Indexing setup problem, help?
 

Hi there,

I have been been tyring to set up rear indexing on my bike for about two to three weeks. I have always rode with friciton, so this is a new thing for me. Whatever I do, I cannot get the derailleur to grab the last two cogs on my nine speed setup. Granted, the last cog isnt really used on the largest chainring, but it would be nice to have the smaller one. The problem is, I always get to about the 7th largest cog and run out of barrel adjuster!

If I adjust the limit screws I can grab it, but that effectively makes my cassette an 8 speed rather than a 9. It works fine with friction....why I cant I get it to grab in index! Argggh! Thanks.

Maybe you're using an MTB cassette with a road rear derailleur?

1. Is everything what it's supposed to be? Does your derailleur match your cassette? Does your shifter have the same number of clicks as you have gears? Has your derailleur hanger alignment been checked?

2. Park tool is your friend. Pull up the instructions for setting up a rear derailleur. Disconnect your shift cable and start at the very beginning with the high limit screw adjustment. Do the steps in order.

You know, I have done that with parktool and a number of other sites. I own Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance and have followed those instructions too. I dont know what I am doing wrong...I keep running out of barrel adjuster.

Are the shifter and sprockets the same make and for the same number of gears?

You didn't mention part 1. Are you sure that everything matches? If you're starting with parts that don't match or are damaged, no amount of cable tension fiddling is going to fix it.

I just retuned a rear indexing 8-speed. I couldnt shift from the smallest cog unless I clicked twice with the shifter.

My problem was cable tension with the adjuster. Zinn's book helped me with that and now its running sweetly. Tension has gotta be pretty close with 8's, and spot on with 9/10-speed rears.

Jim

Well, Friction shifting covereth over a multitude of sins.

It seems to me that you may be using incompatable parts. Get back to us with more info on that.

Provided all the parts are good, think about your rear der hanger alignment.
You can eyeball it by looking from the rear of the bike, but you may be better off having your TBS (trusted bike shop) spend a moment with a hanger alignment gauge.

Be sure that the shifter is in its lowest position (work the small shift lever several times), with all of the slack out of the cable before attaching the cable to the derailleur.

Run the barrel adjuster most of the way in (clockwise) before attaching the cable.

Be sure the cable is properly attached to the derailleur.

Al

Yeah, the clicks are the same. Parts are Shimano XT all around except for the sugino crankset. The shifters are Shimano barcons. I will get back to you all when I have a chance to try a couple of the other things you mentioned.