Road Bike Derailleur Adjustment

The derailleur is a bike component that moves the chain from one cog to another when the shifter is used while a rider is pedaling.

Road bike derailleur adjustment. If the cogs or chain are very dirty grimy or sticky that can affect the bike s ability to shift properly. If there s any doubt where it is on your rear derailleur find it by following the cable path on the back of the bike to where the cable and housing enter the rear derailleur. How to fix the shifting on your bike. Derailleur hangers are made of soft metal and can bend easily.

It should be parallel with the cogs in your cassette. While pedaling the bike locate the cable leading to your rear derailleur and pull on it gently. If you have had a fall your bike fell over in the garage or you have stored or shipped your bike it is a good idea to check your derailleur hanger before you head out on a ride. With the bike held off the ground and the chain now on the largest cog at the back test the front derailleur by moving the chain between the smallest and next chainring using the gear lever.

The adjustment barrel is the knurled plastic piece that looks designed to be turned by hand. The derailleur is moved by tightening or relaxing the cable tension. The majority of front shifting problems can be solved with basic adjustments to the limit screws and index setting of the front derailleur system. The highest gear smallest sprocket on the rear derailleur is actually the point of lowest cable tension meaning the derailleur is doing the least work and is thus easiest to adjust.

In this video. The majority of rear shifting problems can be solved with basic adjustments to the limit screws and index setting of the rear derailleur system. For even the most zealous road. From behind your bike take a look at your hanger.