Gear & Shifting Issues

We created this manual to help you diagnose and rectify common problems with your bike's gear system and shifters.  If none of these steps resolve your issue, please send us a message or give us a call and we will be happy to help you.

Gear Problems

Most problems with your gears are due to the shifting cable being too loose or too tight. You can make quick adjustments to the cable's tension by turning the barrel adjuster. The primary barrel adjuster is located where the shifter cable meets the shifter levers. If you are sitting on the bike, turning the wheel away from you will tighten the cable, and turning the wheel towards you will loosen it.

Your bike also contains a secondary barrel adjuster. This can be found at the back of your bike's derailleur, which is connected to the rider's right side of the bike's rear wheel. We recommend using the primary adjuster on the shifting lever first, as it is easy to adjust while you are riding the bike, which provides you with instant feedback. If that adjuster has reached its limit, you can move on to the secondary adjuster by the derailleur. We recommend turning this adjuster only a turn or two, and then seeing how it has effected the bike's shifting ability. If it still needs adjustment, try another turn or two, and then check your progress. Small, incremental adjustments are ideal here.

If this does not fix your problem, it may be time for a tune-up. Other possible issues can be: an old or damaged cable or cable housing, a damaged or dirty chain, damaged or dirty cassette, or a damaged shifting mechanism. You may be able to clean your chain and cassette on your own, but we recommend taking your bike to a professional technician for all of these issues.

Further Troubleshooting

If none of these steps solved your issue, please submit a ticket here and our MOD Support Team will be happy to help you out.