Originally Posted by
nebuer16
Start over.
Undo the cable, and get the lower limit set with the biggest cog in the rear. Attach the cable so it is tight but not tight enough to change the position of the front derailleur. Try shifting up to the big ring. If it doesn't get up there, try bringing out the upper limit - it might be set to low so you can't even shift it up. Adjust the upper limit so there is enough space between the chain and FD that it doesn't rub when you are in the smallest cog in the rear. If you keep backing out the upper limit and the cage doesn't move, you need more tension on the cable. Release back down to the small ring, undo the cable, and give it some more tension.
Pretty much tried that and used biketutor and parktool as references. Any advice on how to get the most cable tension? I'm really yanking in it with some pliers and can't seem to get it tight enough ever. Cable is starting to fray so afraid it might be time to change that too