|
|
|
Shifting Woes? |
|
|
|
Written by Wally Wallace
|
|
Monday, 25 April 2005 |
Most shifting problems can be traced back to your cables. Tension is the biggest culpret and next on the list are rust, dirt, and grime. If your bike is new or has just had a new cable installed and you are having trouble shifting to the easier gears chances are you are dealing with cable stretch. If this is the case you are in luck,
generally a quick turn of the barrell adjuster on the derailleur will take care of it. For this adjustment you won't need to touch the limit screws (the small screws labeled H and L on the back of the derailleur). Start by turning the barrel adjuster half a turn counter clockwise to add tension to the cable. This will help your derailleur shift up to the easier gears. Continue with this until your upshifts are smooth, never turning more than a half turn at a time.
If you are having trouble shifting down the cassette to the harder gears there may be other issues to contend with. You can start by turning the barrell adjuster on the rear derailleur clockwise a half turn. This will take some tension from the cable alowing the derailleur to move down the cogs easier. If this is not helping or if your upshifts start to suffer you probably need a new cable and possibly housing. Time to load up and head for your local bike shop, or the experienced mechanic can purchase a cable and housing set and install it themselves.
Other items that may affect shifting performance include derailleur hanger alignment, chain and cog wear, derailleur pulley and bushing wear, and several others. If your shifting can't be aided by the barrel adjuster tricks you should have your local shop take a look, and tell them Bikeman sent you.
Check back on a complete derailleur adjustment and cable assembly article soon. |
|
|
|
|
