2009 Fuji Silhouette Chain problem: HELP!!

[Renae McClung]

I had the same problem but I think I've got it solved.
Is the tail end of the front derailleur a lot higher above the big ring then the front end of the derailleur like the picture below? This is BAD!

[dianne_1234]

Yes, that's a little more gap than typical.

Some of that gap is due to the front derailleur having to also work with larger "standard" chainrings. Not easy to do much about that. I set the front derailleur height per Shimano's service instructions, 2~3mm from the top of the tallest tooth. Service Instructions here:
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830651777.pdf

The rest of that gap is unfortunately due to the front derailleur poking into the frame's slot where it mounts!

SRAM makes a little angled shim that fits between the front derailleur and frame, that tips the tail down a bit and helps improve shifting. Alas, I googled but couldn't find an image of it! My google-fu must be getting weak...

Can you ask at a bike shop if they have the SRAM angled shim? Maybe they'd special order it...

This mismatch is just one of several other factors in shifting the chain onto the frame, but doesn't hurt to address this one too!

[aicabsolut]

I had the same problem but I think I've got it solved.
Is the tail end of the front derailleur a lot higher above the big ring then the front end of the derailleur like the picture below? This is BAD!

I think the entire derailleur was installed too high, and/or the clamp looks to be rotated towards the rear of the bike.

FWIW, I run standard Shimano FDs with compact cranks, and they never flare out that far at the tail end. You should only be able to fit about a penny thickness between the teeth of the big ring and the bottom of the derailleur cage at the front end when the derailleur is shifted to the big ring--just move the derailleur to check this, don't pedal and move the chain. I think it's easiest to see in the trimmed position.

Having the derailleur installed too high will cause a lot of shifting issues.

[Renae McClung]

They call it a washer instead of a shim. I you google sram front derailleur washer you will get a ton of results. Thanks for your lead

http://www.amazon.com/Braze-Front-De...8497594&sr=8-1

[Renae McClung]

The picture was taken after a bad shift so the derailleur has moved. The derailleur was installed with a 2mm gap between the large chain ring and the front of the derailleur. It is impossible to adjust the angle of the tail end of the derailleur without a shim/washer.

Note: The derailleur is a braze on and can not rotate.

[dianne_1234]

Thanks Renee! That is exactly the part I was searching for. Now that I know it's called a washer...

Trying to put an image here:



If the image shows up, you can see (on the edge) that it's tapered. When installed between the derailleur and frame, this taper can correct an angled front derailleur.