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Adjusting the Rear Derailleur

What you need

  1. Adjusting the Rear Derailleur, Bike Chain Removal: step 1, image 1 of 2 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur, Bike Chain Removal: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Slide the chain cutting tool onto the desired link.

    • Align the push pin of the tool with the pin on the chain, and tighten the tool until the pin protrudes out the other side without falling all the way out.

  2. Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Stop pushing the pin out when it is just held in by the outer link, so it doesn't fall all the way out. You will still be able to separate the links.

    • Repeat the previous step to take off sections of links.

  3. Adjusting the Rear Derailleur, Rear Derailleur: step 3, image 1 of 2 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur, Rear Derailleur: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Bolt the derailleur to the mounting tab with an Allen wrench.

    • Be careful not to over-tighten the steel bolt, as this can strip the aluminum mounting tab.

  4. Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 4, image 1 of 3 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 4, image 2 of 3 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Shift the rear derailleur into the highest gear(smallest sprocket).

    • Align the rear guide sprocket of the derailleur with the highest gear (smallest sprocket), by tightening or loosening the screw labeled "H".

  5. Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 5, image 1 of 3 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 5, image 2 of 3 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Shift the rear derailleur into the lowest gear(largest sprocket).

    • Align the rear guide sprocket of the derailleur with the lowest gear(largest sprocket), by tightening or loosening the screw labeled "L".

  6. Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 6, image 1 of 2 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Shift the bike into the highest numbered gear.

    • Slide the cable through the barrel adjuster screw until the cable housing bottoms out.

    • Pull the slack out of the cable while clamping it down with the nut that is attached to the derailleur.

  7. Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 7, image 1 of 3 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 7, image 2 of 3 Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Route the chain around the chain rings, cassette, and derailleur.

    • Reconnect both ends of the chain using a master link or a chain cutter tool.

    • See the chain connection guide.

  8. Adjusting the Rear Derailleur: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Fine tune the derailleur by tightening or loosening the barrel adjuster screw. Loosening this screw causes the derailleur to move slightly towards a larger sprocket, while tightening it moves the derailler towards a smaller sprocket.

    • Shift through each gear while pedaling. The derailleur should move the chain one gear over each time you shift up or down.

    • If the chain skips or makes noise when you are not shifting, use the barrel adjustment screw to fine tune the derailleur alignment.

    • Repeat the previous steps until the derailleur shifts smoothly and makes a minimal amount of noise.

Conclusion

For future adjustments it is likely that you will only need to adjust the barrel adjuster screw for fine adjustment.

8 other people completed this guide.

Travis Tonder

Member since: 10/05/10

3,160 Reputation

4 Guides authored

Team

Cal Poly, Team 5-13, Maness Fall 2010 Member of Cal Poly, Team 5-13, Maness Fall 2010

CPSU-MANESS-F10S5G13

4 Members

17 Guides authored

3 Comments

Thanks Travis! I was a little unsure about how to do this without ruining my derailleur! Thx alot!

Tim - Reply

Thanks the direction is simple enough.

Robert - Reply

I always wondered how to align the guide wheel and the sprockets. Now I have a better idea.

Edwin Icogo - Reply

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