Ultegra shifter problem

[iaintas]

Just a quick question, the main lever support on my rear shifter has disintegrated and is falling off, the plastic looks like it has been sitting in the sun and is breaking apart. I usually keep my bike out of the sun when not ridden, and its a part hidden under the shifter lever. The problem is i cant seem to find a spare part and the bike shops look at me confused when i ask. And say shimano dont stock spare parts for shifters and i will have to buy a new set which is about $350 dollars. Its a plastic part about the size of my thumb, i dont want to buy a whole new lever

Does anyone know if this is replaceable or if there is another option (apart from upgrading to di2 which the wife has put a stop to)

Cheers

[open roader]

These sorts of parts do occasionally come up on fleaBay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shimano-Ulte ... 4d0dd259f4

[QuangVuong]

Which series shifters?

Shimano doesnt have spares, so best bet is to find a broken shifter like above for spares. Or buy a new pair of shifters. Id be interested in your old levers if you decide to upgrade/replace.

[iaintas]

Email sent to shimano, interesting to see if i get a reply. just let them know i will upgrade to a new groupset (SRAM) if it means buying a whole new set of levers (one broken buy 2 option ). I wouldnt be so annoyed if it was a total breakage due to a fault of mine, but for a bit of plastic (probably worth 2cents) to perish and fall off in a $400 shifter is pretty crap IMHO.

[trailgumby]

Which series shifters?

Shimano doesnt have spares, ....

SRAM/Avid are much better with this. For example, you can get seal rebuild kits for their Avid hydraulic brakes. Shimano? Ha!

[RideLikeTheWind]

How hard would it be to make it out of carbon or cast plastic yourself? Just a thought..?

[iaintas]

Shimano called today, they will send a spare part out. Thanks Shimano, persistence pays off

[ball bearing]

Shimano called today, they will send a spare part out. Thanks Shimano, persistence pays off

Would you mind giving us the contact address you sent your email to at Shimano? I tried to contact them using their corporate site email a couple of times and I ever receive an answer.

[iaintas]

Just went to shimano site and the had a contact us, it took about a week for a reply, although I did say I would change to SRAM if it couldn't be resolved.

[Swimbikerunner]

I've had the same problem and I think I've found a solution - epoxy putty.
I just molded myself a new little plastic thing and it works perfectly!
It's grey not black at the moment, but I think I'll paint it.