need to adjust rear derailleur...help

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2012-02-29 9:09 AM

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Subject: need to adjust rear derailleur...help

My bike is pretty new.  I bought it in November and have been riding it almost 100% inside on the trainer.  I've only ridden it outside twice.  Anyway, that's irrelevant.  I think I need to make a slight adjustment to my rear derailleur but I'm not sure how and don't want to mess it up.

The problem is that the chain jumps back and forth between two gears near the largest (circumference) gear in the back.  If the biggest one is number 10, this is between 7 and 8.  I can get the bike in every gear though.  If I go all the way down to the smallest circumference gear, I can get to it, but when I pull up one gear, the chain does not move although I see the derailleur move.  I have to move the shifter twice to go from the smallest gear to the next smallest gear.

Does this sound like something that is easy to adjust?



Edited by michael_runs 2012-02-29 9:10 AM

2012-02-29 9:12 AM
in reply to: #4072455

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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help

you should be able to adjust it with the barrell adjuster where the cable enters the rear derailleur.  Turn it counter clockwise till the bike stops ghost shifting, it is normal for cables to stretch and for you to have to adjust it a bit.  Then go up and down gears to make sure it shifts smoothly.

 

2012-02-29 9:15 AM
in reply to: #4072455

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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
What Rudy said. There are some video's on Parktool.com (and youtube I'm sure) on rear derailleur adjustment if you would like/need a visual.
2012-02-29 10:12 AM
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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
Rudedog55 - 2012-02-29 9:12 AM

you should be able to adjust it with the barrell adjuster where the cable enters the rear derailleur.  Turn it counter clockwise till the bike stops ghost shifting, it is normal for cables to stretch and for you to have to adjust it a bit.  Then go up and down gears to make sure it shifts smoothly.

 

Based on my description of the problem above, about how much should I turn the barrell adjuster to start out with?  Are we talking 1 rotation or are we talking 10 rotations?  I don't think mine is too out of whack so I wouldn't think it needs much adjustment.  I just don't know what is alot and what is a little.

2012-02-29 10:26 AM
in reply to: #4072665

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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
keep clicking till the shifting smoothes out, go 1 click or 2 clicks at a time.  It might be 2 clicks out, it might be 5-6 clicks out.
2012-02-29 10:28 AM
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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help

Rudedog55 - 2012-02-29 10:26 AM keep clicking till the shifting smoothes out, go 1 click or 2 clicks at a time.  It might be 2 clicks out, it might be 5-6 clicks out.

Will the barrell adjuster click?  Or do you mean rotations?

2012-02-29 10:29 AM
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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
michael_runs - 2012-02-29 11:12 AM
Rudedog55 - 2012-02-29 9:12 AM

you should be able to adjust it with the barrell adjuster where the cable enters the rear derailleur.  Turn it counter clockwise till the bike stops ghost shifting, it is normal for cables to stretch and for you to have to adjust it a bit.  Then go up and down gears to make sure it shifts smoothly.

 

Based on my description of the problem above, about how much should I turn the barrell adjuster to start out with?  Are we talking 1 rotation or are we talking 10 rotations?  I don't think mine is too out of whack so I wouldn't think it needs much adjustment.  I just don't know what is alot and what is a little.

1/4 of a clock face worth of turning at a time.

2012-02-29 10:32 AM
in reply to: #4072711

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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help

I would also remove the tension from the rear wheel so you can turn the pedal by hand as you turn the barrel.  No guessing that way.  When it's right, it will be obvious.

2012-02-29 10:34 AM
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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
svennn - 2012-02-29 10:32 AM

I would also remove the tension from the rear wheel so you can turn the pedal by hand as you turn the barrel.  No guessing that way.  When it's right, it will be obvious.

So I'm turning the pedal with one hand, turning the barrel adjuster with the other hand, but don't I need to shift to know it is working all the way up and down my gear set?  Or are you talking about putting it where it jumps back and forth and then do this?

2012-02-29 10:55 AM
in reply to: #4072455

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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
There are several great videos on youtube for adjust the rear derailleur. I would watch several of them and then take a stab at it yourself.
2012-02-29 11:20 AM
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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
michael_runs - 2012-02-29 9:09 AM

My bike is pretty new.  I bought it in November and have been riding it almost 100% inside on the trainer.  I've only ridden it outside twice.  Anyway, that's irrelevant.  I think I need to make a slight adjustment to my rear derailleur but I'm not sure how and don't want to mess it up.

The problem is that the chain jumps back and forth between two gears near the largest (circumference) gear in the back.  If the biggest one is number 10, this is between 7 and 8.  I can get the bike in every gear though.  If I go all the way down to the smallest circumference gear, I can get to it, but when I pull up one gear, the chain does not move although I see the derailleur move.  I have to move the shifter twice to go from the smallest gear to the next smallest gear.

Does this sound like something that is easy to adjust?

If you bought your bike from a LBS, they should have included a free "30-day" or so tune up with the bike.  This is because new cables stretch and required adjustment after riding the bike for the first month or so.  If so, did you take your bike back to the LBS for a free tune up?  Do it if you haven't yet... they will check everything out and adjust things that you may not have noticed require adjusting.  don't pass up free.

 

2012-02-29 11:23 AM
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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
Youtube and this: http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-BBB-2-Bicycle-Repair/dp/B001B6NAW2/... And that's awesome that you want to learn! If you have free tune ups, grab a red bull/coffee/monster for the tech, and hang over his/her shoulder. You can learn lots of good tricks that way.

Edited by ironultrared 2012-02-29 11:27 AM
2012-02-29 12:10 PM
in reply to: #4072730

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Subject: RE: need to adjust rear derailleur...help
michael_runs - 2012-02-29 10:34 AM
svennn - 2012-02-29 10:32 AM

I would also remove the tension from the rear wheel so you can turn the pedal by hand as you turn the barrel.  No guessing that way.  When it's right, it will be obvious.

So I'm turning the pedal with one hand, turning the barrel adjuster with the other hand, but don't I need to shift to know it is working all the way up and down my gear set?  Or are you talking about putting it where it jumps back and forth and then do this?

Put it where it's jumping and get that area straightened out. Then shift up and down the full range to make sure everything still works.

The 'click' of the barrel adjuster isn't necessarily a hard sound. You'll feel it moving over a bump, maybe a 1/4 turn at a time. Get the feel of this first by going back and for 1-2 clicks. Just take things slow.

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