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How to replace a bicycle left or right gear shifter

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BEFORE YOU START
  • This pictorial shows how to mount a bicycle shifter to the steering handlebar. For removing the gear sifter, please procceed in reverse steps from bottom to top.
  • It is shown on a mountain bike (MTB) but the same applies to any other type of bicycle fitted with gear shifters.
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

Diagnosis of a worn bicycle gear shifter and how to fit a new one

This 3-gear shifter that mounts to the left of a bicycle and moves the chain between the front chain wheels suffered excess friction and wear, which resulted in the lever moving alone with no effect on the chain.
It is possible the whole shifter is not genuine, rather a cheap make with a false label.
The fix consists to start buying a gear shifter online, of the exact same type as the one to replace.
This kit comes as a set of two shifters, the one to the left (3 gears) and the one to the right (7 gears) at a reasonable price of around 20$.
Note well how the gear cable is supplied along with the handles as it is factory mounted.
Start by refitting the gear shifter first, and fix it with an allen key over the same marks left by the dismantled shifter.
Insert the rubber sleeve and the handlebar angle and tighten it well.

Refitting the new gear shifter cable

Refit the cable in the sleeves that you had removed and refit the sleeves in their supports as well.
Those are welded to the bicycle frame all along the way up to the gear shift mechanism on top of the chain wheels.
Note well how the steel wire is supplied much longer than needed and make sure not to cut is yet!
First, you need to hold it and pull it out with full force, and this requires the cable to be long.
Second, you should not cut it if you have no crimping end to insert into it. The best is to temporarily loop it and attach it to the frame. You can cut it after you finish the below adjustments and drive your bike to make sure all goes fine.
Make sure of the below positions before proceeding further:
  1. That the 3-gear shift lever is on position 3
  2. That the chain is at the smallest rear wheel (gear 7 in this case)
  3. That the chain sits on the biggest front wheel (gear 3 in this case)
Now have the gear cable pass through its fixing bolt as shown.
With your fingers, pull the front derailleur out (away from the bicycle body) as much as you can while you tighten the small inner Philips screw to the max for keeping the shifter in this position.
Pull the gear cable with your hand with all your possible force and tighten the nut that fixes the gear cable.
Make sure the derailleur does not touch the chain, if it does, repeat the above step until you succeed.
Unscrew the small Philips screw to the max but in a manner that it still holds without the risk of falling.
You may also chek our page for derailleur adjustments.

Refitting the bicycle brake cable

Loosen the bolt that secures the brake cable and push the cable in its sleeve with your hand.
Take out the slotted cable guide screw, fit the cabke end to its seat on the brake handle and have the cable passing through all the slots in each of the gear handle, guide screw etc.
Refit the screw and tighten it by hand. Do not use pliers or any other tools.
Make sure the black sleeve fits well inside its aluminum guide.
Now back to the wheel side, pull the cable out and tighten its holding nut.
Try the brakes prior to going on a ride and adjust if needed.
Finally, do not forget to dismantle completely the worn gear shifter, as it contains a lot of parts that can be stored then used for repairing your bicycle or other items.

You can also buy your bike gear shifters here: