Front derailleur adjustment - what have I done wrong ?
Discussion
Advice needed please as I must have done something daft !
Chain rubbing when using top 2 gears in biggest ring on front. Newish bike (7 weeks old) so believe just cable stretch - but tried Barrel adjusters to tighten/loosen cable tension but didn't make any difference, in fact made it worse.
So last night I tried loosening the the pinch bolt that attaches cable to front mech, plan was to adjust a little hoping it would cure problem. How wrong could I be. Cable came off and now deraillier has springed inwards - only just above the smallest chainring, can't adjust and get over bigger chainring.
Chain is in the smallest cog at the back (is this correct when setting up the front derailleur ?)
Reattached cable as tight as possible but mech still only goes over smallest chainring. I can pull out with fingers, but it wont stay there under tension from the cable.
Any tips on what have I done wrong? moving shifter into bigger cog on front chain takes chain off.
Plan to take to LBS, but am keen to learn the error of my ways - have viewed some Youtube vids but still can't work out what caused the issue.
Chain rubbing when using top 2 gears in biggest ring on front. Newish bike (7 weeks old) so believe just cable stretch - but tried Barrel adjusters to tighten/loosen cable tension but didn't make any difference, in fact made it worse.
So last night I tried loosening the the pinch bolt that attaches cable to front mech, plan was to adjust a little hoping it would cure problem. How wrong could I be. Cable came off and now deraillier has springed inwards - only just above the smallest chainring, can't adjust and get over bigger chainring.
Chain is in the smallest cog at the back (is this correct when setting up the front derailleur ?)
Reattached cable as tight as possible but mech still only goes over smallest chainring. I can pull out with fingers, but it wont stay there under tension from the cable.
Any tips on what have I done wrong? moving shifter into bigger cog on front chain takes chain off.
Plan to take to LBS, but am keen to learn the error of my ways - have viewed some Youtube vids but still can't work out what caused the issue.
Firstly, if by biggest gears you mean it's rubbing in 1 and 2 when you're in the biggest ring at front then that's to be expected on most bikes as you generally shouldn't be in the radio of smallest and smallest or biggest and biggest.
When setting up the front mech you should be doing it from the smallest ring at the front. If the front mech is sitting too close to the frame without the cable attached then your lower limit screw is incorrect. You need to screw this in until the mech comes out in line with the smallest ring. This is simple as you can see it move as you screw it. If it isn't moving then you're adjusting the wrong screw.
Once you have the mech in the correct position using the lower limit screw then pull your cable taught and tighten it in. Then shift up to the largest cog at front and try to push the lever further to see if the chain will go over (pedal slowly at this point so you don't risk any damage). If it does go over then your upper limit screw is wrong and will need adjusted in. If you tried to shift into the top ring but it wouldn't go then you need to let the limit screw of a bit.
If you walk around the bike and look at the rear of the mech you'll be able to see the metal plate the limit screws are resting against. (They literally limit the amount of travel the front mech can move). It's actually very with understanding and practice so stick with it or ask the LBS to talk you through how they do it.
ETA: when you tighten the cable make sure the shifter is in the correct position.
When setting up the front mech you should be doing it from the smallest ring at the front. If the front mech is sitting too close to the frame without the cable attached then your lower limit screw is incorrect. You need to screw this in until the mech comes out in line with the smallest ring. This is simple as you can see it move as you screw it. If it isn't moving then you're adjusting the wrong screw.
Once you have the mech in the correct position using the lower limit screw then pull your cable taught and tighten it in. Then shift up to the largest cog at front and try to push the lever further to see if the chain will go over (pedal slowly at this point so you don't risk any damage). If it does go over then your upper limit screw is wrong and will need adjusted in. If you tried to shift into the top ring but it wouldn't go then you need to let the limit screw of a bit.
If you walk around the bike and look at the rear of the mech you'll be able to see the metal plate the limit screws are resting against. (They literally limit the amount of travel the front mech can move). It's actually very with understanding and practice so stick with it or ask the LBS to talk you through how they do it.
ETA: when you tighten the cable make sure the shifter is in the correct position.
Edited by plus5dB on Friday 6th June 13:49
1/ ask your lbs to fit a barrel adjuster onto the cable somewhere near where the cable exits teh shifter, this means you can adjust it over time when it starts to stretch and not worry about it
2/ as per the post below!, thats a good guide. the screws limit the distance the front mech travels, once you get your head around this its pretty easy.
Park tool explain it better than I ever could....
I find getting 20 usable gears pretty hard with 2x10 so god knows what its like on 2x11 bikes. normally i sacrifice getting gears 9 thro 12 as they overlap so my 20 sp bike only every has 16! theres progress for you!!
2/ as per the post below!, thats a good guide. the screws limit the distance the front mech travels, once you get your head around this its pretty easy.
Park tool explain it better than I ever could....
I find getting 20 usable gears pretty hard with 2x10 so god knows what its like on 2x11 bikes. normally i sacrifice getting gears 9 thro 12 as they overlap so my 20 sp bike only every has 16! theres progress for you!!
I spotted a hair line crack in my front cage, unfortunately I'd spent hours messing about and trying various different guides before I found the crack.
So I put a new Shimano jobby on for £35 and it's like a new bike, changes up and down between front rings so smoothly compared to before.
So I put a new Shimano jobby on for £35 and it's like a new bike, changes up and down between front rings so smoothly compared to before.
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