Sloppy shifting

This has to be easy, but I can't figure it out.

Shifting is getting slopping - my feet sometimes make an entire revolution before the chain catches in the next gear. Is there an adjustment someplace that I can tweak?

I'm rather mechanically challenged, but the last bike shop that tuned my bike is worse than me. I wouldn't take a borrowed lawnmower back there.

TIA

Kim

Hi Kim,

There could be a few things that are causing the slipping. Stretched chain, worn chainring teeth or just stretched cables.

For starters, try turning the barrel a few clicks downward. The barrel is located just to the left of the shifter and kind of under it. If I'm wrong, I sure hope someone tells me so! :) That has cured my sloppy shifting issues on a couple of occasions.

Do you have Zinn and the Art of Road/Mountain Bike Maintenance? That's a fantastic book with easy to follow diagrams and directions. Sheldonbrown.com is also a great place to learn from.

Good Luck!
Kristina

You don't say whether it's your front or rear derailleur, but on rear derrailleurs, sometimes if the hanger is bent it can cause problems. This is more likely a MB problem than road...;)

Irulan

It's a road bike. The chain, derailleurs, etc. are OK - it was just sloppy tuning. I imagine the cables are stretched. I'll look for Zinn..etc. It seems like this should be an easy fix...

Dogmama, I've found that the Park Tools site is pretty good for advice on repairs. I particularly like the "clickable" picture of the bike which is useful if you know where the problem is but not what the bits are called! Good luck with the tuning...

sempre