rear mech struggling to shift chain from smallest rings

coyote101

Hi there

I have been indexing my gears as usual but recently, having set as accurately as I possibly can, the gears are really struggling to shift from the smallest rings to bigger rings - I have to hold the gear lever in for a couple of seconds before it will actually catch. The rear mech just doesn't seem to travel far enough to lodge the chain onto the larger gear. When I get up to the rings around the middle, the shifting is then absolutely fine all the way to the biggest ring.

The rear mech did come off on a trip to France and has been knocked about a bit, I was wondering if this is likely to be the problem or if there's something else I can do indexing wise.

Thanks for any advice.

J

Dirtydog11

If the mech or mech hanger are bent/twisted it's likely to cause the problems you describe.

How did it "come off ", did it just fall off or was it ripped off?

Love that description, I was riding along and it "just fell off" Gov, honest.

coyote101

The screw came out and the hanger came off, i had to ride the bike down a mountain tho with the rear mech hanging off, so its very possible some damage was caused! The mech hanger is brand new so its not that, maybe the rear mech itself then?

Dirtydog11

Does it look bent or twisted when viewed from behind?

Do you have another you could try?

coyote101

I don't know if I would be able to tell to be honest! Will have a look tho....

cooldad

Does it move all the way if you move it by hand?

1mancity2

has the cable been lubed recently? mine sticks if not lubed regular.

chemicalviking

had the same problem with my bike after the mech hanger snapped off during a night ride, i just could not re-index the gears. took it to the LBS who confirmed the cable was frayed(sp?) after the replacing of the cable its a sweet as a nut.