Most modern bicycles allow the rider to shift between three and 21 gears to provide greater or lesser resistance to match the terrain and riding conditions. The rider changes gears by moving a lever mounted on the front tube or the front and rear brake levers in the case of integral shifters. Regardless of the shifting lever placement, each shifter is connected to a cable that runs the length of the bike to a front and rear derailleur. Over time, the cable stretches and is unable to transmit the shifter's movement to the derailleur, and you will need to make some adjustments.
Step 1
Insert the wrench in the retaining bolt that connects the cable to the rear or front derailleur. Loosen the bolt by turning it counterclockwise. You do not need to remove the bolt, only loosen it so the cable can move freely.
Step 2
Turn the cable adjusting barrel until it is snug, which increases the tension on the cable and removes all slack. Turn the barrel clockwise for the rear derailleur cable and counterclockwise for the front derailleur cable.
Step 3
Turn the cable adjusting barrel the opposite direction three turns to set the proper cable tension.
Step 4
Pinch the cable with your fingers and pull any remaining slack while tightening the retaining bolt.
Step 5
Shift through the gears and note any hang-ups or noise. If you find any issues, loosen the retaining bolt and reset the cable barrel adjuster on the troublesome gear. Repeat these steps until the bicycle is shifting smoothly.
Tips and Warnings
- Too little tension is better than not enough tension. Make sure the bike can shift through all of the gears with your new tension before removing any additional slack in the cable.
- Always test the bike within a short walk from your home. Run through all of the gears several times to ensure there are no surprises before taking the bike far away from home and experiencing a breakdown.
Things You'll Need
- Hex or Allen wrench
References
- bikewebsite.com: Adjust the Rear Derailleur
- "Road Bike Maintenance"; Guy Andrews; 2008
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