i have a problem with the rear shifting. on the bike; If I'm in the biggest chainring at the front, i can't get the chain to drop to the smallest cog at all. As soon as I step off the bike, it's drops down to it.

I've adjusted the cable as much as I can't but I can't find the sweet spot.
Perhaps I may have bent the rear mech, would that explain why it only shifts to the smallest cog when I'm not on the pedals?

sounds like your mech is worn out so when tension is put on the pedals the mech pulls over IE towards the wheel.

it's a brand new mech, had about 5 hours use….

hmmm well i cant say unless i looked at it.

try your limeter screws try taking your lowest one out by a turn and a half

Full sus bike? Cable could be too short.

cable tension? New mech & new cable? If so maybe the cable has stretched?

no surely the cable will strech when he is off the bike as when he is on it the sag will make the cable slacker????

"cable tension? New mech & new cable? If so maybe the cable has stretched?" no unless he has a rapid rise mech then it would be geting in to top gear hardest!

"hmmm well i cant say unless i looked at it.

try your limeter screws try taking your lowest one out by a turn and a half "

excellent call onoeone….. that was it 🙂

no probs at all!!!