Bicycle Mechanics - Fr.Derailleur or R.Derailleur first?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
azwhelan
04-20-06, 06:47 PM
I just replaced my drivetrain and all I have left to do is the fine tuning. Is it better to do the front or rear derailleur first?

supcom
04-20-06, 07:09 PM
It makes no difference. If one is really bad like the chain rubs against the front derailleur, then do it first. But that would not be "fine tuning".
twahl
04-20-06, 07:11 PM
I generally do the rear first. Start on the small chainring, work the largest rear gear, and go from there. Park Tool web site or Sheldonbrown.com will guide you. I build bikes, so I have a sort of workaround procedure that is a pretty set rythm for me, not sure if my guideance fits in with the experts' thoughts.

Sheldon Brown
04-20-06, 10:17 PM
I just replaced my drivetrain and all I have left to do is the fine tuning. Is it better to do the front or rear derailleur first?

Rear.

The position of the front has no effect on the rear, but the position of the rear does affect the front adjustment.

You need to have the rear shifting full range before you can adjust the front.

See: http://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment for more...

Sheldon "Occasionally Uses Derailers" Brown
SilentShifter
04-21-06, 05:13 AM
Replace the REAR first. That is the one we use the most.
corny
04-21-06, 07:27 AM
Fine tune the rear first - you need the gears adjusted properly to work the front.