Front derailleur adjustment

edwardmlyte
edwardmlyte Posts: 31
edited April 2011 in Road beginners
Since I got my bike the front derailleur has always been a bit off. It was nearly impossible to get the chain onto the largest (outermost) gear, unless you stopped and manually threaded it on with your fingers. After attempting to adjust the tension its just got worse. The front derailleur now sits perfectly above the middle gear when its set to be on the biggest on the shifter. What do I need to adjust to move the cage so its above the largest gear? The higher and lower adjustment screws don't move the cage enough to force it across. Any derailleur adjustment sites assume you can switch the bike into the highest gear which I can't do at the moment.

Thanks.
Ed

Comments

  • gaddster
    gaddster Posts: 401
    The screws you mention are limit screws and shouldn't be used to fine tune! They basically set the upper and lower limit ie stop it pulling the chain into your BB or off the large cog.

    I'd have a look at this as it explains the process simply.

    http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-front-derailer/
    ARTHUR
    "Hello oh great one"
    LARRY
    "Are you talking to me or my ass?"
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Sounds like you're in need of a shop tune up, or at the very least a friend who knows what he's doing. Asking for help, on a forum, for setting up your drivetrain because you may have done something wrong to it is pretty much impossible. I only say this because you are on the "Road Beginners" forum. Take it to the shop you bought it from. Then buy a good manual on cycling repair and adjustment.
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    that link looks like a very useful website - thanks :-)

Categories