mzeffex 

I just put on my SLX crankset and XT front derailleur, and running with 7 speed grip shift. Now, I know about bike mechanics, but no idea what to do now. It barely shifts to the granny gear, implying the cable is too tight, and I barely have to move the grip shift at all for it to shift from the largest gear. When the arrow is pointed somewhere in the area between 1 and 2, the chain is on the largest cog. The cable does not feel extremely tight - how do I fix this?

mzeffex 

I just realized... bottom bracket spacers? The chainline is almost dead on but the granny gear is a bit closer to the frame than on my previous crankset..

Panthers007

For a front-derailleur having problems shifting after installing a new crankset, I'm surprised it has shifted at all. Here is my cut & paste referring to any & all problems with a FD. I suggest a similar course of action for problems with an RD.......
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Take the cable off the FD. Now install it from scratch as per Park Tool Repair:

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=75

And BicycleTutor:

https://bicycletutor.com/adjust-front-derailer/

When you have it properly trimmed and are ready for the cable - a new one wouldn't hurt - you want to pull the cable taut - not too tight, taut. Then apply 48 to 60 inch-pounds to the pinch-bolt. Then put it through it's paces.

It's always easier and faster to install a FD from square-one, than it is to make adjustments with it already attached. This tends to fix one thing - while throwing another out of kilter. Start fresh. You'll get it.

mzeffex 

Thanks but I want to know, now, if the problem is the crankset being too close to the frame.

mzeffex 

I really hate my bike. So much.

laura*

Did you follow the instructions for installing the Outboard Bottom Bracket?

If your frame is built for a 68mm BB, then you'll have one spacer on the left and two on the right. They go between the frame and the OBB bearing units. If your frame is meant for a 73mm BB, then you need no spacers on the left and one on the right. If you're using an E-type FD, then one spacer on the right gets replaced by the E-type bracket.

PlatyPius

Do you have the cable on the correct side of the bolt?

If it's on the wrong side, the front shifter will be hard to turn, and it will shift from 1-3 and bypass 2 altogether.

LarDasse74

It is not your bike's fault.

Panthers007

I installed the outboard Hollowtech II bottom-bracket and Ultegra triple on my Trek 7.5 FX. It only took one spacer - on the left side. Best recommendation is to find/read the instructions.

If you are certain that a spacer would solve your problems:

https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...rts&sc=Spacers

operator

The OPs problem is that he's trying to run a 7 speed rear shifter with a front derailleur.

Panthers007

I seem to have missed this lil' nugget. A 7-speed shifter attached to a FD? Seriously? I'm not even going to touch it further...

laura*

The mountain Hollowtech II bottom-brackets have a different spacer configuration. The OP's SLX crankset should have come with three 2.5mm spacers.

JonathanGennick 

I am guessing that the OP is not really connecting his seven-speed shifter to his FD. He probably is running a 7x3 speed system, with three on the left grip and seven on the right. I read that part of his post several times.

However, OP, please clarify. You are running your front derailer from your left grip-shifter, correct? and that grip-shifter has three positions?

Tell us what brand/model of bike you have. That might be useful information.

In one of your other threads you mention working at a bike shop. Is there any at that shop who can help you?

When I read the following line in your original post:

"It barely shifts to the granny gear, implying the cable is too tight"

I begin to wonder about your limit screw settings. Possibly your lower limit is too high given your new chainrings.

However, I do agree with panthers007. I would disconnect my derailer cable and run through the entire adjustment process from scratch.

PlatyPius

Since he says that the cranks now sit closer to the frame, I can guarantee that the limit screws are off.

mzeffex 

Yes.. I am running 3 x 7 with the front derailleur linked to the 3. It is the type of grip shift, which I heard, is considered friction; it clicks a lot of times rather than one 3. So you can trim it, like STI. It has two spacers on the left and one on the right.

It is an old specialized hardrock w/ juicy 7s, full XT drivetrain, and then the SLX crankset. I'm going into work in about 45 minutes, so I'll get it checked then. I was just hoping to get it settled last night. Its frustrating when you get something new and exciting and it doesn't work.

On the stand at work it worked fine, but then when I left I noticed the movable plastic cable guide on the BB.. the word escapes me.. tube? The part of the frame the bottom bracket goes in, was moved. I screwed it back into place and now its off. Maybe that can help.

mzeffex 

Problem solved. After I looked at it for a few minutes I saw that the chain rings and the connected crank arm got pushed into the frame more, meaning they weren't in all the way when adjusted. Fixed now.

laura*

I hope you misspoke and you really have two on the right and one on the left.

mzeffex 

I said problem solved. As the crankset wasn't in all the way, it worked with one on the right two on the left on the stand. Then when riding and it moved over, I switched it to 2 on right 1 on left and now it works great.