Gears changing by themself, best way to adjust them??

daniel_b

Chaps,

My Marin is 2 years old now, and I have never had to adjust the gears - I kid you not, and it was an internet purchase as well!

Sunday I had a ride out on it, which seemed fine, but as usual, I manage to get a twig stuck in the rear derailleur :roll:

Tuesday i go out again, and it was a bit clunky, couldn;t get top gear to engage - I duly got another twig stuck in the rear jockey wheels :?

I wound the barrel adjuster inwards, which meant I could get top gear, but then the bottom gear would not engage, and anything between 2nd and 4th, meant it would generally hunt around either side, and helpfully change gear for me at random, just what I didn't need...

I then stopped, and undid what I had done, ie wound the barrel adjuster back out, again, I couldn't engage top gear (not a huge problem) and at first the lower gears seemed fine again, but then when I was on the road coming home, and had it under load, it decided to change gear for me whilst going across a busy 2 lane roundabout :evil:

I'm planning to get it up on the workstand this weekend, and I have the Zinn dvd to look at for tips, but just wondered if anyone had any handy hints to pass across.

I think my main Q is do I start with what I have got at the moment, and try and tweak it to work, or do I undo the cable, and start from scratch?

It really narked me off not being able to rely on my gears, and I am desperate to get it fixed - would rather do it myself, as I have the tools, and stand, but if I can't get it spot on, will be forced to take it to my excellent lbs.

Can't be doing with mis-shifting gears, soured what should have been an excellent ride.

If it matters, the bike is Deore throughout, 2006 vintage.

Cheers

Dan

Andy B

Maybe you've bent your gear hanger or mech?

Fresh cables work wonders too.

Blast WD40 (using the straw, which should fit into the outer!) through the outer cables to flush any muck out of them.

daniel_b

Andy_B wrote:

Maybe you've bent your gear hanger or mech?

That is a possibility - if that is the case, does it mean a new rear derailleur?
Assuming I am unable to get the gears set up properly, and it is bent.

Dan

Andy B

Try new cables & a complete reset of the mech first, but if that doesn't work, both the hanger & rear mech are easily replaced, depends on which is bent, usually the hanger takes the strain & bends first

The hanger just needs to be the right one for your bike/year, your local Marin dealer should have one and you might be able to get one online.

The mech, well if it is bent you may as well upgrade whilst you're at it

daniel_b

Andy_B wrote:

The mech, well if it is bent you may as well upgrade whilst you're at it

Cheers Andy, my thought entirely 8)

Never looked into rear mechs to be honest, guess XT/XTR is the way to go?

Dan

Andy B

LX or XT

XTR is good, but not that much better than XT to warrant the extra cash (In my opinion anyway)

daniel_b

Thanks very much Andy.

Dumbass question, but what is the difference/advantages between a long cage or short cage rear mech?

Dan

nicklouse

Daniel B wrote:

Thanks very much Andy.

Dumbass question, but what is the difference/advantages between a long cage or short cage rear mech?

Dan

read http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12546123

daniel_b

Awesome Nick, thankyou, looks like a long cage is required then - assuming I need a new one of course, but at least I know now what may be required.

Dan

Larok

I'd try adjusting it first before looking into replacing anything. The instruction manuals that come with deraillurs etc can b very useful set up help. Maybe you can locate yours on the internet?