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

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