hanger

**loganjo** · 07-09-2007, 12:36 PM

I have the same bike...discovered that due to the short lengths of shift housing the housing ferrules break, causing ghost shifting in both directions...

This seems to be a common problem on the OEM housing which uses plastic ferrules instead of metal ones...

Hope this helps!

**Hutch** · 07-09-2007, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by loganjo

I have the same bike...discovered that due to the short lengths of shift housing the housing ferrules break, causing ghost shifting in both directions...

This seems to be a common problem on the OEM housing which uses plastic ferrules instead of metal ones...

Hope this helps!

Weird bump - I bet he's got it figured out by now.

I was reading the suggestions and then saw my own, from almost exactly a year ago, and thought, how drunk was I on Friday- I don't remember posting that at all.

**PowTron** · 07-09-2007, 12:55 PM

same thing happening on my Ironhorse...I think my derailuer and hanger are tweaked, though. I had full X9/XO on my old bike, and never had the problem. I have full X9 on my new bike, and worked great, till I snapped my hanger and bent my derailuer...c'est le vie, but I still think SRAM is the bitch titties over shimano

**tigerstripe40** · 07-09-2007, 01:55 PM

My brand new transition dirtbags X.9 deraileur does the same thing.
When I am in high gear it likes to jump back and forth between the largest and second largest cog. DRives me NUTS.

On the other hand, my XTR equipped GF bike that I've had for almost 10 years shifts very well and is nice and crisp and I haven't ever had to adjust it...

I am going to take my bikein and see if the problem can't be adjusted out..

If not, I am tossing this SRAM stuff and going Shimano XT..

**SKISC** · 07-09-2007, 02:01 PM

The new housing helped tremendously. My der arm is tweaked just a little as well but the problem pretty much went away with new cables and housing. When I replaced them I did cut the housing a little longer.

I have X0 shifters and der on my hardtail and have never had a problem.

**m1e448** · 07-09-2007, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by tigerstripe40

My brand new transition dirtbags X.9 deraileur does the same thing.
When I am in high gear it likes to jump back and forth between the largest and second largest cog. DRives me NUTS.

On the other hand, my XTR equipped GF bike that I've had for almost 10 years shifts very well and is nice and crisp and I haven't ever had to adjust it...

I am going to take my bikein and see if the problem can't be adjusted out..

If not, I am tossing this SRAM stuff and going Shimano XT..

Check your upper limit. Probably just needs to be loosened a quarter turn or you cable has stretched just a little bit.