Bicycle Mechanics - Front derailleur shifter

Hi All

Currently, my bike is Shimano 105 9-speed equipped. Most of the time, I like a gear ratio where the chain is on the largest gear on the crankset and on a large gear on the rear sprocket (english is not my first language, please correct me). This makes the chain rub on the front derailleur cage, which annoys me, in addition to prematurily wear the derailleur. :notamused:

Is there a lever out there that would allow me to fine tune the position of the front derailleur? I remember that my old Deore XT left shifter allowed me to do this, if I remember well from my mountain biking memories.

Hi All

Currently, my bike is Shimano 105 9-speed equipped. Most of the time, I like a gear ratio where the chain is on the largest gear on the crankset and on a large gear on the rear sprocket

This is called "cross-chaining" and should be avoided. Forcing the chain to run on an extreme angle causes excessive wear in the drivetrain, chain, sprockets, and derailleurs. Just don't do it. The cross-chaining ratios are redundant with other gear combinations and are not needed.

Al

Hi

Thanks for you answer. This is not an extreme cross-chaining as the position on the sprockets is the 3rd one, out of 9.

The convenience for me is that I can start from on a complete stop on the 3rd position and then shift to higher speeds easily, from the 3rd to 4th, 5th, etc. It would be a little annoying to have to change the front gear and also the rear gear to achieve this.

What do you seasoned cyclists do?

Maybe it is just a simple adjustment, because the rubbing is not constant, but only when I put lots of pressure on left crank, like when climbing, which makes me think that the BB set is not stiff enough.

This can probably be corrected with an adjustment of the FD. The first response to this assumed (as I did when I first read it) that you were going "Big Big" (as in largest front chainring to largest rear cog) which isn't a good idea. 3rd cog down should be OK.

On modern bikes, I've read Sheldon Brown saying that cross-chaining isn't a big deal anymore because derailers are better and chains are more flexible.

:thumb: Thanks. I will try that!

What you need is a shift cable adjustment. Use the barrel adjuster usually found on the left side of the down tube.

Al

What you need is a shift cable adjustment. Use the barrel adjuster usually found on the left side of the down tube.

Al

To add, you need slacken the cable (that is, make it "longer"), so tighten the barrel adjuster (righty-tighty, which makes the housing shorter and cable relatively longer).