Trouble shifing to smallest chainring

[jeltz]

Sorry I'm sure its been asked before but I couldn't pull it up on a search.

My triple is having a little trouble shifting to the smallest chain ring. I think its most likely cable tension rather than H/L settings.

Could someone remind me if it would typically need tightening or loosening (using barrel adjuster) to resolve.

 

[I_S]

I'm suffering the same after changing the cassette, chain & chain rings. When the tension is removed from the front cable the mech will change down.

 

[fossyant]

How old are the cables and outers......change them - could be cable drag as well as H/L adjustment.

 

[jeltz]

The bikes only a few weeks old, mail order so not an option to pop back to the shop

The LBS would be happy enough to look at it, but I figure its something I ought to know.

 

[Plax]

The cable tension might not be right. Put the chain on the largest sprocket at the back and the smallest chain ring at the front. Undo the bolt clamp holding the cable and then get rid of any extra slack before tightening the bolt clamp back up.
Try this tutorial;
http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-front-derailer/

 

[Trumpettom001]

If all the other gears are in good order, then I'd have said that it's the L-H limit screws...
Try:

loosening the H screw, by about half a turn, see if it makes a difference. If not then re-tighten it by half a turn, and twist the barrel adjuster clockwise seen from the outer cable's point of view, and see if this helps..

 

[ColinJ]

I had the same problem recently. I fixed it by rotating the front (band-on) derailleur a few degrees clockwise (looking down on it). I overdid it at first and then I couldn't get the chain up to the big ring. I've found a position in between which seems to work well enough.

 

[dan_bo]

Drag the bike by the scruff of it's neck into a field in the dead of night and put two bullets into the back of it's head. That should send out the right message.

 

[tandemman]

don't try slackening off the band on type mech unless you are on the smallest chainwheel or cable tension will pull it down the seat tube

 

[Joe24]

Do what i did when i had problem.
Either, dont change down or, unclip your left foot and give it a kick

But seriously, put it on the small sprocket, and see how much slack you have, if theres loads then just take up the slack.
If theres not much slack, then move the widget and it should flop on the wonger.

 

[jeltz]

Well with a little slackening of the cable along with a full rotation of the L screw it seems a lot better.

Thanks everyone