SRAM NX 1x11 wont go into lowest gear (Biggest ring)

MTBDanno

As per the title, I was out riding and somewhere along the way my bike stopped shifting into the lowest gear (biggest ring). I took it into my LBS once before with the same issue and he simply adjusted the tension on the cable.

Theres only one barrel adjuster and its on the handlebars (nothing on the mech), can someone give me some guidance as to the best way of adjusting the cable tension to get the chain up onto that big ring?

TIA

LimitedGarry

I think it's a modern trend for adjusters only being on the shifting levers. The simpler the better, right?
Just turn the adjuster until you're able to shift into the sprocket. After that, check whether you're able to shift across the entire range of the cassette flawlessly. If yes, no more adjustments are needed.

Personally, I do the shifting cables as tight as possible with flawless shifting. So I turn until I can see I've put too much tension on the cable. Then I lower the tension as needed. Might be doesn't make any difference, just the way I'm used to doing it.

JBA

Either use the barrel adjuster to increase the cable tension or, and this probably a good learning exercise, disconnect the cable from the mech, wind in the barrel adjuster on the shifter and index your gears from scratch.
Look on Park Tools and You Tube for tutorial videos.

MTBDanno

I tried adjusting the barrel while I was out and I couldn't get it to shift onto the big ring no matter which way I adjusted it.

Am I correct in saying, barrel tight up against the shifter means the cable is loose and the further away from the shifter, the tighter the cable gets?

surely if it wont shift onto the big ring the cable is too loose?

Also, I tried to index from scratch once before.. and completely fudged my whole set up! hence taking it to the LBS who undid all of my handy work in less than 5 minutes..

JBA

MTBDanno wrote:

surely if it wont shift onto the big ring the cable is too loose?

Also, I tried to index from scratch once before.. and completely fudged my whole set up! hence taking it to the LBS who undid all of my handy work in less than 5 minutes..

That's correct. You need to wind the adjuster out to increase the cable tension.

Indexing shouldn't be difficult. Watch a decent 'how to' video, take your time and don't be scared of it.

MTBDanno

I am scared after the mess I made of it last time (too heavy handed with the limiter screws) I understand the principle, just doesn't seem to work for me when I try and actually adjust them!

I'll stick it on the stand tonight, add some tension and hopefully that will sort it out!

LimitedGarry

Honestly, it's something you gotta struggle with, if it's giving you issues. It's absolutely not difficult or technically demanding by any stretch of imagination, but it is something you should have a slight feel for. After you do it 5 or 10 times successfully, you're going to wonder what the fuzz was all about.

Watch a whole bunch of videos of people doing it (not on pornhub, mind you) and then try it yourself.
Also, a tip I've heard somewhere and use to this day - after disconnecting the cable from the derailleur, shift into the second highest gear by pushing on the derailleur by hand. Then leaving it on the second highest gear, attach the cable using hand-tight level of tension. Takes a bit of practice, but it's a really fast way of getting the tension almost perfect.

Crazyjenkins01

Might be a new cable is required as its stretched beyond its life?

cooldad

Cables don't 'stretch', especially beyond their life, whatever that is.

Simply pull a bit more through the mech and it's shorter. Which would seem obvious.

Start from scratch, loosen everything off, adjust the limit screws until the mech moves between the big and small cog - much easier to do with the chain off. Thread the cable through, making sure the shifter is in the highest gear. Have the barrel adjuster half a turn or so out. Pull the cable tight and fasten it. Should basically be indexed, if not tiny turns of the barrel adjuster - no more than a quarter turn at a time. And think about which way to turn it before you start.

neiltb

if limit screws were good before, you shouldn't need to touch them, check cable for tension.

loosen mech bolt, adjust barrel adjuster to middle of range, chain onto big sprocket with shifter in corresponding position, tighten cable stop when it is adjusted in the right spot, fine tune with barrel adjuster, if you run out of tension, back to middle on adjuster and pull a bit more cable.