Bicycle Mechanics - Ultegra F/D and Chainrings

I just purchased a brand new 2000 model bike w/Ultegra throughout. As this is my first bike with Shimano integrated shifters & brakes, I would like some guidance.....

Bike has two chainrings. When shifting F/D, I am getting two distinct clicks going each way. And it seems I really have to push a long way to go from small to large. Is this normal? an adjustment issue? Or is it remotely possible that I somewow have a triple F/D set up on a bike with double chain rings?

Thanks for your help!

By the way, I am AMAZED at this bike and its componentry. The last bike I had was a Fuji frame where I had upgraded a lot of the components, but still based on down tube shifters...these new shifters are incredible--smooth and easy to use.

Curious...what have any of the manufacturers done to account for someone (like my wife) with small hands. As comfortable as these things are for me, I would imagine that it would be a lot harder for my wife to work (oh darn, guess she can't ride my bike). It might be nice, however, to upgrade her bike someday.

Congratulations with the new rig, Big R!

I don't think you should worry about the shifting issues.


Bike has two chainrings. When shifting F/D, I am getting two distinct clicks going each way.

That might be the built-in ‘fine tuning’ shift. If you are on the big ring up front and the largest cog in the rear (or vice versa) the chainline becomes diagonal and the chain rubs the front derailer cage. With a ‘fine tuning shift’ (you don’t move the lever as far as with a regular shift), you direct the cage a bit inward (without directing the chain to the small ring) to get rid of this rub.


And it seems I really have to push a long way to go from small to large. Is this normal? an adjustment issue? Or is it remotely possible that I somewow have a triple F/D set up on a bike with double chain rings?

Seems normal Shimano shifting behavior to me...

Originally posted by Bruco
That might be the built-in ‘fine tuning’ shift. If you are on the big ring up front and the largest cog in the rear (or vice versa) the chainline becomes diagonal and the chain rubs the front derailer cage. With a ‘fine tuning shift’ (you don’t move the lever as far as with a regular shift), you direct the cage a bit inward (without directing the chain to the small ring) to get rid of this rub.

I just figured this out on my bike last evening. I never knew about the "fine tune" shift, but it really works like a charm!!!!

That's exactly how it feels...thanks

wow thanks for this info!!! i had no idea that's what it was for!! I also thought it was for triple derailleur setups.

Ultegra shifters are double- or triple-compatible. With a double, you get two trim positions on each chainring. With a triple, you get one trim position each on the inner and middle rings, none on the outer.

RichC