Bicycle Mechanics - Adjusting front derailleur height

So the last few times I've tried to attack a problem on my bicycle, I've managed to make a complete mess of things. My previous attempt at bicycle tuning was a front derailer height adjustment. It was too high, so I just sat down at my bike and undid the FD clamp without any preparation. Things didn't turn out too well, the cable was still tensioned and the FD was promply yanked downwards. I had to wheel it in to the LBS to get it working again, but they didn't adjust the derailleur height for me. My friend picked up the bike for me.

What do I need to do before I try and adjust this cursed derailer? Do I need to shift down into a certain gear combo? I'm reading this article http://www.viccycles.co.nz/index.html?Action=Question&ID=99 and wondering if I can just try and follow its instructions. Then again, I've never turned a pair of limit screws in my life, and am a little afraid to try.

All I need is a little confidence, and a set of good instructions for someone who really doesn't know much.

I've got a triple crankset with a Sora front derailer.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=75

This is the best site I have found.

http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/ftderadjust.htm

Another

Sheldon Browns site is also excellent but for a wider variety of stuff. Take your time, have the correct tools ahead of time and you should be fine

Do the initial adjustments with the cable disconnected. Set the height so that it clears the big chainring by ca. 2mm (a penny works good as a spacer) and the angle is parallel to the chainline. Then adjust the limit screws so that it will shift onto the small and large rings but not chain rub the front mech at the limits nor drop off the chain rings (shift manually using your hand on the mech). Next connect the cable and shift to middle chainring, start out with it roughly centered then shift through the rear gears. If you get chain rub at high or low rear cogs adjust further using cable tension.

P.S. the instructions that come with shimano derailer/shifters can also be followed.........

Parktool.com It ought to be a requirement to go there first. Nothing really too hard about adjusting deraillers, just take your time. Good luck.......

Derailleur height and cable tension are not independent variables. Disconnect the cable first.

Al

and make sure that you keep working the front shifter until you get it all the way down into the lowest gear (no more cable comes out when you shift down). Nothing worse than trying to get it all set up and realize that you haven't bottomed out the shifter, so you get to redo some work.

Steve W