I just got my Reno and have been riding it non-stop, I am getting use to the shifting on it but I had a question. When I am on the big chain ring, the guy at the shop told me to due a "half shift" when I here a certain noise. What exactly is this doing, everytime I due this I look down and I don't see anything change.

Does the noise go away?

You can push the shifter 'one click' and it shifts the derailleur just a bit. The noise is the chain rubbing against it. To shift down to the small ring will then just require a small push on the shifter. You may need to turn the barrel adjustor on your cable just a bit.

Remember, when on the big ring up front, stay off the big ring in the rear. And when on the small ring up front, stay off the smallest ring on the rear. These two positions have the chain at its most diagonal and cause excessive wear.

Also, when rolling up to the coffee shop, always have the chain on the big ring in the front and the small gear in the back.

You want to do these "half shifts" when your front derailleur is rubbing your chain. It happens as you move up and down your cassette. When you do those little "half shifts" it should be moving your FD over slightly, which should eliminate chain rub. Hope that helps a little.

Nick

edit: Blast, Bbattle beat me to it.

Thanks for the help guys, I just got back from a quick ride and I did notice the chain rubbing against something, I think it is because I had the chain on small/small and big/big. Also, while I was riding some guy who is the president of the local bike group saw me in his mini van and asked if I would like to join the group, and he also needed a riding budy. So the moral of this story is yes, good things do happen when you call work and tell them you are going to be late, and then you go ride your bike!

I noticed on the last two rides that I have what looks to be grease from the chain on my right calf. Do I need to adjust my pedals to make up for this. Today I came home and I came home and looked at my leg and it was covered in grease/blood. I don't remember scrathcing it on anything, I guess I am rubbing something.

I have this noise when I'm riding the big gear up front, and in a few of the higher ratios when I'm in the smaller great in front. This noise is pretty annoying, esp in a group ride when its all quiet but me, and I imagine this extra friction can only be slowing me down.

Is there a way to adjust the front derailleur to get rid of it?

Maybe your calves are bigger than Cypress'?

What you were doing is called cross chaining - when you have it in both big rings. Not recommended. It is almost impossible to adjust a derailler not to rub when you do that.

The LBS guy told you to do a half shift because that adjusts the derailler so it won't rub on the chain.

The adjustment of the rear/front derailers can ONLY be done by pushing the BRAKE handle inward one click. The shifter located right behind the brake handle does not have this capability. So if it's rubbing against the LEFT side of the front derailer, tough luck - there's nothing you can do. (Also, my ultegra rear derailer can adjust with one click, but not sure if 105's or tiagra/sora can)

NOTE: This refers to Shimano only.

Sooooooo you're lovin' that Reno ehhh Mike? Have you posted a picture of it yet? If not get one up there. It is such bad form to get a new bike and talk about it without posting a pic of it in the "what road bike do you have" thread. That will be 3 demerits for you .

Cheers,

Brian

BTW: LeMonds rock!!

Grease on your calf is called a 'Rookie Mark' and you get bonus points if it's on your left leg. You're touching the chain with your calf, and probably not when you're pedaling. However, some pedals have 'float' which allows your foot to rotate on the pedal, and you may be floating yourself into your chain without knowing it. It's pretty hard to do, and you're pedaling like a duck if it happens often. Point your toes the way the bike's going, and you'll be good to go.

Good one!

[QUOTE=baj32161]Sooooooo you're lovin' that Reno ehhh Mike? Have you posted a picture of it yet? If not get one up there. It is such bad form to get a new bike and talk about it without posting a pic of it in the "what road bike do you have" thread. That will be 3 demerits for you .

Yes I have posted a picture of the bike, but here is anouther one just for the heck of it!

These are picutres of my baby on her birthday Sunday, when I brought her home!

I tried this out on my lunch break... thanks a ton !