Daytrip

Couple of very basic questions here:

I have a Shimano 105 ders and shifters on my road bike. I followed the procedures on Youtube for adjusting the front der, which basically consists of putting the chain on the big cog on the rear, small cog on the front (triple) winding the cable adjuster all the way in, releasing and then re-tightening the cable end on the front der after checking/setting the screws.

My problem is that I can't get the cable tension tight enough where it connects to the front der to make the shifter work. What I have to do is back out the cable tensioner at the shifter to get everything to work right. Is this the right procedure, or is there another way to tension the cable when making the initial connection at the der? I'd rather not chew the cable end up with a pliers.

On the back der, I notice that there appears to be a cable tensioner attached to the body of the der, plus the one at the shifter. Do they do the same thing? If so, why are there two?

bikeman715

yes you are doing it right . yes they do do the same , the frame they are there so you can makes adjustment to your cable as you are riding the bike,real handy huh ? with newer rear dérailleur they don't have them anymore.

Daytrip

Hey, Watertown. Sounds like a nice ride up from the valley.

The adjust-while-you ride is a great feature that I'm just starting to appreciate. Had to get my mind around a couple of things. First, it's (for me, anyway) counterintuitive to back the adjuster OUT to tighten the cable, but now I'm comfortable with that. Second, I had to figure out which symptoms call for tightening the cable, and which will be addressed by loosening it. I'm about halfway there. Know your springs. I also learned to make these adjustments one click at a time. Patience and observation pays off.

bikeman715

the adjustment is make when the dérailleur (front or rear ) not shifting right ,usually you will be backing them off (to tighten the cable ) so everything is working again. when the adjustment barrel get to their limits then you turn them inward losing the anchor bolt/nut pull the cable rethighten the hardware and use the adjustment barrel as time move on.

bikeman715

yes it is a nice ride , you should try it sometime and stop by and i can show how to maintain your ride.

Daytrip

Thanks. I've made it up to the Tug Hill Plateau and back from Clinton, so I'm gettin' there.