Transmission lash - syncing pedal stroke and derailleur

curium

I have a 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport which has a Deore LX rear derailleur (I think).

Sometimes I change gear and my pedal stroke bearly misses a beat, other times I get distinct lash transmitted which can disturb my rhythm slightly.

What can I do to always get a nice smooth gear change that helps maintain my pedal rhythm.

Cheers!

skyd0g

Do you ease-off the pressure on the pedals when you change gear?

Pross

Could be dirty / worn cables causing a delay in the transmission from lever to mech?

jgsi

Changed to a compact.. fitted ultegra cassette and short cage Tiagra rear mech

seamless changes up or down

Headhuunter

I usually ease off a bit when changing gear, even with modern hyperglide systems which are far more able to change gear under pressure. However changing is far smoother with modern systems than it was on my 1st bikes back in the 80s

Nuggs

You need to 'soft pedal' when changing gear so as to replicate a clutch.

gs3

This may sound a little silly but I think you'll find that the smooth shifts occur when you change gear at the point where your left foot is just beginning to apply power i.e. when your left foot is forward. This is down to the placement of the ramps and pins on the cassette and chainrings - I think??

This is not a scientific study, only a personal observation which I first noted when a friend of mine kept 'slipping' gears on his new bike (and yes, the gears were indexed correctly) yet when I jumped on board the gears changed smooth. I would unconciously change gear when left foot forward whereas my colleague was changing with right foot forward.

Give it a try - it may or may not work but what is there to lose?

Have fun.

.

John.T

gs3 wrote:

This may sound a little silly but I think you'll find that the smooth shifts occur when you change gear at the point where your left foot is just beginning to apply power i.e. when your left foot is forward. This is down to the placement of the ramps and pins on the cassette and chainrings - I think??

This is not a scientific study, only a personal observation which I first noted when a friend of mine kept 'slipping' gears on his new bike (and yes, the gears were indexed correctly) yet when I jumped on board the gears changed smooth. I would unconciously change gear when left foot forward whereas my colleague was changing with right foot forward.

Give it a try - it may or may not work but what is there to lose?

Have fun.

.

This should make no difference at all. Most chainsets have 2 sets of ramps, some 3. The cassette is never in a set position to the cranks. It changes with each sprocket and during riding.

skinson

I do tend to agree with John T here! My teg set changes gear smoothly every time regardless of pedal position and, also regardless of pedal pressure.
Dave

gs3

I agree with you both in that the mechanics of my description don't come up to scratch but like I said - my observation isn't in any way scientific but it did seem to make a difference. Maybe it was down to the fact that when the left foot is just about to push down there is a slight loss in chain tension in the transition from pulling up to pushing down and this happens to coincide with the exact position of the ramps to aid in changing gear, I'm not sure (the 'clutch' effect mentioned above)

I think I included changing gears on the cassette in my observation which I didn't intend to do. It is mainly when using the front mech to change chainrings that this works best.

I know it doesn't sound right, but give it a go anyway.

.

John.T

I think I included changing gears on the cassette in my observation which I didn't intend to do. It is mainly when using the front mech to change chainrings that this works best.

The pick up ramps and pegs on the chainring are set so that pick up is done around TDC of the crank so it will happen much easier there. It should not make any difference which foot is passing TDC at the time. Maybe you are weaker in one leg.