How to tune gears

[martinarlaw]

Can someone give me a detailed explanation on how to tune my front and rear derailers ? I already understand that all the limiter (hi-low) screws do Is control how far (Up) and how far (down) the mechanism can physically go. Please don't post a link to a video as I have been on youtube trying to work it out for ages to no avail. Thanks

[Al1943]

Find the instructions for setting up and adjusting front and rear derailleurs at this site: www.parktool.com.

It is important to do all of the steps in sequence leaving nothing out.

Shifting performance is also dependent on how clean your shifter mechanisms are and the condition and routing of the shift cables and cable housings, especially the short housing found at the rear derailleur.

[fietsbob]

And if the derailleur hanger is bent , everything is Off.
but the proper tool to fix that is expensive.
better to pay the bike shop a few bucks to get that checked.

[martinarlaw]

thanks

[martinarlaw]

Yeah I'll just pay Halfords £9.00 to re-Adjust them properly instead of messing my bike up. Thanks for the instructions I will have to learn on my girlfriends bike hahaha

[spathfinder3408]

for the rear derailer put the bike in high gear. tighten up cable so there is no slack. If this is a friction shifter its different then a index. The friction can adjust to the gear while in motion, the index has to be spot on. If your lucky and have an adjustment nut right near your derailer you will be able to fine tune your shifting right there. If not then you have to adjust the cable till it hits the gears right. The front derailer needs to be put in the lowest gear so you can take up all the slack in cable. The easiest way to set these derailers is on a bike stand. If you don't have one then tie bike in the air with ropes so you can run bike thru gears. The front derailer should shift ok and just need to set stop screws for going to far in or to far out. Thats about it.

[Monster Pete]

It's not too difficult if you've already got the limits set up correctly. Essentially, if the shifting onto a larger sprocket is slow, increase the cable tension (unscrew the adjuster) if it's slow to shift to a smaller sprocket, reduce the cable tension. If you run out of adjustment, move the cable at the anchor bolt and start again.

[Retro Grouch]

And if the derailleur hanger is bent , everything is Off.

How often that gets overlooked.

2. Once the limit screws are correctly adjusted, they seldom need readjusting. Screwing with the screws is almost always a mistake.
3. Cable tension adjustments are common but it usually doesn't take very much.

[HillRider]

...2. Once the limit screws are correctly adjusted, they seldom need readjusting. Screwing with the screws is almost always a mistake.
3. Cable tension adjustments are common but it usually doesn't take very much.

One mistake a lot of new mechanics make is adjusting limit screw and cable tension by too coarse increments. Very small adjustments (say 1/4 turn of either the screws or barrel adjusters) can have a noticable effect on shifting. Make small changes and keep track of how far you have gone so you can return to the starting point if the adjustment doesn't help.

[Looigi]

... if the shifting onto a larger sprocket is slow, increase the cable tension (unscrew the adjuster) if it's slow to shift to a smaller sprocket, reduce the cable tension....

If they're both slow or inconsistent, check the cable for fraying or kinks, replace the RD housing loop, etc...