Can't get gears adjusted properly?!

Cyph3rs

Hi all, I've got an Orange Crush AM 2015 and it's great, but getting the gears set up correctly is driving me mental.

The issue seems to be that when I'm using the smallest cog on the rear cassette, the 2nd smallest cog doesn't seem to be 100% true and every 3rd/4th revolution depending on how I'm pedaling it will catch the chain, and drag it up slightly causing the chain to jump, and then fall back down onto the smallest cog. This jump causes me to lose my footing and is INCREDIBLY frustrating.

Now I've messed with the limiter screws and general adjustment for hours, to the point where shifting to the smallest cog pretty much pushes it into the frame, but the 2nd smallest cog still seems to be catching it.

Is there something obvious I'm missing, can someone please help me with this?

cooldad

Either something is bent or you're doing it wrong. Loosen everything off, read Parktools and start again.

Once the limit screws are right, they don't need touching, and are not used for indexing.

Cruddy cables also cause problems, but not generally the way you describe, that sounds like the high limit is wrong.

Cyph3rs

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678731#p19678731]cooldad[/url] wrote:

Either something is bent or you're doing it wrong. Loosen everything off, read Parktools and start again.

Once the limit screws are right, they don't need touching, and are not used for indexing.

Cruddy cables also cause problems, but not generally the way you describe, that sounds like the high limit is wrong.

I've read the parktools page again. And I'm certain I'm doing it correctly. It's just upon close inspection, the 2nd smallest cog definitely doesnt seem to be parallel to the smallest cog while rotating??

P.s the bike is only about a month old.

Chunkers1980

Take the cassette off and make sure it's all seated correctly.

Cyph3rs

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678751#p19678751]Chunkers1980[/url] wrote:

Take the cassette off and make sure it's all seated correctly.

Okay, gear indexing I know how to do, but I've not done this before. Isn't there a specific tool required to do this?

The Rookie

Yes a chain whip and the locknut tool.

It's not uncommon for the smallest cog to be put on without the smallest spline aligned properly which tilts it. Is the second smallest cog parallel to the third smallest or not?

Cyph3rs

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678758#p19678758]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

Yes a chain whip and the locknut tool.

It's not uncommon for the smallest cog to be put on without the smallest spline aligned properly which tilts it. Is the second smallest cog parallel to the third smallest or not?

Ah, maybe I'll just swing it by my LBS.

The 2nd smallest cog is not parallel to the third smallest. It's just randomly on the wonk on its own by the looks of things.

The Rookie

Sounds defective, get it looked at under warranty!

Cyph3rs

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678859#p19678859]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

Sounds defective, get it looked at under warranty!

I spoke to Tredz on the phone (the website I bought the bike from). I explained the issue to them and they're sending me an upgraded cassette free of charge! (Shimano SLX HG81, currently have the Shimano Deore HG62).

I can't stress enough how fantastic the customer service at Tredz is.

The Rookie

That's a decent upgrade, where do you live and you may get a forumite to fit for nowt!

Cyph3rs

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678959#p19678959]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

That's a decent upgrade, where do you live and you may get a forumite to fit for nowt!

I live in Telford, Shropshire. If there's anyone in the vicinity who would be able to help me out obviously I'd pay. There's not much in the way of bike shops around here, at least not that I know of.

buddy_club

I'm just down the road in Newport and would help you out no problem but it will not be for a week or so, alternatively take it into Nova Cycles into Newport and explain to them whats happened, the mechanic in there is a top bloke and he might not even charge you. Or if you can wait a week i'll do it free.