Shifting problem

[OakLeaf]

You'll need to be turning the crank and the wheel for it to shift. A workstand is really helpful here, but you can find something to hook the top tube or the nose of the saddle on, or have a friend hold the rear of the bike up off the ground for you (I know you've mentioned grip issues, so holding it yourself might not be feasible).

[KnottedYet]

Or you can do what I do: ride, shift, stop and look. ride, shift again, stop and look.

I've tried to hold the bike up and spin the pedals and shift and every dang time I've somehow managed to drop the bike on my own head. It's like magic.

Someday Santa will bring me a repair stand. (and a house, and a dedicated garage just for playing with bikes!)

[withm]

You may be able to use the rack on your car (depending on what rack system you have) to support the bike while you spin the pedals and shift.

Before I got a repair stand, I could set my bike rack up on my deck railing. Enabled me to do a few repairs this way, but the low height made it hard on my back to do anything too involved.

But since this problem only shows up in the middle ring, and she has said she's had the chain come off a few times, I'd check for a worn or bent sprocket on the middle ring. Sight down the middle ring while slowly turning the pedals and make sure that every tooth is aligned.

[Catrin]

The FD behaved better on my ride today - but there were not many hills today so I spent a good amount of time in the big chain. After dinner I will get my rack back on my car and get the bike up there and see what I can see.

Thanks for the advice on how to proceed and at least it will help me discuss it a bit more intelligently with my LBS if I need to later this week. They will be installing/adjusting my new saddle so it will be good timing.

I really hope it isn't a bent sprocket - that sounds expensive The fact remains that whatever the problem is - adjustment or something else - it seems focused on that middle ring. To the best of my memory THIS bike has not fallen over on that side...

Once I move in the fall, I am going to start saving for a work stand. I think it will make everything easier and help to keep that nice new apartment looking nice.

[KnottedYet]

I really hope it isn't a bent sprocket - that sounds expensive

Naw. $20-$25.

[Catrin]

The crank teeth look fine - at least to my inexperienced eye they do.

I did note that for some reason the chain in the middle chain ring does rub the side of the FD quite a lot. I also noticed this happening whether I trimmed it or not. Perhaps it still isn't adjusted quite right?

[KnottedYet]

The crank teeth look fine - at least to my inexperienced eye they do.

I did note that for some reason the chain in the middle chain ring does rub the side of the FD quite a lot. I also noticed this happening whether I trimmed it or not. Perhaps it still isn't adjusted quite right?

Try moving it more. Two smidgens. Three smidgens. Four smidgens. Move the shifter enough that the cage is centered relative to the chain. (trimming it means centering it or at least moving it enough that the chain isn't hitting the side plates of the der cage) Play with it. Move the cage so the chain touches one side, then move the cage so it touches the other side. Get a feel for just how much you can move that cage within the arc around the middle chainring without actually shifting the chain to the next ring.

It's like doing the waltz with your shifter, derailleur, chainrings, and chain. Find their happy place, where they work together and keep the beat.

It could also be that the cage is set at a sharp angle to the chain line where you just can't trim it.

If you can't figure it out and do take it to the LBS, have them show you exactly what is going on and exactly how to fix it. Knowledge is power!