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Problem with front derailleur

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Old 08-10-19 | 08:12 AM
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Problem with front derailleur

Hi,

I've got this weird issue when the chain is brushing against the front derailleur when I'm set to either lowest or highest rear gear. This started happening after my wheels got nicked and I had to buy new ones along with a freewheel casette.
Any ideas why this might've started happening?

Cheers!

Last edited by matlev; 08-10-19 at 08:43 AM.
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by matlev
Hi,

I've got this weird issue when the chain is bruising against the front derailleur when I'm set to either lowest or highest rear gear. This started happening after my wheels got nicked and I had to buy new ones along with a freewheel casette.
Any ideas why this might've started happening?

Cheers!
Yes. It started because your wheels got nicked and you had to buy new wheels and a freewheel cassette.
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by trailangel
Yes. It started because your wheels got nicked and you had to buy new wheels and a freewheel cassette.
Very helpful indeed.
But seriously, ideas on fixing the issue?
Thanks
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:32 AM
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Anytime you put different wheels on or a different freewheel cassette (**********) you need to re-adjust your derailleurs. Have you done this?
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:33 AM
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Must be a slightly different hub spacing on the new wheels causing a change in the chain line. Try adjusting your upper and lower limit screws on the FD a quarter turn, not enough to throw your chain either way, but enough to stop it rubbing as you approach the limits.
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by ridelikeaturtle
Must be a slightly different hub spacing on the new wheels causing a change in the chain line. Try adjusting your upper and lower limit screws on the FD a quarter turn, not enough to throw your chain either way, but enough to stop it rubbing as you approach the limits.
Hi, thanks. The thing is, I've tried adjusting this. I am thinking of actually replacing the derailleur maybe?
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:39 AM
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Did you release the cable tension and start completely new?
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by matlev
Hi, thanks. The thing is, I've tried adjusting this. I am thinking of actually replacing the derailleur maybe?
Before you go to that extreme, try disconnecting everything and starting from scratch. (You'd have to do this anyway with any new FD.) Realign it w/the cranks, make sure it's all the correct angle & height, re-check your limit screws, clean & lube everything really good... and why not, make sure the rear wheel is correctly seated in the dropouts... and go from there.
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by ridelikeaturtle
Before you go to that extreme, try disconnecting everything and starting from scratch. (You'd have to do this anyway with any new FD.) Realign it w/the cranks, make sure it's all the correct angle & height, re-check your limit screws, clean & lube everything really good... and why not, make sure the rear wheel is correctly seated in the dropouts... and go from there.
Yes I have released the cable tension. Well, if that's what you think I need to do, then I'll probably start there. The only thing that baffles me is that it brushes on both highest and lowest gear?
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:47 AM
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If it's misaligned, it can be touching / rubbing in different places at the extremes.

It worked before you changed wheels, logically it should be able to work again.
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Old 08-10-19 | 08:51 AM
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Logically, yes it should.
Thanks, will try it!
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Old 08-12-19 | 01:58 PM
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Most front derailleurs have screws which adjust the lower and upper travel limits. If other posters are correct and the chain line has changed you may need to adjust these so that both allow a little more travel along with adjusting cable tension.
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Old 08-12-19 | 06:04 PM
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Not to be difficult but it seems we are missing lots of information. First is are the shifters friction or indexed? With the old wheel did you have to trim the FD to keep itfrom rubbbing? Are you able to trim the FD with the new wheel? How many speeds front and rear?
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Old 08-12-19 | 06:16 PM
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I would also check that the FD is lined up straight. If it got turned a bit so it's at an angle relative the the chain, that can cause rubbing on both ends. And I agree with Eggman84 - a bit more info on the type of derailleur, levers and gear setup would be helpful.
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