Front derailleur shifting issue-Help please

[midliferider]

I have a road bike with triple chainring with Shimano 105 shifters. I recently replaced cable and finding it difficult to get the correct tune/ adjustments.

It shifts upwards without an issue.
The issue is downshifting. When on the largest cog, with one click, it jumps down the smallest cog avoiding the middle one. Then I will shift upwards to the middle one and carry on.
Then it is reluctant to go down to the smallest cog when I really want it to go.
Could both issues related to the same problem?
My suspicion is that cable is too tight?

I have watched nearly 5 hours of YouTube videos but this situation is unique and I can't find a way to fix it. Any suggestions/ views?

 

[Way-Out-West]

I have a road bike with triple chainring with Shimano 105 shifters. I recently replaced cable and finding it difficult to get the correct tune/ adjustments.

It shifts upwards without an issue.
The issue is downshifting. When on the largest cog, with one click, it jumps down the smallest cog avoiding the middle one. Then I will shift upwards to the middle one and carry on.
Then it is reluctant to go down to the smallest cog when I really want it to go.
Could both issues related to the same problem?
My suspicion is that cable is too tight?

I have watched nearly 5 hours of YouTube videos but this situation is unique and I can't find a way to fix it. Any suggestions/ views?

If the front shifter (L) has trim positions make sure the cable is installed when the shifter is set to its lowest position ie an extra down shift. Also is the cable clamped on the correct side of the bolt?

 

[midliferider]

If the front shifter (L) has trim positions make sure the cable is installed when the shifter is set to its lowest position ie an extra down shift. Also is the cable clamped on the correct side of the bolt?

Thanks. Yes the cable is clamped on the correct side of the bolt. I discovered that after wasting couple of cables. Funny that YouTube videos don't emphasise that!
I will reinstall the cable and see.

 

[Big John]

I've never mastered front mech adjustment and I've tried all sorts over the years. I've ended up using 'in-line' adjusters in the past and they helped. I've had the same symptoms as you and it took an age to resolve and for the life of me I can't remember what the actual cause was. Try an in-line barrel adjuster if nothing else works (that's assuming you haven't already got one).

 

[oxoman]

Sounds like to tight a cable. Possibly also set up with trim engaged i.e half a click out.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

I've ended up using 'in-line' adjusters in the past and they helped

In line adjusters are near essential for front and rear derailleurs IMO.

This issue sounds weird though, like cable routing awry, or the earlier disproved suggestion of wrong side of the bolt.

Perhaps the FD took a knock during this process and angle and/or height are wrong?

 

[midliferider]

Well, I think I have sorted it. I started it from the beginning with a new cable. I do have a cable adjuster. It is now sorted. It looks like the issue was limit screw.
Sometimes I feel that I should have simply taken it to local bike shop. But then where is the fun!

 

[oxoman]

To be honest I've found a lot of younger bike mechanics can't set up triples. I love my triple roadbike, also 105. Ideal for my touring / comutte bike.

 

[cyberknight]

glad you got it sorted as its always the easy jobs that turn out to be the ones that can be a pain in the ass .

 

[Mike_P]

Triples definitely a pain in the backside. My crude but effective bodge to use a suitable piece of wood to hold the derailleur with the chain on the largest chainwheel, maje sure the gear lever is set for that chainwheel and then tighten the tensioned cable

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Triples definitely a pain in the backside. My crude but effective bodge to use a suitable piece of wood to hold the derailleur with the chain on the largest chainwheel, maje sure the gear lever is set for that chainwheel and then tighten the tensioned cable

Not sure why there's a need to do this, not why it would be any different to setting up a double?

 

[Mike_P]

Not sure why there's a need to do this, not why it would be any different to setting up a double?

Its all too easy to overtension so that whilst the chaib slips neatly onto the two smaller chainrings there is too much tension in the cable for the larger chainwheel position.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Its all too easy to overtension so that whilst the chaib slips neatly onto the two smaller chainrings there is too much tension in the cable for the larger chainwheel position.

More tension will move the derailleur further over to the large chainring, surely? And again, this is no different on a double?? And an inline adjuster allows easy post hoc tuning of tension anyway.

I'm lost, but no matter.

 

[raleighnut]

There is only one way to set up a triple, when the middle cog is selected the cage should sit centrally over that sprocket

 

[Mike_P]

More tension will move the derailleur further over to the large chainring, surely? And again, this is no different on a double?? And an inline adjuster allows easy post hoc tuning of tension anyway.

I'm lost, but no matter.

No you can easilly get it that the tension is too much. If you haven't tried to tweak a triple it is a lot more an issue than double.