Bicycle Mechanics - Avid Rollamajig's .. what's your opinion?

Hey fellas. I have an 03' BigHit Comp ... it's been a wonderful bike in every aspect for ONE. The rear derailleur's cable is routed down on the Chainstay... creating a massive "loop" above and behind the derailleur.

This provides me with 2 things: A funny looking cable setup, and a rear derailleur that doesn't want to stay in line with its designated cog.

No matter what adjustments I or the bike shop have made have ridden it of this.

Do you think that an Avid Rollamajig would solve my problem?

Please help. Any info is appriciated.

Thanks in advance.

-Matt

It will alleviate some clutter, but I doubt the gadget will fix your shifting...

Is your derailler hanger bent?

The rollamajig will probably make faster shifts and clean up the big loop but the shifting problem sounds like something else is out of wack. I don't know what it is...is that a XT rear d? I have the same rear mech and it's totally bulletproof.
Could also be a bent jockey pulley cage... or just sticky cable housing....

I do think the Avid will improve things for you.

I was having massive problems with my rear derailleur on a Giant NRS-1. All under warranty because of my overall dissatisfaction with the problem - the LBS switched out rear cassettes, hangers, cables and even the derailleur. The wrench finally tried out a rollamagig - it didn't help at all. Even now that the drivetrain is "fixed" - I've still got the rollamagig on the bike and I haven't really noticed any differences in shifting (speed, ease, etc.).

The reason I went for the rollamajig is because the derailleur hanger is NOT bent (had the LBS put the gauge on it), the derailleur is NOT bent, and the jockey wheels are all ok.

I bought the bike right before Christmas... (like 3 days)...

and haven't ridden it a TON. Prolly' put about 30 hours of use or so.. maybe 40 ... but the bike is in prestine condition and hasn't been thrashed.

I'm hoping this'll help.

:beer:

i don't really have a clue (do i ever) but could it be the cables?

I found the rollamajig worked for me. I think it depends if the shifting problem is caused by cable friction or not, and that does look like alot of housing back there. The rollamajig will certainly get rid of the big loop.

I also had problems on my old v-brakes, and replaced the noodle with a roller. Fixed that one too.

Cable stretch will create slack in the cable that can be taken up by the barrel adjuster if the rear der. will not stay put. However another cause for this could be that the housing had frayed and pulling through. The cable will rub on that creating undesirable friction. This can be alleviated by cutting any uneccesary slack out of the housing. Also runnig continuous housing will in some cases create sloppy setups. I am not a Specialized dealer so I am ignorant to the 03 bike you have.
The Avid Rollamajig is a good addition to alleviate the rear loop and does enhance shifting to a degree. I use one with a Suntour XC Pro setup and like it just fine.

Welp. Here's the "after"

:beer:

God ol' mighty does it make a difference.

In response to Bike Colorado and his problem explained above:

I work for a Giant dealer as a head mechanic and on many NRS bikes I have noticed the problem of "Ghost Shifting" especially when under power. After some trial and error I concluded that the frame's seatstays (where the rear derailleur cables are routed) actually bow slightly when you put the power to the pedals. This bowing lets slack into the cable which causes a temporary misshift. This can be remedied by running a full length housing from the rear stop on the top tube down the seatstay with zip ties and into the rear derailleur. The same may be true on this bike although I do not have any experience with this particular model. Might be worth a shot but I would put my money on that housing loop. I have really liked the rollamagigs on my bikes, but there is no substitute for a fresh cable and housing with a good tune up.

-Ryan

yeah. While I was at it, I replaced the rear derailleur shifter cable. I bought a Teflon Coated one, and I put a couple drops of lube down my housing before I installed it. It's super-smooth now.

It shifts BETTER than when I bought the bike.

Nice ride. And we all know red bikes go faster right. ;)

I use a rollamajig on my Cove Stiffee hard tail only because it cleaned up a lot of excess loop slop from the cable stop to the derailluer. And in shortening the housing I believe that it does create a noticable difference in the overall "crispness" of shifting especailly with todays finicky 9 spd set-ups.

I run full length housing from the top tube stop all the way down to the derailluer. I do this on all of my bikes because as far as I'm concerned it helps eliminate dirt and crud from contaminating the inside of the cable housing. Which as we all know leads to poor shifting which is a big pain in the arse. On my Cove it has these neat little brazed on cable clips, that allow you to do this without using zip ties. Ever since I've begun to run full housing like this no matter how mucked up my drivetrains gets, they still shifts w/o problems. And with the winter we've had in T.O. this year, maintenance is the last thing I want to do after riding home from work.

BTW I don't own a red bike. Just paying you a compliment dude. :)

Cheers :beer:

Awesome.

Thanks for the compliments on my ride. She ain't too shabby.

I'd really like to put a Monster T 02' up front, but I'm clean outta $$$ for any mods.

Cove Stiffee eh? How is that rig? I've heard it's pretty bad-ass.

Yup. Full length housing is the shiznit. It keeps the crap out, and keeps it shifting good. Glad to hear that you're enjoying the full length housing. My BH Comp came stock with it.


Ride & Enjoy. :beer:

My bikes are only red when I bleed on 'em...and I know I'm pushing it when they come home "red"...

Ummmm Big Hit? Buddy? Pal? WTF is a cannondale.com chainguard doing on your ride? Freebie I'm hoping? :beer:

:D
Ummmm Big Hit? Buddy? Pal? WTF is a cannondale.com chainguard doing on your ride? Freebie I'm hoping? :D

LOL Raiyn.


I have that on there because the mechanic at my LBS GAVE it to me. We couldn't get ANY Lizard Skins to fit, and I was sicking of having to put new pieces of electrical tape on there. Tubes, and old tires looks too ghetto.. so he GAVE me that for free.

I left the electrical tape on under it too... there's no way the chain's getting to my paint! lol.

(and the reason I can't turn the logo the other way is because the hole(s) for the zip-ties only match up this way.

Oh well. It works. :beer:

AHHHH I see! For my FSR I went to the local Home Despot and bought a section of clear vinyl hose, slit it down one side, and it clipped right on. I put a couple zip ties on just to make sure it wouldn't come off unexpectedly. Works as well or better than neoprene as the tubes wall thickness is around 2mm. Freebies are ALWAYS cool though.

Whoa.

I really like that Clear Tubing idea!

Keeps the bike looking cool, AND it protects it!

Shoot.. I should do that to my downtube to protect the cables! :beer:

Thanks for the friendly advice man!



-Matt

I've got the 5/8" dia stuff on mine protects the top and bottom but doesn't cover the backside (not that it would need to be covered) also protects against heel scuffing.