Bicycle Mechanics - Adjusting rear derailleur issue

Hi, I adjusted my rear derailleur according to the Park Tool Website, and then I checked the rear indexing adjustment. I attempted to tighten the rear derailleur cable by loosening the pinch clamp at the rear derailleur, but now after I did that and followed the rest of the instructions, the derailleur won't shift to my lowest (most inward) gear. What exactly did I do wrong and how can I fix this problem? I'm guessing that the cable has too much slack in it. Is that right?

Thanks for your help,

Bailey

I would guess your low limit is off. Back the low out a 1/2 turn and see what happens.

If it shifted into the lowest gear before, then the limit screw is set OK.

After you tightened the cable, did you reset the cable tension and shifting with the rear derailleur's adjusting thimble? Also did you neglect to tighten the cable with the shifter released as far as possible? If it happened to be on the second "click" you will run out of clicks before reaching the lowest gear.

If you say that the limit screws are fine, too much cable tension maybe?

Doubt it... it would be more likely to overshift with too much. Either too little or a limit screw issue most likely.

Too much cable tension would allow shifts into the lowest gear but keep you from shifting into the high (smallest cog) gear. I'm assuming the bike would shift into the lowest gear before you did any work on it so if the limit screw was ok then it's ok now.

Start over.

1. Loosen the cable at the derailleur clamp bolt.

2. Shift the rear shifter to the highest gear setting. Click the release lever (assuming its an STI or Ergo) eight or nine times to be sure it's fully into the last click.

3. Turn the crank to let the chain shift to the smallest cog.

4. Turn the rear derailleur's adjusting barrel fully in (clockwise) then back it out 1 or 1-1/2 turns.

4. Pull the cable snug and reattach it to the derailleur clamp bolt.

5. Attempt to shift one click to the second smallest cog. Adjust the cable tension with the derailleur's adjusting barrel until this 1-2 shift is clean and reliable in both directions. Counterclockwise increases the cable tension, clockwise decreases it.

6. At that point you should be able to shift into all of your cogs. Refine the cable tension if needed but only a small amount should be required. Go 1/4 turn of the adjusting barrel at a time.

If it shifted into the lowest gear before, then the limit screw is set OK.

After you tightened the cable, did you reset the cable tension and shifting with the rear derailleur's adjusting thimble? Also did you neglect to tighten the cable with the shifter released as far as possible? If it happened to be on the second "click" you will run out of clicks before reaching the lowest gear.


I may have neglected to tighten the cable with the shifter released as far as possible, because I run out of "clicks" before I reach the lowest gear. How do I fix this problem? Also, thank you for all of your suggestions so far, I haven't had a chance yet to try them, but I will later today.

I may have neglected to tighten the cable with the shifter released as far as possible, because I run out of "clicks" before I reach the lowest gear. How do I fix this problem? Also, thank you for all of your suggestions so far, I haven't had a chance yet to try them, but I will later today.

Hill Rider's got it.

Thanks Hillrider! I got the problem fixed.