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Front Derailleur won't shift to Low gear

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Front Derailleur won't shift to Low gear

Old 01-19-08, 01:12 PM
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Front Derailleur won't shift to Low gear

It's a Shimano RDX shifter & a Deore LX front derailluer. It's stuck in the high gear & will not shift back. Is there anything I can try myself before taking to the LBS? Thanks.
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Old 01-19-08, 01:22 PM
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Does the chain ride smoothly in the high gear?
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Old 01-19-08, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by tommyd49
Does the chain ride smoothly in the high gear?
Yes.
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Old 01-19-08, 03:44 PM
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Probable causes:
1. Bad shifter
2) Mis-adusted fd
3) Dirty cable/cable guide under bottom bracket
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Old 01-19-08, 03:58 PM
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I would think that possibly the High Limit screw may need to be backed off slightly to allow the der to release. The cable tension is probably too high and the der is getting "jammed tight" against the stop.
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Old 01-19-08, 04:10 PM
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If it was working OK previously, I'd address the cable issue first. Limit screws don't get out of whack. Easiest thing would be to disconnect the cable and manually check the cage throw, check that the cable is being properly released and then check thecable itself.
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Old 01-19-08, 06:01 PM
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Try releasing the cable from the derailler then try the shifter without cable tension. Go gently .Usually it is jammed in the lever assy from what I call "dry shifting". "Dry shifting" is operating the shifter / derailler mechanisms when not on the bike riding. Usually it happens when the bike is not being rode and someone tries the shifter .
Be gentle, The levers are not happy with aggressive forceful action.
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