A release mechanism for releasing a pretensioned shift cable connected to a gear changing mechanism. The release mechanism includes a toothed disk having retention and capture teeth and is nonrotatably connected to a cable spool and a sliding member that includes retention and capture pawls. When the release mechanism is actuated the retention pawl disengages from the toothed disk, the cable spool rotates until the capture pawl engages the toothed disk and when the release mechanism is released the capture pawl disengages the toothed disk and the retention pawl once again engages the toothed disk, resulting in a stepwise release of the shifting cable.