Almost There!

BidwellStatue · 07-09-10, 03:43 PM

OldDer..jpg
In bad shape
OldDerToothGone..jpg
Worse than I thought
Parts..jpg
Maybe I can use some screws
NewDerSide..jpg
NewDerBack..jpg
Chain doesn't fall off anymore! The hardest part was adjusting it, the whole thing only took a couple hours. It's so nice to go see $2000 bikes with the same derailleur I got for 80 bucks.

Luke52 · 07-09-10, 04:53 PM

Just so you know, Shimano 'Shadow' derailleurs aren't supposed to have a barrell adjuster on the derailleur body.

On top of that, you want to invest $3 in a new cable...

Maybe it's my eyes playing tricks on me, but from those pictures it kind of looks like you've used the same, frayed cable you originally had. You may also wish to look into getting that last bit of outer cable trimmed down a bit. I know when I went from my original, older Deore XT to a newer SLX Shadow, I had to get a shorter bit of outer cable for it too.

BidwellStatue · 07-09-10, 06:08 PM

Yeah I have a cable puller coming in the mail so I can put a new cable in.

Luke52 · 07-09-10, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BidwellStatue

Yeah I have a cable puller coming in the mail so I can put a new cable in.

Highly unnecessary for this job.

Just click the shifter into the highest gear, releasing all cable tension. Obviously allow the derailleur to shift into the highest gear. Turn the barrel adjuster all the way IN (clockwise). Disconnect the old cable, and remove it.

Guide the new cable through, pull it firmly through the anchor bolt, and tighten the anchor bolt.

Personally I've found the Shimano Shadow derailleurs VERY easy to adjust. If you pull the cable through firmly, you should only need one or two turns of the barrel adjuster to get it shifting smoothly. On one or two instances I've actually pulled the cable through firmly enough to get the tension spot-on the first time.

A cable-puller is one of those tools which while being nice and handy to have, is fairly unnecessary for things like derailleurs.

For things like brakes and whatnot I understand that, as you need to hold the brakes, pull the cable through, and tighten the bolt all in one. But for derailleurs, it's really not needed, as the derailleur holds itself in place.

mondaycurse · 07-09-10, 11:43 PM

I'm experiencing the exact opposite right now. I can normally install derailleurs with no trouble, but my new X7 (replacing my old X7) is driving me insane.

Luke52 · 07-09-10, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mondaycurse

I'm experiencing the exact opposite right now. I can normally install derailleurs with no trouble, but my new X7 (replacing my old X7) is driving me insane.

What's the problem, mate?

BidwellStatue · 07-10-10, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke52

Highly unnecessary for this job.

Just click the shifter into the highest gear, releasing all cable tension. Obviously allow the derailleur to shift into the highest gear. Turn the barrel adjuster all the way IN (clockwise). Disconnect the old cable, and remove it.

Guide the new cable through, pull it firmly through the anchor bolt, and tighten the anchor bolt.

Personally I've found the Shimano Shadow derailleurs VERY easy to adjust. If you pull the cable through firmly, you should only need one or two turns of the barrel adjuster to get it shifting smoothly. On one or two instances I've actually pulled the cable through firmly enough to get the tension spot-on the first time.

A cable-puller is one of those tools which while being nice and handy to have, is fairly unnecessary for things like derailleurs.

For things like brakes and whatnot I understand that, as you need to hold the brakes, pull the cable through, and tighten the bolt all in one. But for derailleurs, it's really not needed, as the derailleur holds itself in place.

Well since it's coming I'll wait until I get it to put it in. The cable housing right out of the derailer is cut up on the bend, so I have to replace that too. Do I need a special cable housing for it? Can I just get generic housing?

Luke52 · 07-10-10, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BidwellStatue

Well since it's coming I'll wait until I get it to put it in. The cable housing right out of the derailer is cut up on the bend, so I have to replace that too. Do I need a special cable housing for it? Can I just get generic housing?

As long as it's SHIFT housing. Derailluer and brake cable housing/outers are different. For an emergency fix, you could get away with using brake cable for shift cable (But most certainly NOT the other way around) but it's not an emergency in this case, so just do the job properly, and you'll only have to do it once, and shouldn't have to touch it again until it's new cable time.