I have a MTB triple on my hybrid. I've always had issues with the fd (suntour piece of crap). I just replaced my shifter cables with some Jagwire L3 cable housings and Jagwire inner cables. The shop I took the bike+cables to, to get the cables cut down to size (my only cable cutters are a really old pair of ****s) helped me get the derailleurs adjusted. On their workstand, the fd was able to cycle between all 3 chainrings. While riding, I noticed I couldn't go from the outer chainring to the middle, so I messed with the barrel adjuster. I got it to shift from the outer chainring to the middle (my two most used rings), but not from middle to inner ring. I remember a while back when I was climbing a large hill in the summer, I was not able to use the inner chainring. How do I fix this? Do I adjust the limit screws?

FWIW, I have a 28-38-48t crankset, and my FD is this one: https://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/ind...tail&tnid=2725.

Actually, come to think of it, I don't think I've ever used the inner chainring. But I'd like to have the ability to use it.

Could be the inner limit screw is maladjusted. Could be the cable is too tight to allow FD to move far enough inboard. Not likely, but could be that the bottom bracket spindle is too short and the FD cage can't retract far enough to reach the inner ring. Could probably be other things, too, but I can't think of what at the moment. It's a little perplexing that the bike shifted fine on the stand, but is so far out of whack on the road.

Well, I have been having issues with some play in the bb (5mm to either side, maximum), so maybe the spindle shifted one direction a little bit too much. Once I get the bb fixed, maybe it will fix the problem with the fd. I will wait to adjust the fd until I get the bb tightened up.

limit screw just keeps it from going too far in the inside and outside.

You got the cable replaced, ,it stretched initially .
your shop should help take the new slack out.

or DIY , shift to low , see if the cable is floppy.

FD are simple things , but placement on the round tube does present operator error

on installation, height and rotation on a round tube is not pre set.

i would get the bb issues fixed before messing with the fd. waste of times messing with the fd when the crank moves around

+1 5mm of play to either side isn't trivial. If the FD adjustment was set when the BB spindle was 5mm to the right of center, and the spindle is now 5mm to the left of center, your inner chainring is an entire centimeter inboard from where it was. Even if the movement has been less extreme than that, this could explain the problem. Fix the BB, and then deal with the FD.

It's less than 5mm (probably even less than 3mm), but I can't really measure it. I'll be going to the bike co-op this week before my last ride of the season (on Sunday) to tighten up the bb (or replace the bearings if they are severely worn).

damn 5mm side to side! lol. your FD shifting problem needs to take a back seat lol. but yeah loosen that limit screw

Just got back from the co-op. One of the volunteer mechanics helped me remove the cranks, tighten the BB, reinstall the cranks and adjust the fd. Works great now. BTW, the play in the bb was around 1.5mm or less.

I love happy endings. (Wipes tears from eyes.) Seriously, though, I'm glad it worked out.

Me too. The co-op is a great place! I will be donating my mom's old Huffy and volunteering there as a way to say thanks. Plus, I also need 18 volunteer hours for school and it would be great to get a great skillset and volunteer hours at the same time.