How to Lubricate Cable Shifters

The shifters on your bicycle use cables to move and control the position of the front and rear derailleurs. The front and rear derailleurs, when moved, push and pull the chain from cog to cog, changing the gears. Over time, these cables and the internals of the shifters may become worn and dry, making it difficult to change gears. Learn how to lubricate your cable shifters and make shifting your bike quick and easy.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle component lubricant
  • Flat screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look behind the right shifter, near the brake lever, for the cable insert screw. Usually this is a small, black plastic screw with a flat notch on the top. Twist the cable insert screw counterclockwise to remove it from the shifter.

    • 2

      Spray a liberal amount of bicycle component lubricant inside the shifter through the cable insert opening. Click the shifter up and down through the gears using the shifter levers. You should notice, as you shift, that the levers become easier to push and pull as the lubricant seeps into the shifter internals.

    • 3

      Spin the cranks of the bike and shift into the largest cog on the rear wheel, using the downshift lever on the right shifter. Pull the upshift lever on the right shifter a number of times without spinning the cranks. This will cause the cable to loosen between the shifter and derailleur.

    • 4

      Pull the cable housing sticking out of the front of the right shifter to expose the cable underneath. Spray a small amount of bicycle component lubricant into the cable housing near the exposed cable to lubricate the inside of the housing. Spin the cranks of the bike forward to tighten the cable and set the housing back in place on the shifter.

    • 5

      Twist the cable insert screw clockwise into place in the cable insert opening behind the shifter. Repeat this procedure to lubricate the left shifter and front derailleur cable, then take your bike out for a test ride to feel the difference a well lubricated shifting system makes to the quality of your ride.