kathy_cocker

Hi there. I have recently purchased a Raleigh Arena GT which is in excellent condition considering the age, but I can't seem to sort out the gears. I have tried tightening the gear cable (I put the gear lever on the middle gear (3) and then tightened it as much as I could) and have tightened the screw on the derailler, but have run out of ideas.

Although I can get gears 2, 3, 4, I cannot get gear 1 or 5. When I manually put the chain onto the top gear it stayed in place, but it grinded slightly and obviously wanted to go back. Any ideas?

Do I need a new gear cable or is there something wrong with my allignment? If so, what do I do?

Cheers.

I_bRAD

1. Disconnect the cable at the derailleur
2. Put the shifter in "5"
3. Adjust the high and low limit screws
4. adjust the barrel adjuster on the derailleur to be about half way out
5. Reconnect the cable
6. Adjust cable tension to get proper indexing.

go to www.parktool.com/repair to learn about how to adjust the limit screws and set the tension.

HillRider

I don't think there were ever 5-speed indexing shifters except for internal geared hubs. I assume this is a friction shifting set-up and I agree that the limit screws are probably set incorrectly.

I_bRAD

I did a tune up on a 5spd indexing setup yesterday! Either way, if it's friction then it's easier still...

HillRider

What make of shifters, derailleurs, etc? was it?

I do remember some kids bikes (Schwinn, etc.) from the '60's or '70's with "stick shifters" sticking straight up on the top tube that were 5-speed "indexing". I believe these were made by Sun Tour and sold until the CPSC banned them as hazardous. I don't recall any "adult bikes" that had 5-speed indexing.

I_bRAD

There were shimano thumb shifters. Real cheapies as in dept store "shimano equipped" bike. I think the brand of the bike was leader.

I also found a 5spd indexing thumb shifter the other day (shimano, can't remember the model) that was of fairly decent quality too...

kathy_cocker

I have tried reconnecting the cable with the gear lever in '5', but the cable wont stretch far enough to reconnect. Is it possible that my cable is too short?

Also, how do the high and low limit screws work? Do they really make that much of a difference to gearing of the bike?

P.S. My gear lever is the old kind that attachs to the frame of the bike and move up and down.

Bill Kapaun

" Also, how do the high and low limit screws work? Do they really make that much of a difference to gearing of the bike?"
They limit the amount of travel of the DER so it doesn't throw the chain off either end of the cogs.
IF they prevent you from using a gear, I'd say that affects gearing!

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

kathy_cocker

Just spent an hour on the bike trying to figure it all out, and your exactly right it was the screws! I had tightened them way too tight and also the cable was too tense. In the end I loosened the cable and fiddled with the screws until I had all five gears. It's amazing how much easier this stuff is once you know the logic behind the mechanism. The gears are now running perfectly. Thanks for the advice guys - would have no doubt cost me a good £10-£15 to get the gears re-tuned at the shop.

Stacey

Huzzah!

I_bRAD

Yep, not all screws can do with a tightening! Glad you've got it going

meb

I have a pair of 2001 Currie electrics (Currie electrics-Schwinn bike) that have 5 speed indexed shifting-twist grip shifter. I also have aquired some of the Shimano Positron derailuers which have the indexing in the derailuer.
If you go down to Target, you will find some of the bikes have 3x5 indexed shifting.


What was the reason CPSC banned the product, i.e. was it impalement of the shifter or what?