How to Adjust the Front Deraileur
After installing shorter cranks, I just needed to touch up my front derailleur. Here’s a video on Front Dérailleur Adjustment.
The good news is that front dérailleurs are more stable than rear derailleurs and don’t require much attention. When they do you usually don’t have to go through the whole procedure, most of the time it is just a minor chain rub.
If you have a minor chain rub just adjusting the in-out travel limit screws on the top of the dérailleur will usually do the job. Just remember that these screws are often the reverse of what you would expect. For example for my Shamino XT Front Dérailleur, the screw closet to the frame on the top of the dérailleur sets the outer travel limit for the dérailleur. So if your chain is rubbing on the largest chain ring, then the inner screw is adjusted. If it is rubbing on the smallest chain ring then the outer furthest from the frame) is adjusted.
Just be sure that the when you adjust the Front Dérailleur that the chain is on the right rear sprocket (sprockets are driven by chains, gears are driven by gears by we usually call them gear on bikes anyway). When adjusting a rub on the largest chain ring use the smallest rear sprocket. When adjusting for a rub on the smallest chain ring use the largest rear sprocket.
If that doesn’t work, clean, lubricate and try again. Then if that fails follow all of the steps in the Video.
Filed under: Repair and Maintenance | Tagged: bicycle, deraileur, recumbent
The simple things are often ignored. Adjusting a front dreailler is easy and doesn’t take a lot of time or specialized tools. Yet I was amazed at the number of people I passed on the Fort Worth bike trail (I grew up in Ft. Worth) who were happily enjoying a leisurely ride along the river while grinding away the dreailler cage. If I mentioned it they would just smile and say “Oh, it just does that sometimes.” This could, perhaps, be overlooked when the rider is a child on a Big Box Store Special; however, some of the riders were on nice machines with high quality components. It leads me to suspect that they are more concerned with their fashion statement.
Anyway, I hope the shorter crank arms work well for you and look forward to the long-term report.
Thanks Charles, had a good ride today. Did a BJ’s Warehouse run with new grocery panniers and they worked like a charm.
I am enjoying the shorter cranks. They help me keep my spin up and keep pressure off of my knees and hips. Even liked the Ragster Sandals from Nashbar. Just a beautiful spring day, mid 50’s and sunny, great riding day.
You should tell us about your favorite rides some time if you are willing to share them.