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The front derailleur should also shift the chain cleanly and without hesitation between
each chainring. If your bicycle is equipped with front indexing (a click between gears),
then each click or stop in the shifter should equate exactly to a new gear position. When
the chain has been positioned onto a new chainring, it should not rub on the front
derailleur. The chain should not fall off a chainring at any time. Derailleur control cables
are a critical component that must be well maintained for accurate shifting performance.
Check them for any sign of rust, fraying, kinks, broken strands and any damage to the
cable housing. If you find any problems, the cables may need replacing before you ride.
(Fig. 4.15 - see previous page)
Lubrication
All the pivoting points of the front and rear derailleurs should be lubricated with light
oil weekly (more often in severely rainy or muddy conditions). Be sure to wipe off any
excess oil to prevent attraction of dirt into the mechanisms. The shifting cables should
be cleaned and re-coated with a thin layer of grease yearly, or whenever new cables
are being installed.
Adjustment - Rear Derailleur (Fig. 4.16, 4.17)
The low limit screw determines how far the rear derailleur will travel toward the wheel
of the bicycle, while the High limit screw determines how far the cage will travel toward
the frame.
1. Shift the rear shifter to the largest number indicated, disconnect the rear derailleur
cable from the cable anchor bolt and place the chain on the smallest sprocket.
2. Adjust the High limit screw so the chain and the smallest sprocket are lined up
vertically. Remove any slack in the cable by pulling it taut, then re-connect the cable
and tighten the cable anchor bolt securely.
3. Shift up through the gears making sure that each gear is achieved quietly and without
hesitation. If noise occurs, use the adjustment barrel to fine-tune the cable tension.
Turning the adjustment barrel clockwise will decrease cable tension and allow the
derailleur cage to move farther away from the bicycle in small increments. Turning
counter-clockwise will increase cable tension and bring the cage closer to the bicycle.
This will micro-adjust the positioning of the derailleur cage in relation to the freewheel.
Simply put; turn the adjustment barrel the direction you want the chain to go.
MAINTENANCE
Freewheel
Outer side of top gear
Pulley
adjustment
screw
Adjustment
screws
SIS cable
adjuster
Tension
Pulley
Guide
Pulley
4.16
High gear
adjustment
screw
Low gear
adjustment
screw
Barrel
adjuster
4.17
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