Problems shifting into small chainring - normal or defect?
05-17-07, 09:46 AM
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Problems shifting into small chainring - normal or defect?
After over a decade away from riding I've bought a Lemond Alpe D'Huez:
https://2006.lemondbikes.com/2006_bik...e_d_huez.shtml
Mine has an Ultegra front and 105 rear derailleur, but other than that is exactly as described.
My issue is in shifting to the inner/smallest chainring when there's any torque on the crank. Sometimes the chain just locks in between chainrings, and sometimes it doesn't even shift (pressing the lever in results in zero movement). I have no problems shifting it lower when I'm on a flat road.
The problem is that I usually want to make this shift when I'm on a steeper or longer hill and maintain a smooth gear shifting pattern. I live on a small mountain outside Seattle, so 15-20% inclines are pretty common for my rides. I've had it in the shop three times now to get adjusted, and they just think I'm pushing the limits of the mechanism given where I'm riding.
I'm now shifting into the inner chainring before I get to the gnarly hills, which is what the bike store suggested and what some other posts in the archives here imply. I'm in the upper third of the cassette when I'm doing this, so it's not a case of a sharp angle between front and back.
My question is... is this just normal for a triple? Does the more complex gear ratio mean that shifting down under torque isn't possible with these components? Should I just shut the hell up and ride, or should I be expecting more from a $1,500 bike?
With that said, I LOVE this bike when I ride it as a double. I want to kick it when I ride it as a triple.
https://2006.lemondbikes.com/2006_bik...e_d_huez.shtml
Mine has an Ultegra front and 105 rear derailleur, but other than that is exactly as described.
My issue is in shifting to the inner/smallest chainring when there's any torque on the crank. Sometimes the chain just locks in between chainrings, and sometimes it doesn't even shift (pressing the lever in results in zero movement). I have no problems shifting it lower when I'm on a flat road.
The problem is that I usually want to make this shift when I'm on a steeper or longer hill and maintain a smooth gear shifting pattern. I live on a small mountain outside Seattle, so 15-20% inclines are pretty common for my rides. I've had it in the shop three times now to get adjusted, and they just think I'm pushing the limits of the mechanism given where I'm riding.
I'm now shifting into the inner chainring before I get to the gnarly hills, which is what the bike store suggested and what some other posts in the archives here imply. I'm in the upper third of the cassette when I'm doing this, so it's not a case of a sharp angle between front and back.
My question is... is this just normal for a triple? Does the more complex gear ratio mean that shifting down under torque isn't possible with these components? Should I just shut the hell up and ride, or should I be expecting more from a $1,500 bike?
With that said, I LOVE this bike when I ride it as a double. I want to kick it when I ride it as a triple.
05-17-07, 10:02 AM
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You have to anticipate the need to shift and shift before it happens. Shifting under load isn't a good idea. It causes a lot more wear and isn't really how the parts were meant to be used.
If it's shifting badly on flat roads too, then the problem is probably an adjustment issue of either the cable tension or the FD alignment, I'm guessing.
If it's shifting badly on flat roads too, then the problem is probably an adjustment issue of either the cable tension or the FD alignment, I'm guessing.
