How To Fix Rapid Fire Shifter - Shimano STX RC - BikemanforU Gear Repair 

Thanks for the video. My chain couldn't go to the big chainring. Bike shop said I had to change the gear lever. Came across your video looking for a replacement lever. Tried your suggestion (though I used WD40), and it worked! It's 3rd August 2023, 9 years after this video was made, and it's still helping people. Thanks again.

Just did this today with my new-to-me 1993 Specialized RockHopper I picked up on Sunday. The rear shifter was in the same state as the one in this video, Thank you!

Dude, thanks for sharing your videos. My bike shop wanted to sell me a new set of shifters/brakes for my 90s Trek. Saw your video... Opened my shifter housing... Cleaned all the gunk and oiled it. Working better than in the past 10 years. Your videos are the best because you use common bikes that the majority of people own, not that fancy stuff most videos show. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

"As long as you're winning more than you're losing you're doing the right thing" Good quote mate!

Update: As suspected. Heat is temporary. As soon as the area cooled down the gumminess was back. Go for WD-40 or brake cleaner (just at the pawl, don’t flood), and then work the pawl around until it travels smoothly. Follow up with lube/tri-flow, as WD-40 is mostly a solvent. Did this on both Shimano M510 3x9 shifters. Back in business. 🤙 -------- It’s been very frustrating. Took the shifter apart (on a Specialized Sirrus Comp 2001) but couldn’t figure out the pawl was sticking. In error, I started messing with the rear derailleur travel, but after watching many vids that shouldn’t be a challenge to adjust again. Looking forward to giving this fix a try, perhaps with a hair dryer first. Much appreciate the diagnosis and guidance.

Thank you very much. Picked up an older MTB at a garage sale (also a GT, lol) , didn't seem to have any miles on it but the rear wouldn't shift. Played with it myself; no luck. Came in and watched your video, opened it back up, can of Brake cleaner with a red straw, exercised the pawl with a pick and now it's working. Thanks again! (gotta go cancel my Amazon order now! LOL)

Thank you so much! Literally the FIRST bike repair I have done on my own and this was exactly my problem! Thank you for breaking it down so easily!

I like your happy attitude man! I guess that makes repairing bad stuff good. Keep on man! Greeting and thanking you from the Philippines. Stay safe.

Hi BikemanforU !! same bike, bought in France in 2000 when I was student. same problem with my stx rc shifter. I was to buy a new shifter and I saw your tuto. It is now working fine!! thanks a lot

With a 25y old bike I attest this works. Was googling for new shifters when this popped up. 10 min job and they work like new. Used a multi spray to clean and some oil to lubricate. Should have known this 10 years ago lol. Thanks 👍

Thank you so much. My 25 years old STX system has had the same problem. I have asked for a fix and they wanted to sell me a complete new gear system. After watching your video it took me 5 minutes to fix using some chain cleaner. Great video.

Perfect timing,... I am having the same issue with my 18 yr old Giant... Of course it was in non use for several of those years... but has become my trusted stead this last summer...

Thank you so much. Have a Shimano ST EF51L front shifter that would not shift up. It sat outside for a few years, including winters with snow. After watching your video and understanding what was preventing it from shifting, I was able to disassemble the shifter while it was still on the handlebar. Found the spring on the pawl was rusted. After cleaning it up I was able to free it up and get it working. It was a challenge to put the lever that holds the pawl back on so that the spring was in the proper position to return the shifter back to it's proper position with the spring tension. It took me a dozen trys. It would have been a snap with a thin metal tool with a notch to hold the spring in position while putting back in the lever that holds that pawl. It was still quicker and cheaper than bringing the bike to a repair shop or going to the store, buying and putting on a new one.

I've got an 95 Jamis with STX-RC --STI as it turns out and it's been sitting in the garage for a few years. This happened before and I couldn't remember how I remedied it. Now I know. Thanks bikemanforU.

Thanks man. My wifes old Scott bike is working fine again now!

Great channel. I recently turned 50 a few years ago and the other day i was lured into a yard sale by a sign that said "power tool" and after finding i had been the victim of the ole bait and switch i did see an old basic mountain bike leaned against a set of worn out snow tires. I was taking a look at it when the lady in charge said "10 dollars and it's your's". So i bought it and now finding one problem only leads to another. But i've got it down to only a broken shifter. Its a 15 speed and the rear sprocket changer shifter needs to be replace and i've found this channel in the search for tips and watching repairs. Thank again.. ::SUBBED::

Thank You!!! This video saved me a trip to a bike repair shop. A few shots of penetrator/lube spray was all I needed to get it running like new. Winning!

Thanks! My wife's old Giant ATX has been sitting largely unused for 20 years, after trying to find an STX shifter/brake lever online to buy (Here in Australia) I thought - surely I can fix it - hello RU-vid! - yours was the first video and now it's as good as new - Thanks very much.

I suspected this was the issue with a neighbours unit (actually both left and right shifters), but as it had been 10+ years since I vaguely remembered having to do similar 'fixing' on these older style of shifters, I am grateful to have found your video making it crystal clear. Many thanks.

Good dude...Bikeman thank you.. What's that up in the sky?? It's a bird, no it's a plane...No! It's BikeMan in his undershorts!

This was exactly the problem with my 1993 STX 7 speed bike. I just did as you say and the little pawl started to work properly. Good information after all of these years. I guess there’s always going to be some old guy with old kit to fix 😄

Thank you very much for this video and guidance! My otherwise perfect condition KHS Descent mountain bike had started this behavior a year or so ago. Your methods combined with some cable tightening have it working like new again!

bikemanforU is the man; helpful, positive with humor.

My man!!! 🙌🏻 I tried to fix my 23-year-old Giant Iguana but was stumped. No matter what I tried it just couldn't access the three largest cogs. When I finally gave up I decided to buy a shiny new Giant Toughroad SLR GX 1 (gravel bike). [Un]fortunately this did the trick. Maybe we can agree to keep this from my wife? 😁

I've been cycling my bike for nearly 2 years without being able to shift up to the biggest fear on my chain ring. When this fault initially raised its ugly head, I could only shift on the 7th push of the lever until one day it decided to drop completely dead. I continued to cycle with the bad shifter thinking that possibly the pawl had worn to a level that it was not able to shift. Ironically, I hand the shifter cover off a few months ago and knew about this technique but discredited it and found a possible loose center bolt. Tightening it by a 1/32 of a turn thought that might have resolved the issue. How wrong I was. Had set my heart on a new shifter but also never got round to looking/ordering one. Today as a last ditch attempt to save my shifter; having read that many people posted online that these shifters are not prone to damage/wear, decided to try the WD-40. Amazed to find it did the trick within 30 secs of the first spray. Thank you so much for saving my almost 20 year old gear shifter! I've tried the gear change on the stand and it works perfect. Taking my bike out for a run tomorrow so I will see how the gear change is but expecting no problems. Cheers Etops

Working with a Shimano ST-EF20 shifter. I took a part shifter before I watched the video. I was afraid that I would not be able to get the springs back on the assembly. That was tricky and eventually that worked out. Got to the cleaning part when both shifting mechanisms were in place and sprayed much Liquid Wrench on the shifter. For a while the top part got stuck but I kept at it - moving the shifters back and forth and then after about 20 minutes all was working. Thank you Sir!

Worked fine on my 25 year old Giant. Thx

I have the exact same GT bike in the video and had the exact same problem. This trick worked perfectly and I was able to sell the bike for $100 more now that is is functioning 100%.

I was about to buy and try and install a new shifter. Your video helped me avoid that. Thanks!

Thank you Bikeman I greatly appreciate your guidance, experience and of course for sharing this with the masses. I’ve just tried to get an old, but hardly used bike with the very same STX shifter, with the identical problem. The bike had not been used for probably the past 15 year and had been hanging up in the garage.. When I decided to have a clear out and sell it the rear derailleur did not want to know anymore. Thanks you’re your assistance it is working just fine now. Many thanks Kevin

thanks very much, gears work a treat again now having sat idle for 8 years until today

Thank you so much Mr.Birk! You're bike video was very helpful. NO! I DO NOT HAVE TO BUY A NEW STI RAPID FIRE SHIFTER!! I just got the bike mechanic bug and started overhauling all of the bikes in my household (3). The 1987 HardRock shifters have been re-animated thanks to you. After checking out your video I did some research and found your story in the Southampton Press. Really great work you are doing for the bike community! Thanks again!

thanks for this video. I have a pair of STX rapid fire shifters and they haven't worked right for a couple of years so I was just using some cheaper ones. I sprayed some white lightning degreaser on them and now they are like new.

Thanks for the video. I ride a 96 Marin mountain bike with the Shimano stx shifters. I used carb cleaner and then some D-40, did the trick.So happy.

Just did this on a 23 year old rapid fire...took a while and used sticky stuff remover...worked a treat, except no matter what I can’t the big cog! Grrr, Cheers

I bought a bike a the flea market for $25. shifters did not work at all, then I watched your tutorial and clean the front derailer shifter,,, and it work!!!!!!!!!! I still have to clean the whole thing thank's for the tutorial bikemanforU.

Very helpful video. I have a slightly different shifter but your expertise helped me fix my shifting problem in about 2 minutes. Thanks!

I figured it was something like this with my Shimano shifters. I just wasn't sure about taking off that cover without giving myself further grief. You showed me just what I wanted to see. Many thanks for the video. Cheers.

Thanks Bikemanforu! I just picked up an old Iron Horse Warrior 3.0 and the shifters appear to be trashed but I will try this first. One of the housings is completely broken from a crash so I may have to replace that one. Thanks again.

Thanks, I saw another vid on same topic but didn't quite get it. This showed it very clearly.

thanks bike man, I had the same problem with my bikes shimano deore shifters, so after watching your video, I took off the covers and sprayed some CRC 556 in there and after a couple of clicks, she was back to normal. such a simple fix. cheers .

Thank you so much! Had the same problem in my 20 years old bike. It has to be good oil too, when you ride near zero (Celsius) temperatures!

Thanks Bikeman4u! I had an issue with a customers bike and this quick fix worked great!

Thank you so much. I was about to order new shifters when I came across your video and i was able to do the same and "fix" them!

I was about to buy a new one, and just a litle bit of wd40 and this video solve the problem. Thank you

I don't have the exact same trigger shifters, but the are part of the same family. You are awesome, thanks for showing how easy it can be. I will do this before I go out for my next ride. Being stuck in the top gear is not fun.

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you. My bike is sorted.

I exposed my stx rapid fires to all kinds of weather. But I always lubed them when it was over. I still have my Bridgestone MB-5. Don't ride it much anylonger. Bought a Trek 5yrs ago. But I still I still love my MB-5

Tank you! Got the exact same shifter and this fixed the problem.

Man i miss this dude !

my neighbor put a bike out for trash so i grabbed it and has similar shifters and not working,i just ordered some friction shifters for 7$ but hey i'll see if i can get the old ones workin! thanks man ,cool vid! you're cool too!

Wow. It’s that easy? Phew and i feared i had to pull a new cable through. ^^ Thank you very much! 🙏

Cheers and thanks from Tokyo. Thanks to your video, I was able to fix one of these shifters just now. Brilliant!

Seeing you were out in the sun taking the video I would suggest the use of a mirror to direct light into the darker spot's,works a treat. I have used it to illuminate down a 40 foot hole to check how much explosive I had in the hole back in 1972. Liked your Video,Many Thanks.

Thanks so much for posting this video. I had the same issue, and your video showed me how to fix it!

Brilliant solved my problem was about to buy a new changer,but works properly now Thanks

Thanks Bikeman, just had both shifters stuck for a customer. Nice work buddy.

This honestly helped me much more an much faster than any other info out there. Thanks!

Thank a lot for your video! My TREK 950 is aged 20 years and hasn't been used for 15 years. Thanks to the internet I know now that I don't have to purchase a new bike to get to work...

You, my friend, are a true legend. Thanks for saving my classic old Marin - Not to mention my quads uphill! And, that was AFTER the bike store told me the shifters were shot.

I've been cycling my bike for nearly 2 years without being able to shift up to the biggest gear on my chain ring. When this fault initially raised its ugly head, I could only shift on the 7th push of the lever until one day it decided to drop completely dead. I continued to cycle with the bad shifter thinking that possibly the pawl had worn to a level that it was not able to shift. Ironically, I hand the shifter cover off a few months ago and knew about this technique but discredited it and found a possible loose center bolt. Tightening it by a 1/32 of a turn thought that might have resolved the issue. How wrong I was. Had set my heart on a new shifter but also never got round to looking for /ordering one. Today as a last ditch attempt to save my shifter; having read that many people posted online that these shifters are not prone to damage/wear, decided to try the WD-40. Amazed to find it did the trick within 30 secs of the first spray. Thank you so much for saving my almost 20 year old gear shifter! I've tried the gear change on the stand and it works perfect. Taking my bike out for a run tomorrow so I will see how the gear change is but expecting no problems. I guess my legs are gonna feel it too! Cheers Etops

Thanks bike man. You are awesome. Just fixed wife’s shifter so her friend could borrow it to ride with her fifth grader in lieu of an end of school party. Bikes been dormant for almost 10 years.

Thank you very much friend for the explanation. I am really very grateful. For a moment I thought I had no fix. Cheers !!

Very helpful video thought it was something broken but I solved the problem Thanks

Thank you! Sorted both shifters in no time!

After watching your video, I was able to quickly and easily fix my shifters. THANK YOU!!! Mostly just sprayed WD40 inside...but it worked like magic!

Finally I did this, had my GT since 1997

Very nice video and you solved the problem very quickly!

This Video did help me too! I hat the same problem .Thank You very much.

I hope this works. I just bought a giant Yukon SE (early 2000s) and took the bike to my local bike shop because the shimano V shifter isn't going up into the largest main gear (#3) they quoted be about $120 and said the shifter is broken. I'm hoping it's only gunked up like your bikes. That would be awesome. It might need some adjusting too but that's what endless quest for knowledge on you tube is for right!? Thanks for the tips. Ride Free!

Great stuff. Was just searching for replacement shifters when I came across this - will give it a try

Thanks buddy, your explanation saved me some money also giving me knowledge!

Thank you so much! Worked like a charm!

Found a discarded mountain bike and this tube got the shifting happening again. Great help.

worked just like a charm ad you said. really helpful video. thanks a lot man. you saved my day.

Thank's for this video, broke out the 18 year old KONA and thought it was adjustments but its just not ratcheting like you showed!

Excellent video! With mine I need to operate the trigger twice to change from 10 to 9, but down from 2 to 3 it might jump to 4. Adjusting the barrel adjuster to cure 10 to 9 will make 2 to 3 worse. I get clicks and noises from the derailleur at times and it might change up on its own sometimes too. Adjustedment only helps for a while. The bike shop has adjusted it a few times for me too. Looking at the jocky wheels the derailleur doesn't always move by the same amount with each shifter click, but fitting a new shimano Optislick cable made no difference. The derailleur seems to be free without undue wear, so I was going for the Sl-4600 Shimano shifter, but now I have seen inside one (your video) I'm not sure if it is that either. It's 2.5 years old. I shall take the back off like you did in your video and have a look today. Those shifters are expensive. Thanks for the instructions!

Terrific video, Bikeman! We miss you! 👍👍

Great video, takes you through all the steps really well.

thanks for this vid, i fixed mine with your info!

Awesome Video. I was stumped but this video fixed it. Saved customer $$$!! Thanks!

Thanks! It was exactly as you said. My older Shimano's are shifter much better.

Awesome! This totally fixed the problem. Thank you!

Thank you so much, you were most helpful.

Bang on, ideally I have the identicle brakes to these so perfect thankyou, worked a treat with wd40!!

Thanks alot.... saved me a trip down to the repair shop :)

Thanks a lot for great tips I’m going to try this on my Trek Y3 YES it works and the bike is good as new thank you again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

thank you! I have the same shifter, this fixed my problem, I was about to buy a new one!

My Alfine rapidfire shifter was slipping on downshifts, jumping from 8th to 1st. Thought something was getting worn out. Nope. A pawl was moving slow just like you showed and needed a dose of methyl ethyl bad stuff. Thanks!

Thank you! Very helpful video. My problem now is solved with WD-40.

Excelent guidance. Thank you!!!

OMG! I have a box full of rapid fire shifters. One set is even the STX-RC. Thanks for the tip! Now where is my cleaner?

Nice and very very helpful video, Thanks.....

This is really good and saved me at least £50 / $70 Many thanks

Nice video. You might want to add some lubrication after doing that or it'll just seize up again in no time.

thx, you saved my shifters ;)

You saved my shifters :) (at least, once I will fix them the way you did) (bike bought in 1997)

Thanks Bike Man, you fixed my bike!

Thanks! Helped me fix my GT

Mine was a real pain; tried brakleen, most types of spray oils but still nothing. Removed the shifter and placed it under a hot water tap for about a minute and it did wonders! Pawl snapped back like new. Then sprayed oil to flush out the water to prevent rust. Just thought if others have the same issue, there is one more thing to try.