i know that this is cross chaining but is it possible to have the front gears in gear 1 and the back in 7

Yeah.

but when i try to do it it just never gets there

then your shifting is off.

what do you mean by that

You should be able to go to any gear combination, that just means your derailleur is not properly adjusted

so can anyone just give me step by step instructions

Go to the Park Tools website via the link below. Follow the steps in the order given and you should solve your problem.

https://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

Doc

do i go to the front derailer part

Well try going to both. What happens when you try to put the geras in 1 x 7? Its probably a rear derailleur thing.

let me just ask this, what does the front derailer's two adjustment screws physically move, like what can i see moving when i turn it

the two screws are the limit screws, they limit how far the derailleur cage can travel so it doesnt take your chain off the gears. The park website has the answers to these questions, sheldron brown also has these things with great detail.

The limit screws once correctly set never need readjustment so generally you'll be better off if you leave those alone.

Frankly, if the only thing wrong with your shifting is that you can't access the smallest rear cog when you're in the smallest front chainring, I'd say that you are far more likely to make it worse than better. Why would you want that gear anyway? In addition to the cross chaining thing, that same ratio can be obtained by some other combination anyway.

but my question is that if i move the screw will i physically see a part move. and i am also asking this because of chain rub

and another thing is that i cant understand a lot of what the website is talking about

Then take it to a bike shop and have them explain it to you.

i know but the problem is that its pretty far away and the car is too small to place it in

Most of the time if you adjust the limit screws, you won't see anything elso move. After you do that, however, you may find that either you can't shift into either the largest or smallest chainring on your bike, or that you overshift the chainring and the chain comes off.

When you adjust your front deailleur, it is important to make all of the adjustments in the correct sequence. My best advice is to access the Park Tool website and follow their detailed instructions to the letter.

You are going to have to weigh up the cost of:

A: Finding a way to get the bike to an LBS to get the job properly.

B: Listening but not understanding what is said here and:

B1: getting it right (unlikely)

B2: Getting it wrong and having the chain come of and jam between the chainstay and smallest cog. This may very well end up with a bent chain, and at the very least total frustration which will lead you back to Item A above.

I cannot understand why anyone would entertain you trying to ride in the small ring/small cog. It's not done except by incompetent bike riders. Do you really want to label yourself as incompetent as both a bike rider and bike mechanic?

Then you need to take it to a bike shop.Hopefully one that works on mart bikes. It doesn't get much plainer than park tool.

He only asked if it was possible.The answer is yes it's possible if things are set up right.But it shouldn't be ridden that way.

He is running parallel threads here, and in both cases has been given sound advice on going to a bike shop. And he still persists with whiney questions that indicate he hasn't a clue. Full stop.

wow, comonn give this guy a break. Maybe hes just a newb looking for answers. you were once too.
as far as ive noticed, nobody has given Kevin the right advice.
even though it WAS kindof a dumb question, the answer is this, Kevin:
You should NEVER ever need to go into this gear... it creates too much side to side cross pressure on the chain. it makes noise and limits your shifting.
the idea is to keep your shifting centered as much as possible.
if you ever are going up a 45 degree climb, and you must be in the granny ring and the little cog (that you speak of) try shifting to the middle ring and a medium cog instead before that climb, and build some cadence (pedal your arse off), its about the same gearing physically, and its better on your chain, also giving you more options in giving you more gears to shift up or down to.
(if you drive manual, a good analogy is its like going 20 mph in 1st, so shift!)

ALSO i hope people know you are supposed to shift up before a climb, not during. All this is learned if you do a tour or do alot of road cycling.

Phantomcow you gave poor advice here in my opinion. but who am i. im clueless about your cliques here, im here to share what i know and learn, thats all

The "right advice", if you want, is for him to enrol in a bike course so he can become competent in both riding technique and knowledge of his bike's components. THAT is the right advice for him.

okok i just read that parallel thread .. sorry to jump the gun..

Kevin, get off your arse, put some air in your tires, and ride to the bike shop, no matter how far.. RIDE MAN, RIDE it!

Plan B? Take a trip to the library, youll be surprised what books you can find there on the subject of bike maintenance if you MUST learn to do this yourself.

good luck on your mission, weve done what we can here.