Bicycle Mechanics - Front derailleur set up.not the whole process justone thing I forgot

Everything is setup right because I've done it before,but forgotten one thing.I just want to know which cogs do you use when tighteneing the derailleur bolt.I've been using the small ring at the front and bid one at the back,so it's easy to get chain gap right.
Is this correct.
Allso,you do the front before the rear derailleur,but park tool says do the rear first?but that seems more of a pain.

Your question is extremely unclear.

Which "derailleur bolt" are you talking about? If you mean the cable fixing bolt on the front derailleur, then it will probably get your closest if you are in the small chainring and big cog when you fasten the cable.

I always adjust the rear derailleur first because then I can more easily shift across the rear cassette repeatedly while I'm setting up the front.

If, by tightening the derailleur bolt, you're talking about the bolt that holds the derailleur onto the seatpost, I prefer to use the big front ring and small rear cog. That's the only way I can see to set the height. New Shimano front derailleurs even come with a little plastic block that holds the derailleur in that position and makes it easier to do.

Your question is extremely unclear.

Which "derailleur bolt" are you talking about? If you mean the cable fixing bolt on the front derailleur, then it will probably get your closest if you are in the small chainring and big cog when you fasten the cable.

Yes,the bolt that holds the cable.You saying I should tighten it in the big front ring and small rear cog?
Oh,I've been using the big cog on the rear and small front.

might be better if I did a search

Yes,the bolt that holds the cable.You saying I should tighten it in the big front ring and small rear cog?
Oh,I've been using the big cog on the rear and small front.

The bolt that holds the cable can only be tightened when you're on the small front chainring. Otherwise it won't shift down.

Yes cheers,just read i was doing it right.
Seems like my sti's are on their way out though,cos the click is getting soft and won't shift from big to small

biketutor.com

"Shifting Adjustments
Now that both limit screws are set up, shift back to the largest sprocket in the rear, and the smallest in the front. Make sure your front shifter is in the lowest gear position, and pull the shift cable to eliminate any extra slack, before tightening the cable bolt."

You almost have to take the slack out of the cable with the derailleurs in the most relaxed positions so big rear cog (unless you have one of the rare Rapid Rise rds) and small chainring are correct.

The reason for doing the rear first is you want to be able to shift all the way across the cassette to set the inner and outer limit screws for the front derailleur to have proper chain clearance.

Thanks very much for that.Now I have encountered another problem.I hadbeen using a piece of wood to hold the font derailleur forward while I take up the slack with pliers and tighten the bolt.The only thing is,the pressure has dented the frame :( how do you do all 3 at once? then when you think it's 2mm clear from the chain,I will the wood out and it rubs the chain slightly?

A miracle has just happened thanks to hillrider.You keep it in the slackest position so u don't have to hold the derailleur forwards.I don't believe I've been doing it wrong for about 6 years.Luckily the dent is quite small

A miracle has just happened thanks to hillrider.You keep it in the slackest position so u don't have to hold the derailleur forwards.I don't believe I've been doing it wrong for about 6 years.Luckily the dent is quite small
Yeah, and I also made a typo concerning the rear derailleur set up. The most relaxed position in back is over the smallest cog, not the largest, for most common rear derailleurs. BTW, be sure the shifters are also in the most relaxed position before tightening the cable.