I'm having shifting issues

How to adjust the derailleur

Keeping your drivetrain and derailleur properly in tune is crucial for smooth and efficient gear shifting. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Prepare your workspace

Start by placing your bike on a stand or flipping it upside down for easy access. Make sure your bike is clean, especially the drivetrain. Check if the derailleur hanger (the part holding the derailleur) is straight, as a bent hanger can cause shifting problems.

Shift the bike into 7th gear and remove the shifter cable from the derailleur's pinch bolt using a 5mm allen wrench.

Adjust the Limit Screws

Limit screws set the range for the derailleur to prevent the chain from falling off the gears.

High Limit Screw (H):

• Shift to the smallest cog (the one closest to the bike frame).
• Look at the derailleur pulley (the small wheel in the derailleur). It should line up with the smallest cog.
• If not, adjust the H screw until they are in line. This stops the derailleur from moving the chain too far out.

Low Limit Screw (L):

• Shift to the largest cog (the one farthest from the bike frame).
• Check if the derailleur pulley lines up with the largest cog.
• If needed, adjust the L screw until they are in line. This stops the chain from going into the spokes.

Set the B-Limit Screw

The B-Limit screw adjusts the gap between the derailleur pulley and the largest cog.

• Shift to the largest cog.
• Check the gap between the derailleur pulley and the largest cog. It should be about 5-6mm.
• Turn the B-screw to adjust this gap. A correct gap ensures smooth shifting across all gears.

Adjust the Indexing

Indexing ensures each click of the shifter moves the chain to the next gear smoothly.

• Shift to the middle cog.
• Use the barrel adjuster (a small knob where the cable enters the derailleur) to fine-tune.
  • If the chain doesn’t shift to a larger cog smoothly, turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise to increase cable tension.
  • If the chain doesn’t shift to a smaller cog smoothly, turn the barrel adjuster clockwise to decrease cable tension.
• Adjust until shifting feels smooth and accurate.

Final Checks

• Shift through all the gears several times to make sure everything works well.
• Recheck the alignment of the derailleur with the cogs in both the smallest and largest gears.
• Ensure the chain doesn’t rub against the derailleur cage.

Why These Steps Are Necessary

• Limit Screws: Prevent the chain from falling off the gears, which can damage your bike or cause an accident.
• B-Screw Adjustment: Keeps the derailleur at the right distance from the cassette, ensuring smooth gear changes.
• Indexing: Aligns the derailleur shifts with the shifter clicks for precise gear changes.

Following these steps helps keep your bike shifting smoothly, making your rides safer and more enjoyable. Regular maintenance ensures a longer life for your bike’s parts and a better cycling experience.