Front deraieur problems
#2
Mechanic/Tourist
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,522
Likes: 12
From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.
The first and most important problem is at the back end of the screwdriver. What you are asking - if you are serious - is not too different than saying "My car won't start, what do you think is wrong
Either take the bike to a shop, a knowledgeable friend or do a LOT of studying of the Sheldon Brown and Park Tool sites, following the procedures from start to finish. Then, if you have remaining problems, come back to the forum with a full explanation of what you have done and what problems remain. Using proper terminology and spelling will gain you the same respect you give by doing so.
Either take the bike to a shop, a knowledgeable friend or do a LOT of studying of the Sheldon Brown and Park Tool sites, following the procedures from start to finish. Then, if you have remaining problems, come back to the forum with a full explanation of what you have done and what problems remain. Using proper terminology and spelling will gain you the same respect you give by doing so.
#3
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Cny-bikeman is being unusually cranky this evening.
But he has a point. Like when you see a doctor, the quality of the diagnosis is 100% dependent on the quality of the information provided. We can't see your bike, you need to say exactly what is or isn't happening, what you've tried so far (if anything) whether it's a fairly new bike, or months since it saw a mechanic, index or friction shifting, and whether the problem started suddenly, or has been getting worse over time.
That's for starters, either that or let someone see the bike itself so he's not dependent on your description.
If you mechanically inclined to some degree, take Cny's advice and check out some tutorials. Besides the ones he mentioned, you can find dozens simply by typing "adjust front derailleur" or something similar into your favorite search engine.
But he has a point. Like when you see a doctor, the quality of the diagnosis is 100% dependent on the quality of the information provided. We can't see your bike, you need to say exactly what is or isn't happening, what you've tried so far (if anything) whether it's a fairly new bike, or months since it saw a mechanic, index or friction shifting, and whether the problem started suddenly, or has been getting worse over time.
That's for starters, either that or let someone see the bike itself so he's not dependent on your description.
If you mechanically inclined to some degree, take Cny's advice and check out some tutorials. Besides the ones he mentioned, you can find dozens simply by typing "adjust front derailleur" or something similar into your favorite search engine.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#4
Mechanic/Tourist
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,522
Likes: 12
From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.
I thought of editing for less "crankiness" but then noticed 22 previous posts, many with a similar pattern of not bothering to work on a problem or give full info.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 679
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta
What happens when you try?
If there is no resistance on the cable when you shift and the derailleur doesn't move, the set screw is probably loose on the shifter cable.
Have a good look at everything between the shifter and the derailleur while you try shifting. You'll probably notice something that isn't right.
There are plenty of other possibilities like adjustment, but more communication would help avoid listing them all.
If there is no resistance on the cable when you shift and the derailleur doesn't move, the set screw is probably loose on the shifter cable.
Have a good look at everything between the shifter and the derailleur while you try shifting. You'll probably notice something that isn't right.
There are plenty of other possibilities like adjustment, but more communication would help avoid listing them all.
Last edited by Closed Office; 06-10-12 at 08:49 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,848
Likes: 4
It is annoying to see those posts asking for stuff because nobody here is a darn fore teller. In many professions is the samething... the guys just arrive "saying it doesn't work! fix it!" and they can't even tell you what they were doing, what doesn't work in specific, what they did and what process did not happen. Even the guy can fix something obviously not working that was not what the guys complaining about the 1st time, just because the guy did not have the idea of giving details. It is just annoying, that's why I couldn't work in a shop. LBS have to pull up with a lot of this ones in a regular day to day... good for them 
OP you need to add details man.

OP you need to add details man.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 326
From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Insufficient cable tension, clamp-on front derailleur wasn't tightened enough so it slipped vertically and the outer cage no longer clears the big ring, broken brake/shift lever, something else.
#8
Mechanic/Tourist
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,522
Likes: 12
From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.
Yes, and derailleur too high or rotated, too long BB spindle installed, fixed cup backed out, cable clamp slipped, limit screw tightened too much, too big a difference between large and small rings, worn deraileur cage or pivots, rusted cable housing, frayed/unravelled cable, kinked housing, crushed ferrule, end of cable caught in derailleur, badly worn chain, derailleur rusted in place, missing housing ferrule, slipped housing stop, wrong derailleur for chainwheel combination, too much tension when shifting, pedaling too slowly when shifting and probably something else I have not thought of. In my career I have see every one of the above cause a failure to shift to a larger chainwheel. Perhaps now the OP sees the problem with providing too little information.
Last edited by cny-bikeman; 06-10-12 at 10:10 PM.
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