I give up, totally messed up gearing

[jonny jeez]

Cheers Jonny, I haven't got a stand or anyway of holding the bike up. I've been thinking about one for a couple of months now.
That video certainly makes it look easy, I may get one now?

I picked my first obe up from amazon for about £20...its the single most used tool that I have in the workshop...i actually have two now, one that I can sit at for cleaning that lifts the rear wheel off the ground a tad.

Everything is so much simpler at eye level with free turning wheels.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hey wormo, I'm thinking about getting a stand and doing it myself.
The initial outlay will cover the stand, and then use your Guy for more involved work.

Also, if you get stuck, or something doesn't work how it should, look at the mechanical section of the cyclechat forum...those guys never sleep and manage to offer proper...in the moment advice..

https://www.cyclechat.net/forums/bicycle-maintenance-mechanics-and-repairs.37/

 

[Globalti]

Your cables haven't stretched; what has happened is that the outer cable where it curves round to the rear derailleur has got worn or dirty or rusted inside by water penetration, making adjustment impossible. Go to a bike shop and get them to cut you half a dozen pieces the same length. Fit one and you'll be amazed at the improvement in shifting and confounded at how long you allowed it to go on for.

It's also possible that your derailleur hanger is bent. You will never get the shifting right if that's the case. Don't try to straighten it; they are designed to snap sacrificially. Buy two new ones and keep one in a safe place.

 

[Globalti]

Also like to turn the bike upside down (stand on handlebars and saddle) when washing, find it much easier to remove the wheels and get to all the bits underneath.
I do use pieces of foam on the hoods and an old saddle cover to protect them from getting damaged though!

NEVER wash a bicycle upside-down. Water will run into the top and bottom headset bearings and rust them.

 

[PaulSecteur]

On a barely used bike?

On some bikes (i dont know if the OPs bike is a bso or team issue pinnarello), the ones that are more cost focussed -cheaper - can have cheaper components that rust or fray quicker, even after just a few wet rides. So in some cases yes, newish and infrequently used bike benefit from replacing the inners and outers.

Just my 2p.

 

[Wetdog]

I would say that the bike hasn't done a thousand miles yet. I've done my runs on it and the previous owner about a hundred, if that. Coming to about 800 miles and very little in the rain. The bike is like new, which is what gives me the first idea about being used.

I think I have made up my mind and will go for a stand, god forbid, and will try it myself.
I thank you all for the help, you all have done well again and I am thankful.

 

[vickster]

What is the bike? Had it sat in a shed with the previous owner?

 

[Wetdog]

It's a Cannondale Caad 10, and can be seen in the previous owners bedroom or spare room. It was allegedly always kept in here. And I don't doubt it as he paid a fortune for it, £1399.

I've got the gears something like now, so I'm off out on it and a think.

 

[mjr]

(waits for report of it being slightly wrong when shifting under load...)

 

[Dave7]

hi guys, as the title says I've given up trying to sort my gears, out on a ride yesterday and they were awful. So I'm asking for the local guys to give me their experience and suggest a shop to nip into to, and a price.
I live in Warrington, so it should be easy for you to come up with a shop.
I think it's to do with the age of the bike, not being very old and hardly used I think the cables have stretched.
Cheers.

Cycle house & Spencers (Orford Lane) are both excellent e.g. I took my bike to Spencer's with a problem. Alex (the mechanic) took it for a short ride and immediately identified the cause.........quick fix...........no charge.
NB......don't bother with the owner or his sister (they are useless & inherited this from their well known Dad)
Cyclehouse........sorted my "sore bum" problem with a short bike fit and new saddle...............no charge (apart from the saddle of course)

 

[Wetdog]

The gears are intermittent, what you could get last time you can't have this time and it misses or gives no indication of chenging. It makes no odds on going up or down or what big ring your in.

 

[Globalti]

Like I wrote above, those are the classic symptoms of a knackered rear derailleur cable outer. When you take it off you'll be amazed at the manky mess of grit and rust on the steel reinforcement ends under the ferrules.

While you've got it off you might as well replace the inner cable as well; use a quality Shimano cable not something el cheapo. And get the bike shop to check the derailleur alignment, i.e. the hanger for straightness.

 

[GuyBoden]

Like I wrote above, those are the classic symptoms of a knackered rear derailleur cable outer. When you take it off you'll be amazed at the manky mess of grit and rust on the steel reinforcement ends under the ferrules.

While you've got it off you might as well replace the inner cable as well; use a quality Shimano cable not something el cheapo. And get the bike shop to check the derailleur alignment, i.e. the hanger for straightness.

Yes, change the cables.

I'm in Warrington, I nearly always change all the cables on used bikes I buy. Send me a PM if you don't get it fixed.

 

[mjr]

While you've got it off you might as well replace the inner cable as well; use a quality Shimano cable not something el cheapo.

I'd stick to branded, but most Shimano consumables seem expensive for their quality. Jagwire seem pretty good and pretty cheap.

 

[slowmotion]

That rear derailleur adjustment video is really good. I never managed to find an equivalent for the front derailleur adjustment but this one is pretty good. It's for Campagnolo gears but I think the principles hold good for other makes.

http://thebiketube.com/tutorials/how-adjust-campagnolo-front-derailleurs