Originally Posted by
Kimmo
Front derailleur adjustment is one of the trickiest things to do on a bike... the following assumes the derailleur is mounted in the correct position (inner plate parallel to rings, outer plate clearing big ring by 1-2mm).
Did this. I checked the outer clearance and it's roughly 2mm
Originally Posted by
Kimmo
First ensure the inner limit screw is properly set, by seeing if the derailleur rubs on the chain when in smallest ring/biggest cog. If there's a gap, turn the screw until it's as small as you can get it without chain rub (remember to allow a mm or so for some flex that will occur when you're on the bike).
So far, so good
Originally Posted by
Kimmo
Then secure the cable and shift into biggest ring/smallest cog and adjust the outer limit screw in the same way, ensuring the shifter is holding the derailleur against the limit screw.
It's that "secure the cable" that everyone glosses over just like this but that I am not getting right.
Originally Posted by
Kimmo
Back off any barrel adjusters on the cable to a couple of turns from fully loose, pull the cable tight while the derailleur's resting against the inner limit screw, and finally tighten the clamp bolt.
This is most likely the problem, and I think that it's because I don't understand the mechanics of the cables. I was tightening the barrel until it stopped then loosening two clicks before trying to tighten the clamp. So for your way, backing off the barrel adjuster makes the cable slack, then I pull it by hand and then tighten the bolt? But then I've pulled the slack out of the cable and I'm at a position on the barrel where I can only tighten it and add more tension to a cable already under tension. Is this correct?
I really appreciate the help. I'll search to see if I can learn more about operation of cables.