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Need some shimano help. I’ve never liked shimano and my latest shimano shod bike is continuing my dislike. shifting is terrible and need some ideas.
My set up is set start and end points of mech. Clutch off.
Connect cable and pull cable tightish but not too tight.
Index first couple of gears. Then shift to set the bscrew so the line on the rear of the mech lines up with the 51t cog.
Shift back down to 11t and index everything. So it works fine.
Put clutch on and shifting is heavy and feels horrible. And wont drop from the 51t until about 3 clicks of the shifter then drops 3-4 cogs at once. Only way it’ll shift one cog is to unscrew the bscrew so the mech moves closer to cogs and chain fouls final shift to 51t.
I cannot have clutch on with nice shifting or b-screw set properly with nice shifting. And shifting is mediocre at best
Nothings bent and if i put my sunrace 50t on it works better as the b screw is further out.
I’ve had shimano clutch issues on just about every shimano shod bike but i was hoping for more than 3 months before it started on this one!
Any clues or ideas? Sounding like sticky clutch?
Step 1 service clutch
Step 2 check hanger alignment
Step 3 replace shifter inner and outer
Sounds like a shit cable. If it’s not already, fit some SP41 outer cable and a decent inner. I like the Optislick inners bit some don’t due to having had issues with the older Polymer cables.
Clutch will always make shifting a little heavier, but shouldn’t be unpleasant and shouldn’t affect indexing in any way.
Sounds like your clutch needs a service. Also follow the guide in the manual under SGS setup as it says to put it in the 5th or 6th cog from the top and adjust it so it clicks against the next one up then back it off 5 clicks. Obv after all the b screw etc. Mine works a treat after following the steps.
The clutch might need lubricating - be very careful to only put grease where it says to in the manual otherwise you’ll make it worse!
It’s fairly straightforward to take the cover off the clutch mechanism to have a look first of all…
The XT clutch is adjustable - have you tried
1) lubing it (there was a batch that were bad from the factory, and I've needed to lube others)
2) adjusting the clutch tension
Thanks. Will give the servicing clutch a try. Cant say i’ve ever had a shimano manual come with a bike so was of the fit n forget mentality for the clutch!
Evidently far from it. Only 150 miles on it although in fairness it has been fairly biblical water levels on most rides.
I fitted an XT mech to a bike at the April/May and pretty much only rode it in dry conditions. Maybe washed it once. Spent the summer on the e-bike ane when I went back to it in October the clutch was seized onto the bit it's meant to rotate around. Had to scavenge the main mech section from another mech.
I had loads of trouble with 11 speed clutches as well. I prefer shimano gearing to sram but the clutch has definitely introduced an additional (and sometimes time consuming) maintenance task for limited benefits. (and of course Chris Porter argues that actually they have a negative effect on suspension and you shouldn't have them on anyway)
It does say somewhere (unless I dreamed it) that it’s a good idea to operate the clutch lever periodically. I just flick mine off and on again a couple of times whenever I clean it.
Manuals can be found at si.shimano.com. Look for the documentation starting “DM” - stands for Dealer Manual I presume…
Also try moving the cage back and forth by hand with the clutch on and make sure it moves freely..it should be quite stiff though with the clutch on.
Manuals all online at si.shimano.com
Sounds like sticky clutch to me. I've had the same issue with an slx 12 speed mech. It's been fine since a service.
I recognise the heavy shifting issue too. You can always loosen the clutch slightly when you service it. They are very tight from factory.
I sometimes have trouble with a few XT setups failing to downshift from the 51t.
Always happens when it's cold, always solved by cleaning and re greasing the outer of the clutch roller bearing.
It was indeed the clutch. Thanks.
Just regreased and shifting has returned. But 5 rides / 150 ish mls. Thats rubbish. My sram stuff is nowhere near as needy as this.
Riding through east Lancs bog fest doesnt seem to suit shimano. Always needs adjusting and tinkering with whereas my sram is flawless through same slop and bogs.
Think its time to furnish this one with some GX at chain and cassette swap time.