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Shifting Problem- won't shift to lower gears

Old 05-25-07, 10:06 AM
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Shifting Problem- won't shift to lower gears

I just adjusted the limited screws. The bike shifts perfectly from the bigger cogs down to the lower ones. However when I try to shift back up (towards a lower gear) there will be a hesitation. If I keep pedaling a few rotations it might catch. Sometimes I have to shift twice to a lower gear before the derailleur will move the chain.

Any advice? Thanks.
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Old 05-25-07, 10:17 AM
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Much more info is needed to make a guess at what is the problem. How many miles on the drivetrain, speeds, etc. Chain worn, clean? You get the idea.
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Old 05-25-07, 10:58 AM
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I'd say start here and move methodically through the process of FD adjustment:

https://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html
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Old 05-25-07, 11:07 AM
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Have you tried adjusting the barrel adjusters? try screwing those to lengten the housing (more housing or ferrule should show) which effectively shortens the cable. If this fix works, (or yours are already adjusted all the way out) then go for broke and actually take the slack out of your cable by:
Putting your rear derailleur in the highest rear gear (smallest cog)
Set your limit screw to hold it in place, just a tad on the inside (towards the next larger cog) of the smallest cog.
Loosen the "cable holder downer nut",
Pull the slack out of your cable and hold it while re-tightening the nut.
Back off the limit screw.
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Old 05-25-07, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by niccolo
I just adjusted the limited screws. The bike shifts perfectly from the bigger cogs down to the lower ones. However when I try to shift back up (towards a lower gear) there will be a hesitation. If I keep pedaling a few rotations it might catch. Sometimes I have to shift twice to a lower gear before the derailleur will move the chain.
Your message is rather confusing, because the "bigger cogs" _are_ the lower gears!

If you have trouble shifting to the smaller sprockets, it suggests that the problem is related to cable friction.

See: https://sheldonbrown.com/cables

and: https://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment

Sheldon "Upside Down Gearing?" Brown
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Old 05-25-07, 11:26 AM
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Assume you are talking about the rear?
Shifting from big cogs to small cogs is accomplished by the spring tension in the rear DER.
Dirty kinked etc. cables will inhibit the cable from returning "promptly".
Going the opposite way, you pull the cable, so shifts are more positive, since you physically overcome cable friction with brute force.
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