front derailleur

triggermortis

Hi,
my front derailleur seems to be very lazy shifting onto the smaller rings (sora triple). This morning it wouldn't shift at all but was fine last week when I used it last.
I've sprayed it out with WD40 and plus gas and it seems a little better but not ideal.
I can push it to where it needs to be easily enough, it just seems that the spring isn't man enough or the joints are too full of dirt.
This is my daily commuter bike but I also use it for spins during the days that I work nights when possible and, as Zurich isnt known for its flatness, I would like full use of my gears.
Any ideas?

Cee-Jay-Cee

I remember having the same problem on a MTB years ago, it wouldn't shift to the small front ring. I ended up power hosing the entire bike and especially front derailleur to get all the crud and muck out of it then, dried every off and oiled all moving parts. It worked fine after that.

route66

A gunked up chain can also cause this.

triggermortis

Cleaned the chain, cassette and rings. Sprayed copious amounts of WD40 and plusgas into the FD and it moves now, kind of.
It still needs coaxing by hand if I want the inner granny ring, but I dont use it unless I'm out on a spin and that won't be for a while as I'm on days. I'll keep soaking the FD and see how it goes

bcmf

Is the cable still attached while you are doing all this.