Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

can't shift to smallest ring going uphill

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

can't shift to smallest ring going uphill

Old 07-31-08, 08:50 PM
  #1  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 434

Bikes: 1986 Bridgestone 450

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts
can't shift to smallest ring going uphill

I've got friction shifters on my downtube and a Suntour XC FD. I can't shift onto the smallest chainring (24t) when I'm going uphill. I have to be on perfectly flat terrain to shift. the only time I need that 24t ring is in the middle of a big hill. Is this an adjustment issue or something else? thanks!
erbfarm is offline  
Old 07-31-08, 08:58 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
joejack951's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 12,098

Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1240 Post(s)
Liked 94 Times in 65 Posts
Most likely, you have too much tension on the chain while you are trying to shift. Unlike the rear derailler, the front derailler works on the tensioned side of the chain. In order to derail properly, the chain needs to have some slack in it, enough so that the derailler's spring can deflect the chain enough to cause it to come off the chainring.

If you are having problems getting into your small ring, try shifting into it before you actually need it, i.e. before you are standing on the pedals and barely moving. Shifting habits vary as much as chain lube opinions but if I know I'm going to be needing my granny ring, I'll wait until about in the middle of my cassette, downshift into the granny and then upshift a cog or two on the rear. I've kept my gear ratio about the same but since I'm in the smaller chainring, I've got plenty of lower gears to use. By shifting while I still have a few more cogs in the rear to use, I can always downshift a few more times in the rear if I for some reason start to lose speed and can't get my shift completed.

The other possibility is that your low limit screw is set too far in. This could also make downshifting into the granny ring difficult unless the chain was extremely slack. If my first bit of advice does not work, trying turning the low limit screw out a 1/4 to 1/2 turn and see if that helps. Be careful though because if you go too far, you'll start dropping the chain on downshifts.
joejack951 is offline  
Old 07-31-08, 09:20 PM
  #3  
Super Moderator
 
Homebrew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,842

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 919 Times in 606 Posts
^^^ Yup, good answer
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Homebrew01 is offline  
Old 08-01-08, 12:27 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: angus scotland
Posts: 600

Bikes: Grifter BSA 20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
might be the front mech is a bit to high
this gives shifting into smallest cog difficult

new deraileurs have a red sticker on them to set there height.
should be 2 or 3mm above the biggest cog when chains on that chainring
griftereck is offline  
Old 08-01-08, 01:38 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
DannoXYZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Saratoga, CA
Posts: 11,736
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
Joe's got it right on. If the bike will shift on level ground, then it's adjusted correctly. You have to let up on the chain-tension in order to shift. If you're cranking as hard as you can up a hill, no way will it shift. What you can do is speed up, then let up slightly and shift.

Plan your shifts ahead. Don't go all the way up to the largest cog in the rear while in the middle-chainring and run out of gears, forcing you into a granny-ring shift. Instead, with 3-4 cogs in the rear to go, shift into your granny.
DannoXYZ is offline  
Old 08-01-08, 07:23 AM
  #6  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 434

Bikes: 1986 Bridgestone 450

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts
[QUOTE=Plan your shifts ahead. Don't go all the way up to the largest cog in the rear while in the middle-chainring and run out of gears, forcing you into a granny-ring shift. Instead, with 3-4 cogs in the rear to go, shift into your granny.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I'll give this a try and see how i do. I've only got a 6 spd freewheel so I'll shift onto the low ring when I'm right in the middle of my rear cogs.
erbfarm is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.