Hi guys
Been riding for many years and I've pretty much done most jobs on bikes from chains, to bearings etc etc but one thing i havnt done is gears I've always kinda said nope not touching them and I've taken them to a shop. So basically my gears are clicking and need adjustment. Is there an idiot's guide to adjustment as id like to learn.
Thanks
Tom
Turn the barrel adjuster one way. If it gets worse turn it the other way!😀
If it's Shimano, you could do a lot worse than downloading the appropriate manual(s).
Yep! There's other adjustment- the end stops and z screw- but they're pretty much set-and-forget, the only time you ever want to adjust the end stops on a ride or similar is if you bend something. And nobody really understands the z screw, we just fanny about with it and stare at it with one eye closed then declare it perfect.
But the barrel adjusts the cable tension and that does go out of whack over time as the cable stretches, outers move, etc. As long as you remember what changes you've made you can always reverse it. Except that you probably won't remember the changes you made. But hey if you were mucking about with it, it probably didn't work right before.
Im fine with rear mechs, its fronts that are a dark art. Thank God they have done away with them.
1st step is check if your gear hanger is bent? Your LBS will have a tool for this, but if your top jockey wheel isn't sat underneath the highest gear when the indexing says it is that's also a sign. Good luck!
I found the instructions on the Park Tools website really helpful:
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/rear-derailleur-adjustment