Mountain Biking - My rear derailer is having problems

When I try shifing my RD it basically doesnt do anything.... untill I shift again. Basically, I have to click up or down 2x in order to get it to shift. Sometimes it will shift on 1 click, but mostly it wont. Suggestions?

I am using Deore triggers with a Rapid Rise XT RD. The triggers are about 3 yrs old, but the RD is brand new.

please help :(

Have you cleaned your cables / housing lately? The cable could be sticking a little causing your problem.

I agree.

Do this little test.

Shift into the big cog in the back. Then without pedaling, shift down to slacken the cable tension.

Pull the cable housing out of the frame stops and slide it back and forth. If it's gritty. It's causing you the problems.

You can do this to the piece of housing from the shifter to the frame (usually clean) and then the one around the seat clamp, and the last piece from the chainstay to the rear derailleur. The last one is usually where 90% of the problems occur. (most prone to dirt/water intrusion).

Spray some lube into the housing and slide it back and forth a bit. Wipe down with a clean cloth. Repeat until smooth. If it's too far gone, learn how to replace it, or take it to a shop.

Actually, all the cables are new... I even bought the tefon coated ones(waste, I know). Im totally baffled why it isnt workig well. Do trigger shifters go bad? s there a reason it might not be moving as far as it used to?

You might want to check your derailleur hanger. If it is out of whack you may have to bend it back to alignment.

You might want to check your derailleur hanger. If it is out of whack you may have to bend it back to alignment.


I concur. This happens a lot.

When I try shifing my RD it basically doesnt do anything.... untill I shift again. Basically, I have to click up or down 2x in order to get it to shift. Sometimes it will shift on 1 click, but mostly it wont. Suggestions?

I am using Deore triggers with a Rapid Rise XT RD. The triggers are about 3 yrs old, but the RD is brand new.

please help :(

I have the same problem :(

Last time I checked, my derailer hanger was fine. I recently changed out the my XT rapid rise from my hard tail to my full suspension, and got a new uhh, "regular rise" derailer for my hard tail.

Since then I've had that shifting problem with my hardtail.

Since I have Deore trigger shifters as well, I'm guessing crappy compatibility? I dunno....

I got a new cassette along with the new derailer, too. Maybe that has something to do with it? The old one was 11-32, the new one is 12-34.

Shift into the large ring up front. Shift into the smallest cog in casette. Now loosen the cable pinch bolt and pull on it to get the slack out. Use the barrel adjuster 1/4 turns at a time to fine tune the upshifts. If this doesn't work it is probably bent hanger.
Good luck!

Firstly make sure you hanger is STRAIGHT. If its bent then this is problaby the probelm...if it is straight then:

If your shifters are old, have you considered spraying a can of brake cleaner (it will act as a de-greaser) or degreaser into them? are most likley going to be clogged up with dirt/grit and that will dramatically de-crease performence.

You say you bought new cables...but did you buy new housing?
Housing is WAY more important then cables. Get new housing.

So:
1. Take out cables + housing. Spray de-greaser into shifters through any holes you can find. Then spray LUBE in afterwards.
2. Fit cables, and lube cables (even though they are teflon coated it can't hurt). Install them in new housing.
3. Make SURE that the housing isn't too SHORT in places where 'sharp bends' could occur, as this will de-crease shifting performence.
4. Clean CASSETTE and CHAIN and DERAILLURE for any old gunk etc.
5. PULL and STRETCH the new cables as much as you can (where they run under or on top of the top tube). This will set everything in, compact the housing, stretch the cables BEFORE you adjust the deraillure.

6. Follow Park Tools instructions carefully for setting 1. Limit Screws, and 2. Cable Tension.

You should be good to go!

Here is the link for step number 6.:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=64

Please let us know how you go! Its most likley either bent hanger, clogged up shifters, or bad housing!

:)