Gear issues please help!

Where are my stabilisers? · March 2008

Hi, I've mucked up my bike by fitting a new wheel set!

I changed the rear wheel and put the chain back on but I can't get the gears going. Now I've been mucking about with the screws trying to get them aligned but all I can do is line up the smallest cog. The chain runs smoothly on the smallest cog but the derailleur wont move across and change down. I fear that i have messed around too much and now don't know where to start. I can manually move the dreailleur into position so I don't think it's broken but as for setting it up so that it will work itself, I'm lost big time!

Can anyone provide my with a step by step guide of which way to get it working or suggest what i'm doing wrong? I'd like to fix it myself so any help would be good, otherwise i'll be off to the bike shop on Monday for them to sort it out :oops:

Where are my stabilisers? · March 2008

it'd a shimano deore by the way

supersonic · March 2008

Is it the same cassette?

Sounds like you need a guide - try Park Tools.

Where are my stabilisers? · March 2008

Yeah, it's the same cassette and all. I'm pretty sure i put it back on ok because the grooves would only let me put it on one way. Perhaps the front derailleur needs adjusting too and that's why it wont work. i'll check out parktools, but i think a trip to the bike shop may be required sadly!

supersonic · March 2008

They can be fiddly to set up - need to check the cable runs smoothly, and the mech hanger isnt bent. Then follow through the instructions on the page. Have a go first, then post back!

Where are my stabilisers? · March 2008

ok thanks i'll check it out and see how i get on. have to go to work now though so the tools have gone away for the day. tomorrow i'll be back on it!

allthegearnoidea · March 2008

i tend to on my bikes set up the rear mech without using the adjustment screws unless absolutely needed, as such the screw closest to the cassette is very loose and doesnt do anything, the other screw has light tension on it to bring the cogs inline with the gears,

if your top screw is in tight then chances are the mech wont be able to move up the cassette!

Park tools will be a lot better at explaining it than me though i bet!;)

stumpyjon · March 2008

Sounds like you've mucked up the end stop positions, these screws only mark the maximum travel for the mech. Undo them both (remove them if you want) then play with the barrel adjuster on either the shifter or rear mech to get the derailleur cogs lined up with sprockets. Once that's done then you can set you limit stops using aforementionned screws to limit how far the mech moves stopping it from pushing the chain into the spokes or frame. The positioning of the mech below the sprockets is controlled by the indexing of the shifter, not the mech.

If I've misunderstood your post apologies :oops: but it does seem a lot of people think the limit screws somehow set the mech position :?:

Just a suggestion but don't mess with the front mech, it shouldn't have any bearing on how the rear one shifts.

luke2792 · March 2008

this link shows you exactly how to adjust a rear derailleur http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-rear-derailleur/

or you could use parktools http://parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=64

hope these help

gthang · March 2008

http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-rear-derailleur/

That is a good website! thanks for posting the link

Where are my stabilisers? · March 2008

Thanks for everyones advice, after looking at these guides I have managed to sort out the problem

! Less messing around with the little screws and a little more attention payed to the cable and it's all sorted! I don't think much adjusting was required at all after mounting the new wheel, it was just the fact that the cable had come out of place and I hadn't put it back properly and so the tension wasn't right - durr! Oh well i'll know for next time!

Phew, I thought i'd really messed it up :oops: - Now I can go riding again

Gear issues please help!

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