Problem with front derailleur
 

Hey everyone I just got my first bike last July, havn't rid it much, but in my time riding I've noticed that the shifting wasn't good. When I shift to the big cog up front I have to click the shifter twice (it doesn't work the first time) and when I shift the back cogs, it'll shift two gears on one click, or sometimes not shift when I click it, and as I ride up a hill, it'll jump two cogs without me shifting.

I looked at my bike yesterday, and it now turns out that :
-my front derailleur is touching my chain when on big cog
-it's harder to pedal, and also chain rubs against derailleur
-when I turn left or right screw no matter where or how much, the derailleur doesn't move, and my screw is wrecked (the top is all chewed up so I can't put screwdriver in it)

If the bike is only a few months old then this kind of issue is normal. Cables 'stretch' as a normal component of the bikes break-in period. If you bought the bike at a bike shop they likely give you a first tune-up included in the purchase price.


Also, stop playing with the screws. I don't know what it is about limit screws that makes people think they can fix whatever problem, but they are generally set properly when the bike is new and seldom, if ever, need to be adjusted.

1. Limit screws aren't designed to move the derailleur directly. Once correctly set, they seldom require re-adjustment.

2. Park Tool is your friend. Their website includes easy-to-understand step-by-step instructions for most bicycle assembly, maintenance and tuneing jobs.

3. Whenever a front derailleur refuses to perform to satisfaction after being futzed with for awhile, my recommendation is to start over from the very beginning. Disconnect the shift cable from the derailleur. Now find the Park Tool instructions for installing a front derailleur and START FROM THE VERY BEGINNING with the position of the derailleur on the seat tube. Follow all of the steps in order because each step affects the subsequent steps.

Good luck!