| Derailleur Adjustments in 4 Easy Steps! | | | | that the chain will move up the cassette to the largest |
| Adjusting your bicycles components is an essential | | | | sprocket. Once you have the chain on the largest |
| step in keeping your bike properly maintained and | | | | sprocket, you can stop pedaling but keep the pressure |
| running smoothly. For those of you having trouble with | | | | on the derailleur so it does not spring back out. Now |
| those pesky derailleurs, here are 4 easy steps to | | | | adjust the other screw so that the small cog on the |
| keeping them properly aligned. | | | | derailleur lines up with the largest sprocket. At this point |
| Step 1: Releasing The Cable Tension | | | | you want to make sure you push the derailleur as far |
| The first step to adjust the derailleur is to release all of | | | | inwards as it will go. Once it stops, you know that you |
| the cable tention by loosening the screw that holds the | | | | have hit the "limit" screw. You don't want the derailleur |
| cable on the derailleur. Simply loosen the screw and | | | | to move past the largest sprocket vertically. Once you |
| allow the cable to hang freely. | | | | have achieved proper alignment with the smallest and |
| Step 2: Setting the Outer Limits | | | | largest sprockets, its time to re-tighten the cable. |
| Every derailleur should have two screws located on | | | | Step 3: Re-Tightening the Cable Tension |
| the derailleur itself. Ever wonder what these actually | | | | In order to achieve the proper cable tension, you have |
| do? The only purpose of these two screws is to set | | | | to pedal the bike once again. The spring loaded |
| the outside limits of the derailleur. A derailleur is a spring | | | | derailleur will be pulled back down to the smallest |
| loaded device. So, these two screws simply prevent | | | | sprocket. Once you have done this, click the shifter |
| the springs from pushing the derailleur too far past the | | | | lever on the handlebar all the way down to the lowest |
| smallest and largest sprockets. Thus, preventing the | | | | gear while pulling on the loose cable at the derailleur. |
| chain from falling off of the rear cassette. | | | | This will allow you to get all of the slack out of the |
| To make these adjustments, move the shifter on the | | | | cable before tightening it down. Now, while holding the |
| handlebar so that the chain moves down to the | | | | cable taught, insert it back into the clamp and re-tighten |
| smallest sprocket. Now, while standing behind the back, | | | | the screw. The trick here is to just pull the cable taught, |
| look at the alignment of the smallest sprocket and the | | | | don't try to pull as hard as you can! |
| top wheel on the derailleur itself. They should be | | | | Now, if you have done everything correctly, you should |
| aligned vertically. If not, then take a screwdriver and try | | | | be able to run the the gears smoothly! If it doesn't |
| turning the adjustment screws that I mentioned | | | | seem quite right, then try making very small |
| previously. You will notice that the derailleur will move in | | | | adjustments with the tension screw where the |
| or out slightly. If it does not seem to move, then try the | | | | derailleur cable enters the derailleur housing. Only small |
| other screw. You may have to play with them to | | | | adjustments here can go a long way. Another simple |
| figure out which screw to adjust. Once you have them | | | | trick is to make sure that your derailleurs are clean. |
| aligned, then it's time to move to the other limit screw. | | | | Simply spray the cassette and derailleur with some |
| Step 3: Setting the Inner Limits | | | | degreaser and blow it off with compressed air after a |
| To adjust the other screw, you will have to pedal the | | | | few minutes. |
| bike with your hand. While pedaling, simply push the | | | | Congrats! You can now ride smoothly. Have fun |
| derailleur inwards, toward the rear tire. You will notice | | | | & Ride Safe! |