Rear derailleur not shifting to smallest cog.

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tom73

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Following on form last nights ride showed the gears needed a bit of indexing.

On closer inspection and after the normal barrel and limit screw adjustment tricks to get shifting to the smallest cog the shifter has no more clicks left either. But still will not move to the smallest cog.

Any other trick to try?
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
Following on form last nights ride showed the gears needed a bit of indexing.

On closer inspection and after the normal barrel and limit screw adjustment tricks to get shifting to the smallest cog the shifter has no more clicks left either. But still will not move to the smallest cog.

Any other trick to try?


Start again from scratch by following the instructions on this video

 

screenman

Legendary Member
I always start from the beginning when tuning rear mechs, check the hanger alignment first. Although this is unlikely to be your problem, but if that is out you will never get them as good as you might.
 

berty bassett

Legendary Member
Location
I'boro
if everything is undone and limit screw correct it will go into small cog as it is spring loaded - its the only gear you can guarantee getting ! if you cant get it and limit screw is right , then it must be the cable too tight or stuck -- i think - good luck :smile:
 
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OP
tom73

tom73

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Rear mechs looks to be true by eye not had any damage. Not ruling it out though.
Dirty cables they are internal and not quite 1 year old. Is it likely they need a bit of a clean ?
Stuck cable that don't sound good If it is how you fix that one?
It is shifting into all the others ok just need a little more indexing to be spot on.
 
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raleighnut

Legendary Member
Rear mechs looks to be true by eye not had any damage. Not ruling it out though.
Dirty cables they are internal and not quite 1 year old. Is it likely they need a bit of a clean ?
Stuck cable that don't sound good If it is how you fix that one?
It is shifting into all the others ok just need a little more indexing to be spot on.
You've gone the wrong way with the barrel adjuster I think, a slack cable will drop into 'top'
 
Put the bike into the highest gear ( smallest sprocket ) you can get it to. Then release the pinch bolt. Screw the indexing barrel in as far as it will go with the cable released. Give the cable a tug, re clamp
It in the mech, and start the process again. Think ‘clock out’ ( clockwise moves the mech towards the stays) , ‘counter in (telligence)’ the mech moves towards the wheel as you turn the adjuster counter clockwise. As far as the limit screws go. Start by screwing them both fully in, then move the mech by hand and watch to see where the jockey wheels are in relation to the sprockets at the stops. As you wind the L screw out, the mech will get closer to the wheel, as you push the ‘hinged’ section down. as you wind the H screw out, the mech will settle closer to the chain stay as you release the hinged section.
 
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OP
tom73

tom73

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Well thanks guys I've had another play around not sure what worked but it all looks to be working again and indexing worked a treat. Now have a full set of gears again. Only a ride will really show if it's running smoothly. Be a shame not after all this ;)
@ianrauk that clip is great makes it all look and sound so simple.
 

si_c

Guru
Location
Wirral
Put the bike into the highest gear ( smallest sprocket ) you can get it to. Then release the pinch bolt. Screw the indexing barrel in as far as it will go with the cable released. Give the cable a tug, re clamp
It in the mech, and start the process again. Think ‘clock out’ ( clockwise moves the mech towards the stays) , ‘counter in (telligence)’ the mech moves towards the wheel as you turn the adjuster counter clockwise. As far as the limit screws go. Start by screwing them both fully in, then move the mech by hand and watch to see where the jockey wheels are in relation to the sprockets at the stops. As you wind the L screw out, the mech will get closer to the wheel, as you push the ‘hinged’ section down. as you wind the H screw out, the mech will settle closer to the chain stay as you release the hinged section.

Pretty much this. You can double check your limit screws before hand if you have the bike in a workstand by shifting to the smallest gear, and then releasing the clamp bolt. You can then move the derailleur by hand in or out to check the limit screws.
 
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