3 speed gear shifter stuck in 3rd

[fletch641]

Hi there, my shifter is stuck in 3rd, I can change to second and with effort, 1st. But it doesn't lock there, and with little effort it flicks back to third. It seems the latch holding the it into 2nd or 1st doesn't go down enough. I don't know enough to know how to fix & have looked a lot online already. Gear changes still interact with the hub. Cleaned with WD40. I wondered if I should take it apart but couldn't figure out a way to do so.

It's a bike I've had in storage for a long time, it's a hybrid build, nice colour and would love to get it on the road.

Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance!

 

[classic33]

Your issue may lie at the other end of the cable, with the barrel adjuster. But, just in case it's not, and you feel it's worth it, have a look at
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2017/08/sturmey-archer-3-and-4-speed-shifter.html?m=1
For some idea of what you might need to do.

 

[Paulus]

I would concur with @classic33 above.
The trigger shifter doesn't have any springs in it, the tension is at the hub end.
Either a new cable, and or a good clean and lube followed by adjustment might help the situation.

 

[lenfield]

Check the cable adjustment first.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/sturmey-archer/adj.html

However judging by the second picture the shifter casing has become flared, both sides should be parallel. It will stop the trigger locking in position. I've fixed this in the past by using a pair of mole-grips to flatten the casing again.

 

[FrankCrank]

The trigger shifter pictured is not an original Sturmey Archer one. Yours looks like the copy type that are readily available on a famous auction site. They are known to be inferior, and you having issues with it comes as no surprise. An original new one will cost little more than the copy, and you will then have a well engineered part that is proven to be bombproof and reliable.

 

[fletch641]

Your issue may lie at the other end of the cable, with the barrel adjuster. But, just in case it's not, and you feel it's worth it, have a look at
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2017/08/sturmey-archer-3-and-4-speed-shifter.html?m=1
For some idea of what you might need to do.

Your issue may lie at the other end of the cable, with the barrel adjuster. But, just in case it's not, and you feel it's worth it, have a look at
https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2017/08/sturmey-archer-3-and-4-speed-shifter.html?m=1
For some idea of what you might need to do.

Thank you, Classic! That's helpful, & based on some other comments I think I'll buy a new shifter also.

 

[fletch641]

I would concur with @classic33 above.
The trigger shifter doesn't have any springs in it, the tension is at the hub end.
Either a new cable, and or a good clean and lube followed by adjustment might help the situation.

Thank you for that, proper clean & a new shifter I reckon from the comments, hopefully that means £100 saved from a service!

 

[fletch641]

Check the cable adjustment first.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/sturmey-archer/adj.html

However judging by the second picture the shifter casing has become flared, both sides should be parallel. It will stop the trigger locking in position. I've fixed this in the past by using a pair of mole-grips to flatten the casing again.

That's really helpful, I'll try the mole grips as it does feel like the main problem. Thanks again!

 

[fletch641]

The trigger shifter pictured is not an original Sturmey Archer one. Yours looks like the copy type that are readily available on a famous auction site. They are known to be inferior, and you having issues with it comes as no surprise. An original new one will cost little more than the copy, and you will then have a well engineered part that is proven to be bombproof and reliable.

Brilliant, thank you, good to know, probably why it's not lasted that long then!

 

[FrankCrank]

Brilliant, thank you, good to know, probably why it's not lasted that long then!

A while ago I managed to get 4 used SA trigger shifters on said well known auction site, 3 of which were in working order, one can be used as spares. These only cost £15 incl postage, so you can get lucky if you search around