Thank you xxNot a great picture, but it looks to me the cable leaves the shifter at an angle, this will inhibit the movement of the inner cable and would contribute to overall stiffness that you describe. You'll need to release the cable at the derailleur end and re-seat the cable outer before re-tightening the cable at the derailleur end. If this funny angle is a result of the cable being too short, you'll need a longer piece of cable outer and a new inner cable too. No clues here about the brake though. You'll need to adjust the derailleur after releasing it, so if you are not a DIY'er, take it to a proper bike shop.
Was working on last ride but now really hard to change gear and gear change noisy and clunky xxWas the gear working OK previously?
It may be the outer snagged on something.
Worth trying to work it back into the lever so it emerges straight.
Doing that might be easier if you put the lever into highest - hardest to pedal - gear.
what he said re cable length ha the bike been lent or caught something that could have snagged the cable and pulled it out?Not a great picture, but it looks to me the cable leaves the shifter at an angle, this will inhibit the movement of the inner cable and would contribute to overall stiffness that you describe. You'll need to release the cable at the derailleur end and re-seat the cable outer before re-tightening the cable at the derailleur end. If this funny angle is a result of the cable being too short, you'll need a longer piece of cable outer and a new inner cable too. No clues here about the brake though. You'll need to adjust the derailleur after releasing it, so if you are not a DIY'er, take it to a proper bike shop.
Prob lent up against fence xwhat he said re cable length ha the bike been lent or caught something that could have snagged the cable and pulled it out?
Should all go back "as was" then.Prob lent up against fence x