Front derailleur adjustment problems

lef
lef Posts: 728
edited August 2010 in Workshop
I'm having some problems setting up the upper limit on the front derailleur - Taigra groupset. After the bike came back from the absolutely hopeless Evans Cycles (they did some warranty work and played around with the gear settings) there is insufficient adjustment on the upper limit to enable the cage to clear the chain when in large chainring and small sprocket. I've tried releasing the cable and returning the adjustment screws to the centre to allow maximum adjustment, then re-attaching the cable but however I set it up I run out of adjustability at the upper limit. Only need another 1mm or so of adjustment.

Also I keep getting noise from the BB when putting power through the cranks. The shop has sorted it a couple of times but it keeps coming back. Is this just the nature of Tiagra bottom brackets being cheap or could there be another problem? Theres been three bottom brackets on it as a result but the creaking eventually comes back. The bikes was bought in March and its probably had 1500m ridden on it.

Now the obvious suggestion would be to go back to Evans but trust me after the amount of incompetence I've endured over the recent months I wont ever be going back there...but thats another thread!

Comments

  • Weejie54
    Weejie54 Posts: 750
    Before trying things like moving the mech cage etc, is it possible that Evans shifted your chainline - by adding a spacer on the drive side axle for example?
  • bit of grease wouldnt go amiss on the bottom bracket. if its a newish bike, make sure the cups are in tight from the factory.

    without seeing the gears can't say, best off in a bike shop if youre not sure
    Cycle Gear - www.ukbikesdepot.com.
  • lef
    lef Posts: 728
    Weejie54 - cant see a spacer so I doubt it. What would the reason be for installing a spacer?
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    3 BB and it still comes back? I think it has to be something else. Tiagra BB aren't the best but they just don't grind away in a few months. It might be crank/chainring flex you are hearing.

    I'm not sure about your gears, I'd need a pic or see it to comment on.
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • Weejie54
    Weejie54 Posts: 750
    Weejie54 - cant see a spacer so I doubt it. What would the reason be for installing a spacer?

    Perhaps they put a new BB set in wrongly (as they are incompetent)?
    Some Tiagra cranks/BBs have a spacer on the non-drive side.
    Just a thought.
  • If the "H" adjustment screw is fully unscrewed and the original front cage is not clearing the large ring, then the shop must have done something to move the chain-set outwards. Either a slightly longer BB or a washer inserted.With the cable disconnected, pull outwards the Front der and see that the cage outer plate clears the large ring. If it does not then it has to be one of the above options. Cold the BB have been swapped in order to cure the creaking problem?
  • lef
    lef Posts: 728
    Its a fair point it may be the crank / chainset flexing as I do my best to give it a good hammering, which is when the creak noise can be heard. Though when the shops had it back in they have temporarily sorted the creak.

    Well I have the tools to remove the BB so Im going to go into new territory and take a look and maybe slap some grease on.


    As far as the gears I'll guess I'll take it to the LBS and have them have a fiddle...I just much prefer to find things out for myself though I appear to be beaten on this one!