Brand new bike - but the chain rubs....?

Tegglington

Afternoon all,

Friday just gone I received my new 2012 specialized sirrus sport. This was done through Halfords C2W scheme, and as the don't stock the bike, it was delivered to me.

now after a weekend of trying the bike out, the chain is rubbing on the front derailler, as I sit on the bike it is rubbing on the left inside of the cage, is this normal for a new bike? should I be riding it? should I try and adjust it myself? and how do I go about adjusting it?

I'm not too sure I can take it to halfords and get them to take a look at it as it was delivered from a leisurelakesbikes.com. This company is based up north, and i'm down south, so a bit of a trek for a rubbing chain.

Just after some advice really, is it anything i should be overly concerned about?

thanks

Warren

gbsahne001

sounds like you just need to adjust the limit screw or cable tension, dependent upon which ring you're in when it's rubbing.

bartimaeus

Look at Park Tools as they have excellent how to guides.

Step one is to set the limit screws. You have two of these on your front derailleur.

One limits how far the derailleur moves outboard - this should be far enough to move the chain to the large chainring and far enough that the large-chainring with small rear sprocket combination does not rub, and not so far that the chain falls off!

The other limits how far inboard the front derailleur will move. This should be far enough to drop the chain on the small chainring, and far enough that the small chainring with big rear sprocket combination does not rub, and again not so far that the chain comes off.

You then need to adjust the cable tension so that when the chain is set on the middle ring the derailleur is in the right place... this is done with the 'barrel adjuster' which is where the wire comes out of the shifter on the handlebars, you should be able to see the derailleur move in and out as you turn it.

What you describe is all too familiar - it should not be like that fresh out of the box, but after a couple of weeks use the cables stretch and need minor adjustments. If you don't feel up to this yourself after reading the guide, then try to find a friend who can show you, or get a local bike shop to adjust it.