Electronic deraileur

[Kenzo35]

Has anybody installed or considered an electronic deraileur for their rad powerbike?

[John Rose]

  Umm ... Not when it costs 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a whole bike.

[Kenzo35]

Fair point. The main reason I haven?t pulled the trigger on one. Hoping price drops. My stock shifter is too stiff to shift with my thumb, have to use the heal of my hand to change gears.

[inoxa]

Wow my stock one on my Rover 5 is very easy and simple to shift.  You may have one that is defective or maybe the wire is too short or binding on something.  I have never had to adjust mine so I couldn't tell you want to do.

[John Rose]

If it's not a defect of the shifter, what about replacing it with a stem shifter, like this one?

The additional length gives better leverage, and you can fine-tune (via that black knob) the pressure required to move it.

[inoxa]

maybe the cable is binding in the tubing and needs lubrication. I would disconnect the wiring and see if it freely moves.  if not lube it.  if lube doesn't help you have a kink in it some place. It should move freely and easily.