Bicycle Mechanics - adjusting the front derailler

I just put bar-end shifters on my bike and for the life of me I can't get the front dérailleur adjusted. I have the chain on the small ring front and rear and I pull the cable tight. I pulled it where it was loose enough to go from the small ring to the center, but wont go to the big ring. I pulled it tighter to get on the big ring and now it wont go to the small ring. I checked to see if the cable was hanging up, but it's running clear. Any help would be appreciated.

inadequate cable pull ratio?
lower the FD closer to the chainring?

inadequate cable pull ratio?
lower the FD closer to the chainring?

I had it working with another set of handlebars and I got it on the first try. That's what's blowing my mind. I took off all the tape thinking it was in a bind or something and it's running clear. Thanks for the reply.

I just put bar-end shifters on my bike and for the life of me I can't get the front dérailleur adjusted. I have the chain on the small ring front and rear and I pull the cable tight. I pulled it where it was loose enough to go from the small ring to the center, but wont go to the big ring. I pulled it tighter to get on the big ring and now it wont go to the small ring. I checked to see if the cable was hanging up, but it's running clear. Any help would be appreciated.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=75

I had it working with another set of handlebars and I got it on the first try. That's what's blowing my mind. I took off all the tape thinking it was in a bind or something and it's running clear. Thanks for the reply.

If you would prefer a video format:

http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-front-derailer/

I read Park and watched the video to and I'm doing everything that I'm suppose to do. That's why I cant figure this out. I thought with friction shifters, I wouldn't have to be so careful with the cable tension.

I read Park and watched the video to and I'm doing everything that I'm suppose to do. That's why I cant figure this out. I thought with friction shifters, I wouldn't have to be so careful with the cable tension.

It's times like these I wish I could just teleport to your bike and have you demonstrate the problem. Now that we're off the beaten path (or so we assume) on what's wrong, it only gets harder to diagnose it.

Perhaps your travel screws are set wrong somehow. I suggest starting at the beginning with the high-low screws set at a neutral. Each having several turns down (clockwise) to go. See what that says. And when you state you pulled the cable tight while installing it - it might be too tight. Try backing it off a bit - no flop, but not taut either.

Good luck.

I just put a new cable on and it seemed to help. I had the bike adjusted on the stand, took it for a ride and couldn't get on the big ring.

Perhaps your travel screws are set wrong somehow. I suggest starting at the beginning with the high-low screws set at a neutral. Each having several turns down (clockwise) to go. See what that says. And when you state you pulled the cable tight while installing it - it might be too tight. Try backing it off a bit - no flop, but not taut either.

Good luck.

I just ran the limit screws in and readjusted them and it helped a bunch. I'll have to tweak the low limit screw because it's slow shifting, but other than that I think it will be OK now. I didn't touch the limit screws changing the handlebars out. I changed them out when I watched the video. I must have done something wrong. Anyhow thanks for the help everybody.