Setting up front derailleur

[Buffwhack]

 

I see Mr Borman is on the line but all feel free to assist.

 

 

 

I am putting together a training bike, moved all the components from a bike too large to a better suited size. All has gonne pretty well, have been using my Diffinative guide DVD and books. I understand how to set the limit screws but what I am not sure of is how do I get the derailleur to shift the chain to the big chain ring, is this determined by the cable or the limit screws? I know its always best to take it to someone who knows what they are doing but I enjoy working on my bikes and feel it necessary to know how and what to do should I one day need it whilst out on the raod. Don't laugh guys, I'm a girl. No my other half does not cycle.

[Johan Bornman]

Working your own bike is great. Even when you break something, you learn. After all it is better than 112 channels of rubbish on TV, isn't it?

 

An abbreviated guide to setting up your FD.

 

1) Remove the chain.

2) Loosen the cable.

3) Adjust the FD in the plane of the bike so that it is exactly parallel with the chainrings.

4) Adjust the FD's height so that it is 2-3mm higher than the highest point on the large chainring. You'll notice that the gap isn't parallel but tapers smaller towards the 12-o-clock position on the chainring. Set it at the smallest gap.

5) Adjsut the limit screws so that the FD defaults to approximately in the middle of the two rings in the up and down position. This is not critical.

6) Shift your lever so that it shifts the FD to the smaller chainring (in your imaginaton, since there is no chain or cable on yet).

7) Now pull the cable through and tighten the anchor bolt so that  the cable has no play.

 

It should now all be OK, but fine-tuning is often necessary. Always take note of what limits the FD to move further (whether up or down). It could be due to the limit screws or cable length.  Adjust accordingly.

 

If that doesn't work for you, I have a place on my next course just for you. We do great coffee too.

 

 

[Buffwhack]

Working your own bike is great. Even when you break something' date=' you learn. After all it is better than 112 channels of rubbish on TV, isn't it?

 

?

 

An abbreviated guide to setting up your FD.

 

?

 

1) Remove the chain.

 

2) Loosen the cable.

 

3) Adjust the FD in the plane of the bike so that it is exactly parallel with the chainrings.

 

4) Adjust the FD's height so that it is 2-3mm higher than the highest point on the large chainring. You'll notice that the gap isn't parallel but tapers smaller towards the 12-o-clock position on the chainring. Set it at the smallest gap.

 

5) Adjsut the limit screws so that the FD defaults to approximately in the middle of the two rings in the up and down position. This is not critical.

 

6) Shift your lever so that it shifts the FD to the smaller chainring (in your imaginaton, since there is no chain or cable on yet).

 

7) Now pull the cable through and tighten the anchor bolt so that? the cable has no play.

 

?

 

It should now all be OK, but fine-tuning is often necessary. Always take note of what limits the FD to move further (whether up or down). It could be due to the limit screws or cable length.? Adjust accordingly.

 

?

 

If that doesn't work for you, I have a place on my next course just for you. We do great coffee too.

 

?

 

?

[/quote']

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the reply I have adjusted the FD to correct height and angle but will run through again. I think my cable is too slack so is not activating the pull. Will play more on the weekend. Would love to do your DIY's but have not had the $$$$ to do so, I think it is something to save for. Will let you know what happens

[Minion]

You can also check out the Park Tool website. It seems like they've put most of their 'Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair' online.

[Witrot]

Edman, thats a pretty cool website for these things, thanx!

[Li Mu Bai]

Johan's course is worth every cent!