deltapak

Hi guys,

I got a new MTB and I indexed its gears. The rear derailleur went awesome but the front one is giving me heart burn. Its a 3-speed one and somehow the chain doesn't go in the 1st sprocket. I press the shifter and it remains in the 2nd one, when I press the shifter a 2nd time, the chain hops on to the 3rd sprocket. I can't seem to press the shifter a 3rd time as it is rock hard.

So, in essence I am reduced to 2 gears: the 2nd and 3rd one. Any solution to get back that 1st gear?

Btw, the derailleurs are both Shimano.

oddjob2

Lube the cable where it slides thru the casing. Also, with the shifter in low gear position for the smallest sprocket, tighten the cable up at the derailleur to remove most or all of the slack.

If the above doesn't help, adjust the limit screws on the front derailleur. Check youtube videos for details.

deltapak

Thanks for the response. How should I check that I have the right cable tension? Also, should I tighten the cable at the screw or use a barrel adjuster?

MMLC

With new front derailleurs there is a little plastic doo dad that comes with them. It is for setting the lower limit on the small chain ring. That is; you open up the derailleur and slip the piece in which brings it into close alignment with the small chain ring. You want to tighten your cable once you have alignment with the small chain ring. You could use a piece of pencil with tape wrapped around it or some folded up cardboard to hold the derailleur in place if you don't have the doo dad.

fietsbob

I'm Guessing its more a STI synching the clicks with the chainring location, issues.

deltapak

The problem is that I have set both the limit just fine. And the chain doesn't slip off on either end. The problem is with the gears not functioning in their full range, I can't seem to get down to 1 after I have gotten to 2. 2 becomes the new 1.

deltapak

I am kind of a noob when it comes to cycling terminology. Could you please elaborate?

deltapak

Hi again guys,

Here are the pics of the derailleur in various gear positions. 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

willtf

It looks like your derailleur is rotated way out.

North Coast Joe

Just having replaced essentially the same derailleur on my bike, I would have to guess the same thing.

When I installed the new one, I made sure I was on the smallest chainring and lowest gear indicator on the shifter before I took the slack out of the cable. It really fell into place with no further adjustment.

FWIW, the original derailleur would not step it up onto the big chainring anymore, despite looking fine and being adjusted in varying positions to attempt the shift to third. Bit the bullet and bought a new one, which worked perfectly as soon as it was mounted!?! Mebbe they just wear out in a manner not obvious to visual inspection.

MMLC

The whole derailleur needs to be turned clockwise until it is in parallel alignment with the small chain ring. Once you have achieved that alignment the derailleur needs to be adjusted out towards the second chain ring whereas the chain runs through the derailleur on the small chain ring without rubbing. The second step here is where wedging the derailleur open a little comes in handy.

deltapak

Thanks for the advice. I will try it and let you know how it pans out!

deltapak

Thanks a bunch. That fixed it. Now the gears are shifting quite well apart from a couple problems which i believe can be fixed with a bit of fine tuning:
1) The chain is a little 'hesitant' to jump from the 1st gear to the 2nd gear.
2) When riding in the easiest gears (1 on front and 1 through 3 on the back), I experience chain rub on the front derailleur.

Any fixes for these minor problems? I suspect they can be dealt with via cable tension adjustments but I am too afraid to try unless I can get a little guidance.

Appreciate your help.

P.S: My barrel adjuster is on the shifter.

redcon1

You need to download the front derailleur adjustment guide from the Park Tools website. It has step-by-step instructions to follow.
You just need to fine tune the tension now, very easily explained in the Park instructions.

deltapak

I don't see any downloadable guide. Do I have to buy the Big Blue Book?

redcon1

Not sure how you missed this under the blue tab titled 'Repair Help"

Park Tool Co. » ParkTool Blog

Nothing to buy, unless you wanted a printed copy of their repair manual.
Maybe I confused you by using 'download,' you just have to go to the appropriate section and print it out.

deltapak

Thanks for the clarification. Yup, I thought you were talking about a PDF or something.