Bicycle Mechanics - Cant shift to the last gear....ever

Heres a pic of what i mean.

http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars4/DSC00028.JPG


How can I fix this? Adjusting the screws on the RD? New chain?
Its a 8speed bike with index shifting on the DT.


Thanks!

try turning the top/high adjustment screw on your RD out or counter clockwise a half turn or so, that should let the RD move a bit further out ...

yea i tried that, but it still wont go

its weird, because i count 8 clicks when im shifting but when i try the last one it doesnt move. its the max it can go

hmmm ..... maybe bent RD or RD hanger?

hmm i hope not :)
could it be this screw? what does this one do?

http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars4/DSC000281.JPG

Did you just change cables? Or have you or anyone messed with the Cable adjuster on???? the lever, cable stop? or at the back of the RD? Also any new chain or cog?

Cheers

the screw you indicate is the b-adjustment. it adjusts the distance between the upper pully and the high gear cog -- the vertical distance

on 105 RD the upper screw of the pair is the high adjustment. how much tension is in the cable when you are on the small cog?

Make sure the derailleur bolt is tight. This is the bolt that attaches the derailleur to the frame.

its weird, because i count 8 clicks when im shifting but when i try the last one it doesnt move. its the max it can go

You sure it's not at the lowest gear for two clicks? I just had that problem, where the indexing was off by 1 gear. If so, you should turn that grey plastic knob at the end of the cable housing leading into the derailleur until the indexing matches the correct cog.

You need to adjust the upper limit screw. I'm guessing on the vintage, but I believe it's the lower of the two.

Here's what to do.

1) undo the rear shifter cable.
2) turn your barrel adjuster all the way IN then out 1 full turn.
3) Put the bike in a rack or hang it so you can pedal with one hand and make adjustments with the other.
4) while pedaling, turn the lower screw OUT in 1/2 turn increments.
5) stop unscrewing when the chain drops to the smallest cog.
6) make sure the shifter is in the lowest gear
7) reattach shifter cable.
8) while pedaling, shift up two shifts (if index shifting)
9) then turn the barrel adjuster out (counter clock wise) until the chain starts to "climb" (starts wanting to go into 3rd gear).
10) turn the barrel adjuster IN 1/2 turn.
11) Run through all the gears and make sure all shifts up and down are crisp.
12) if slow on the upshift(toward big inside cog), turn barrel adjuster out 1/4 turn
13) if slow on the downshift turn in 1/4 turn.

L8R

Thanks guys! It was the cable. I had it on too tight.

Thanks guys! It was the cable. I had it on too tight.

Hehe my girlfriend had that same problem. Too tight has it pulled in too much.