Can't adjust my derailleurs for the life of me!
 

My beloved Bella's having some drivetrain noise issues, the chain is a little chatty. I got it better when I replaced the front derailleur cable, reset its position and readjusted the derailleurs. But now, I'm noticing some chain noise in certain gears. So I tried to reset and readjust the front derailleur and its infuriating me. I'm going to have the LBS adjust the front and rear derailleurs tomorrow but is there a trick involved in adjusting a triple front crank drivetrain - I have a Shimano 105 in the back, Tiagra triple in the front. I did break the chain and cleaned it and rejoined it with an OEM Shimano pin. There's a little slop in the rear derailleur, but I think the LBS will fix that.

nthatch, Did you 'exercise' the chain side-to-side after replacing the pin? Often the chain will become quite stiff where the pin was installed.

Brad

Maybe you're trying to adjust away chain/cog wear?

Which gears cause noise? If they're the cross-chained ones, don't use those gears as there is identical gearing with other straighter combinations.

Also look up front-derailleur "trim". In about 95% of all bikes, you MUST adjust the front-derailleur position so it doesn't rub the chain as you change gears in back.

Once again, it helps to read the READ THIS at the head of the Bike Mechanics forum. It will refer you to Sheldon Brown and Park sites. There is no "trick," but there are procedures to follow to get a proper adjustment. The previous posts referring to checking your chain and being aware of the need to trim, esp on a triple are also important to heed.

I had the front adjusted and I'm now fully aware of the chain trim function. I had the right idea - but I didn't get the FD positioned properly. And the chain's fine, I felt and moved each link by hand while pedaling it on the rack.