Front derailleur catches chain when back gears changed

GordonFreeman

I have the old style friction gear levers mounted on the bottom frame. When I change back gears I sometimes have to readjust the front as the chain just touches it and makes a sound. Is there a way to adjust the width of the front derailleur?

Twostage

What you are describing is normal. That's why sti shifters have a trim function (apart from the latest SRAM ones that sort of self trim, and the shimano electric which actually do trim the front dr depending on rear gear selection).
If you widen (bend) the front dr cage you will simply make it more difficult to shift as you will have to shift further.

Wirral_paul

Absolutely as Twostage says - completely normal so dont go bending (ruining) your front mech.

Could be worth some careful adjustment with the limit screws however, so set the gap at the highest (large chainring/ small sprocket, and lowest gear (small chainring / largest sprocket) to ensure the gap is 0.5-1.0mm only. Any more and the chain rub will start a bit earlier than need be

migrantwing

I had a similar problem that drove me crazy. In the end, I moved the derailleur cage in a few mm at the rear, and it solved the problem. I've found that some derailleur cages have to be lined up exactly flush in relation to the chainring.