Shifting problem

[Catrin]

Oakleaf -

I followed your directions and noted a good amount of slack in the cable on the FD side of the bike. The OTHER side was even looser but I left it alone. When I had removed the noise in the first step I cross-chained it in the granny gear and did not notice any noise.

Then I shifted into the big gear and found that the cable was looser and rubbing the FD so am continuing to tighten it. The other cable is now more taut than the one on the DR side and I cannot seem to get the cable tighter than it is. Indeed, even with a lot of tightening it does not seem to be significantly tighter - though the cable on the other side is. Does that make sense?

I will have the guys at my LBS check it Friday when I pick up my new saddle

[OakLeaf]

Um.

What's the second cable?

The one I was talking about was the one in the pictures on this page.

It's possible your high limit screw is too close, keeping your FD from moving as far from the frame as it needs to when you're in the big ring, if tightening the cable isn't having any effect on that end. I wouldn't have expected the LBS to get that wrong, but it's possible. The page I linked to also has instructions for setting the limiter screws. It's also possible that you're at the limit of your barrel adjuster and you're just turning the loose end inside the housing, in which case the cable will need to be re-positioned in the clamp (again - which would be strange).

Anyway, I think you made progress? and learned something about your bike? and it isn't worse so you can still ride to the LBS? if so, good.

[Catrin]

Um.

What's the second cable?

The one I was talking about was the one in the pictures on this page.

It's possible your high limit screw is too close, keeping your FD from moving as far from the frame as it needs to when you're in the big ring, if tightening the cable isn't having any effect on that end. I wouldn't have expected the LBS to get that wrong, but it's possible. The page I linked to also has instructions for setting the limiter screws. It's also possible that you're at the limit of your barrel adjuster and you're just turning the loose end inside the housing, in which case the cable will need to be re-positioned in the clamp (again - which would be strange).

Anyway, I think you made progress? and learned something about your bike? and it isn't worse so you can still ride to the LBS? if so, good.

Ummm, I thought you were talking about the barrel adjuster on the cable - I have seen them adjust it when dealing with my FD. There are two of these on either side....I only adjusted one of them.

I hope I didn't mess anything up I do tend to forge ahead sometimes - but I am certainly learning more about my bike I think it is better in the granny gear - though not in the middle...my fingers may not be strong enough.

[OakLeaf]

That looks like the correct adjuster (as long as it's the cable that goes to the FD), but I still don't know which other cable you're talking about?

[Catrin]

Um.

What's the second cable?

The one I was talking about was the one in the pictures on this page.

It's possible your high limit screw is too close, keeping your FD from moving as far from the frame as it needs to when you're in the big ring, if tightening the cable isn't having any effect on that end. I wouldn't have expected the LBS to get that wrong, but it's possible. The page I linked to also has instructions for setting the limiter screws. It's also possible that you're at the limit of your barrel adjuster and you're just turning the loose end inside the housing, in which case the cable will need to be re-positioned in the clamp (again - which would be strange).

Anyway, I think you made progress? and learned something about your bike? and it isn't worse so you can still ride to the LBS? if so, good.

That looks like the correct adjuster (as long as it's the cable that goes to the FD), but I still don't know which other cable you're talking about?

I could not seem to get a good shot of both - but there are two barrel adjusters on both sides of the down tube. I assume the other one goes to the RD? It isn't the brakes - that runs under the TT, so the second one MUST go to the RD.

I turned it upside down and that is indeed the case, one cable (and adjuster) per derailleur. I adjusted the wrong one Let's try this again

[Catrin]

I can't move the barrel adjuster for the FD and while it isn't rubbing in the big or small rings, it certainly still is in the middle. I will have my LBS check it out, but surely I should be able to use at least gears 6-8 in the back when I am in the middle. Until the most recent adjustment they had it set so I could actually use all 9 in the middle if I wanted to do so...

You know, this arthritis thing is a pain - though not literally unless my hands get in the wrong position (like with road bars) - it is my grip strength that is most affected and the intense strength training I've done this year has made no changes in that dept.

Would love to ride tonight to see if it is better - but at 95 degrees I suspect the only bike I will be riding tonight is the spinning bike at my club after my training appointment.

[OakLeaf]

Bummer. Well, hopefully the LBS can show you what was off.

Hijack: Have you been working specifically on grip strength? Most common group fitness classes and weight machines give very little attention to the hands and forearms. I know it's tough with arthritis, but you seem to have been working hard and expecting results that aren't coming. Ask your trainer for some hand exercises if you're not doing them already.