Originally Posted by
CliffordK
Sometimes it helps to turn a screw backward a revolution or two before going forward, and maybe feel where the threads engage.
I teach the kids to do what you suggest. Helps a lot. Feel for that little thud when going backward, and then begin forward rotation.
[MENTION=357263]dblA[/MENTION], don't be too hard on yourself. Most of us have probably cross-threaded something at one time or another. The cable tension from the still-attached shifter cable probably didn't help matters. From what you say in your post, I'm surmising that no real harm has been done. Hopefully that is what the shop will find when you take in the bike.