Can I do derailleur adjustments with my bike upside down?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 438
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale SuperSix - 1998 CAAD3 R500 - 2012 Demo 8 Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Can I do derailleur adjustments with my bike upside down?
I don't have a stand, so I've been flipping my bike upside down. Is this going to throw off tension or anything that will compromise the tune?
#5
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,799
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1159 Post(s)
Liked 832 Times
in
553 Posts
I used to hang mine from the rafters in the basement. Much easier the right way up.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#8
Senior Member
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 499
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times
in
36 Posts
Works best if you stand on your head.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lake Claire, GA
Posts: 802
Bikes: 2008 Giant TCR Advanced
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Never flip your bike upside down. this is quickest way to ruin you seat, shifters and bars. get a rope and a tree, if you cant afford a stand.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: western Massachusetts (greater Springfield area)
Posts: 672
Bikes: Velosolex St. Tropez, LeMond Zurich (spine bike), Rotator swb recumbent
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 53 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 41 Times
in
22 Posts
Only if you can do them when the bike is rightside up.

#17
Serious Cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308
Bikes: Emonda SL6
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 260 Times
in
98 Posts
Assuming you're doing this indoors, how does it "ruin" a seat, shifters, and bars? The forces you put through all of those components while riding are far greater than anything the bike encounters when being flipped upside down...
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: chicago
Posts: 781
Bikes: cannondale crit 3.0, specialized allez, old giant mtb/hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a stand and I still flip my bikes over. Best way to put your wheels back in too.
#19
Senior Member