Derailleur adjustments

[RoseC]

Can anyone recommend a site with instructions on doing basic adjustments like tweaking the rear derailleur? My bike is currently making a lot of noise when I switch into smaller cogs in back - when I try to go faster. It's also hesitating on certain combinations. I know you're not really supposed to use the smallest cog with the biggest crank and vice versa, but this isn't anything close to the smallest cog.

I'm probably using all the wrong terminology, but hopefully I make sense!

If this isn't something I should attempt on my own, that's good to know, too...but if it's an easy adjustment, I should know how to do it!

[SadieKate]

Have you tried the manufacturer's site? For instance, Shimano provides the instructions for each part.

http://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs/index.jsp

[Zen]

The man you want to see is Sheldon Brown (http://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html)

After having a look at that you can decide whether or not to do it yourself (I hope you can). Good luck!

(simultaneous postings! Thanks SK, I can use that!)

[RoseC]

Thanks...I'll read through Sheldon Brown's article and decide if I think I can handle it!

I didn't think to check out Shimano's site, and that's a good idea, too...though I think the links there are a bit on the technical side for me. Still worth looking at, though!

[SadieKate]

No, they aren't because you just need to pick out the exact model you have and then it will have diagrams that match your derailleur. You don't need to translate Sheldon's pictures to your derailleur. Both are good resources, but look at the Shimano pictures.

[RoseC]

Well...at this point I've determined that the noise I'm hearing is actually the chain rubbing on the outside of the cage by the crankset. It does it when I'm in the big ring up front and/or when I'm in about the smallest half of the cogs in back. I've yet to find an easy fix. *sigh* Even the diagram on Shimano's site doesn't look like what I'm looking at, though I'm sure it's just angle.

It's frustrating...it's gotta be something that's worked loose over the last few weeks and therefore I'd think it isn't tough to correct. I was hoping not to have to go back to the shop yet again!

[Tuckervill]

Make sure your front derailleur is adjusted correctly. There are little screws which will adjust it in or out. Then I would make sure it is positioned correctly on the seat tube, or that the cage is not bent. It should be in perfect plumb with the chain ring. If it got kicked or something, it could be either spun out of alignment at the bracket attached to the seat tube, or the cage could be bent. I find it hard to imagine the cage could be bent on newer derailleurs.

Odd, unidentified noises drive me crazy.

Karen

[RoseC]

I think I've determined that I don't know what I'm doing. Now it's making noise in the back. I have to take it back to the shop. Grrr! I'd like to be able to at least do the simple stuff, but I don't appear capable of anything but messing things up.

Guess a bike ride is out of the question for the evening yet again...and depending on how complex this is, I may have to make an appointment to bring it back for a full tune-up.

The week we have the most beautiful weather we've had all year...this has to happen. Go figger.

[RoseC]

Well, it's fixed - I love my LBS!

Turned out to be a combination of the rear derailleaur (however it's properly spelled) needing a little adjustment, and my not realizing that you can kinda microshift the front derailleur when moving to the largest or smallest cogs in the back. I missed that part of the whole "this is how you shift road bikes" lesson, I guess - oops! Felt a little silly, but now I know, and now my bike is wonderful again.

Didn't get out on a ride tonight, but we're set for the weekend!

[Kalidurga]

Don't feel silly, Rose. I think the "dumb" questions are the ones that get you started learning. Through those, you learn enough to start asking "smart" questions.

So here's my dumb question: The one problem I have with rear derailleur adjustments is that I can never remember which direction to turn the barrel adjuster. If I'm looking at the rear of the bike, does a counter-clockwise turn of the barrel move the derailleur towards the wheel and a clockwise turn move it away from the wheel, or vice versa?

[Zen]

I think I've determined that I don't know what I'm doing.

:D :D How many times we've all been there.

[li10up]

Don't feel silly, Rose. I think the "dumb" questions are the ones that get you started learning. Through those, you learn enough to start asking "smart" questions.

So here's my dumb question: The one problem I have with rear derailleur adjustments is that I can never remember which direction to turn the barrel adjuster. If I'm looking at the rear of the bike, does a counter-clockwise turn of the barrel move the derailleur towards the wheel and a clockwise turn move it away from the wheel, or vice versa?

I know you asked this quite awhile back but I'd thought I'd answer in case you still wanted to know. Turning the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise moves the derailleur/chain towards the wheel and clockwise away from the wheel.

[boy in a kilt]

I have to think long and hard about it. Normally I watch which direction it moves when I turn it.

Hold your right hand out, wrist facing inward. Stick your thumb up in the air like you are hitchhiking. If you turn a screw in the direction of your fingers, your thumb points to which ever way the screw will move. Rotate your wrist 90 degrees counter clockwise and your thumb is now pointing to the direction your derailleur will move.