Bicycle Mechanics - Newbie Question on Shifting

Hi guys,

Taken my 10-speed Cannondale out for a ride today, and have found that the chain rubs on the FD when riding in any gear higher than the 6th largest cassette gear when on the small chainring. Conversely, the chain does not rub in any gear from 4th largest to largest when using the large chainring.

Ideally it would be good to be able to use the 7 largest in the small chainring, and the 7 smallest in the large chainring - which adjust do I need to make in order for this to be so? I have tried using trim - it doesn't make quite enough difference to stop the rubbing.

I have a hunch but would like it confirmed - you guys are the experts!

Cheers for any help in advance!

James.

Its an easy front derailleur fix

set your chain on the small chain ring, tighten the cable on your shifter (little screw where the cable comes out), and eyeball your chain in the chain guide...it should be in the middle (sounds like it may be a little off centre, probable a little to the right)

If it is off, loosen the cable, pull back on the Derailleur until the chain is centered, then tighten the cable. should be ok...the cable has probably stretched and you will need to re-centre the chain guide

takes 2 minutes

you can also tighten the cable with that little screw on the housing at the front shifter, but i prefer adjusting the cable at the FD so that i still have some room to adjust if the cable stretches a little more

Hi jm01,

Thanks for the tip - will do that shortly! By the 'little screw on the housing at the rear shifter' am I right in thinking thats the black screw-type thing on the cable - if so which way to tighten!?

Also, i think the H-Limit screw for the FD is slightly too loose - could this also be causing the rubbing?

Cheers!

James

Use the trim feature of the shift levers. Feel for a "half-click" that scoots the FD cage over a couple millimeters to stop the rubbing. edit: I see you tried that already. Sounds like your FD needs an adjustment. Either take it back to the shop for a look-at, or hit Park Tool's site for adjustment routine. If you want a quick-&-dirty first suggestion, turn the FD cable adjuster barrel counterclockwise two turns as viewed from the front of the bike and see if that does the trick (in combination with the trim feature, I mean).

Have adjusted the tension at the screw, now with trim can use 7 gears either way - cheers for the help!