K&K_Dad

I have been trying to set my limits on my FD for about 2 hours now and can not get anywhere. I've set the low no problem but when I try to shift up the FD will not move at all. I can get it to trim but not move any farther. The limit screw doesn't do anything. I can't even get the inner plate to touch the chain. What am I doing wrong here?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

CACycling

Pull on the cable along the down tube to see if the FD moves far enough out. If it does, it is a shifter/cable issue. If not, it is a limit screw/FD issue.

Steev

The limit screws only set the outer limits of derailleur travel. To adjust the shifting you need to set the cable tension. Sounds like you simply don't have enough cable tension.

frankenmike 

There are probably better tutorials on the park or sheldonbrown websites, but here goes.. position the FD so it is as close as possible(heightwise) to the large ring, just able to clear it when shifting to the large ring, also make sure the plates are parallel with the rings. Before I attach any cables, I first set the limits. I pull the derailer with my hand to do this. I set the inner limit so that the chain can go to the little ring when on the small cog in the rear (even though in practical use this "crossing over" gear combo is not used) as well as not rub on the inner plate of the FD. The outer limit I also set with the chain on the small cog in the rear, so the outer plate on the FD doesn't rub, usually a gap of 1-2 mm. Once I have done this, I like to test it out by pulling in and out on the FD with my hand while pedaling to make sure the range works. Now, with the chain on the small chainring in front and the shifter in low, I attach the cable. Usually that's it, but sometimes I need to use the barrel adjuster to slightly move the position of the FD to not rub while on the middle ring in front. WHEW! I doubt anyone will read, much less follow these steps, but hey-I tried.

K&K_Dad

Well I've figured it out. I think it came down to cable tension. Thanks for the info and the help guys. i'm so glad that's over.