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GT_ATB32
06-13-04, 02:45 PM
How can I get my bike to shift correctly? I have a Shimano Deore 9 speed rear der. and when I use the barrel adjuster to make the shift precise it only works good shifting up until I change the barrel then it only works shifting down. Can any one tell me why my bike does this? My friend's setup (which is the same as mine) has the same problem.
Thank You,
Garrett
Retro Grouch
06-13-04, 03:02 PM
How can I get my bike to shift correctly? I have a Shimano Deore 9 speed rear der. and when I use the barrel adjuster to make the shift precise it only works good shifting up until I change the barrel then it only works shifting down. Can any one tell me why my bike does this? My friend's setup (which is the same as mine) has the same problem.
Thank You,
Garrett
Cable tension adjustments will fix most shifting problems but appearantly not yours. Here's a couple of things that you can check that are particularly prevalent on mountain bikes:
1. Cable and housing cleanliness. If you ride in the dirt, stuff gets dirty. Top tube routed shift cables collect yucky water and route it down into the cable housing nearest the derailleur. When your cables get a little sketchy, you can force a shift onto the bigger cogs, but shifts onto the smaller cogs only happen when they're ready. Reducing cable tension can speed these shifts, but it screws the shifts going the other way. Sometimes a fresh set of cables and housings works wonders.
2. Check your derailleur hanger alignment. Shops have a special tool for doing that, but you can "guesstimate" it yourself. Shift your rear derailleur into a cog that makes the derailleur cage point straight down. Now prop your bike up so that it's vertical and look at your derailleur from the back. If your derailleur points toward the tire or toward the outside, even a little, your derailleur hanger is bent. You'll never get the rear derailleur to work perfectly until you get the hanger properly aligned.