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General Safety Information

WARNING

• Use neutral detergent to clean the chain. Do not use alkali-based or acid based

detergent such as rust cleaners as it may result in damage and/or failure of the
chain.

• Use the reinforced connecting pin only for connecting the narrow type of chain.
• There are two different types of reinforced connecting pins available. Be sure to

check the table below before selecting which pin to use. If connecting pins other
than reinforced connecting pins are used, or if a reinforced connecting pin or tool
which is not suitable for the type of chain is used, sufficient connection force may
not be obtained, which could cause the chain to break or fall off.

• If it is necessary to adjust the length of the chain

due to a change in the number of sprocket teeth,
make the cut at some other place than the place
where the chain has been joined using a reinforced
connecting pin or an end pin. The chain will be
damaged if it is cut at a place where it has been
joined with a reinforced connecting pin or an end pin.

• Check that the tension of the chain is correct and that the chain is not damaged. If

the tension is too weak or the chain is damaged, the chain should be replaced. If
this is not done, the chain may break and cause serious injury.

• Obtain and read the service instructions carefully prior to installing the parts.

Loose, worn, or damaged parts may cause injury to the rider. We strongly
recommend only using genuine Shimano replacement parts.

• Read these Technical Service Instructions carefully, and keep them in a safe place

for later reference.

Note

• If gear shifting operations do not feel smooth, wash the derailleur and lubricate all

moving parts.

• If the amount of looseness in the links is so great that adjustment is not possible,

you should replace the derailleur.

• You should periodically clean the derailleur and lubricate all moving parts

(mechanism and pulleys).

• If gear shifting adjustment cannot be carried out, check the degree of parallelism at

the rear end of the bicycle. Also check if the cable is lubricated and if the outer
casing is too long or too short.

• If you hear abnormal noise as a result of looseness in a pulley, you should replace

the pulley.

• If the chain keeps coming off the sprockets during use, replace the sprockets and

the chain.

• Adjust the RD-M970 reverse spring type rear derailleur from the low side.
• Use a frame with internal cable routing is strongly discouraged as it has tendencies

to impair the SIS shifting function due to its high cable resistance.

• Always be sure to use the sprocket set bearing the same

group marks. Never use in combination with a sprocket
bearing a different group mark.

• Use an outer casing which still has some length to spare even

when the handlebars are turned all the way to both sides.
Furthermore, check that the shifting lever does not touch the
bicycle frame when the handlebars are turned all the way.

• Make sure that the gear shifting cable and the brake cable do

not obstruct each other during braking operations. If they do
obstruct, it may interfere with braking.
Install the cables so that they still have some slack in them even when the
handlebars are turned fully in either direction.

• A special grease is used for the gear shifting cable (SIS-SP41). Do not use DURA-

ACE grease or other types of grease, otherwise they may cause deterioration in
gear shifting performance.

• Grease the inner cable and the inside of the outer casing before use to ensure that

they slide properly.

• For smooth operation, use the specified outer casing and the bottom bracket cable

guide.

• Operation of the levers related to gear shifting should be made only when the front

chainwheel is turning.

• Parts are not guaranteed against natural wear or deterioration resulting from

normal use.

• For maximum performance we highly recommend Shimano lubricants and

maintenance products

• For any questions regarding methods of installation, adjustment, maintenance or

operation, please contact a professional bicycle dealer.

Chain tool

Chain

9-speed super narrow

chain such as 

CN-7701 / CN-HG93

8- / 7- / 6-speed narrow 

chain such as 

CN-HG50 / CN-IG51

Reinforced 

connecting pin

TL-CN32 / TL-CN23

TL-CN32 / TL-CN23

6.5mm

7.1mm

Silver

Black

Series

XTR

DUAL CONTROL lever

ST-M975

Outer casing

SIS-SP41

Rear derailleur

RD-M970

Type

SGS / GS

Freehub

FH-M975 / FH-M970

Gears

9

Cassette sprocket

Chain

Bottom bracket guide

CS-M970

CN-7701

SM-SP17 / SM-BT17

One Holland, Irvine, California 92618, U.S.A.  Phone: +1-949-951-5003

Industrieweg 24, 8071 CT Nunspeet, The Netherlands  Phone: +31-341-272222

3-77 Oimatsu-cho Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka 590-8577, Japan

Please note: specifications are subject to change for improvement without notice. (English)  
© Jul. 2006 by Shimano Inc. XBC SZK Printed in Japan.

This service instruction explains how to use and maintain the
Shimano bicycle parts which have been used on your new bicycle.
For any questions regarding your bicycle or other matters which
are not related to Shimano parts, please contact the place of
purchase or the bicycle manufacturer.

Technical Service Instructions

SI-5VW0A

RD-M970

In order to realize the best performance, we recommend
that the following combination be used.

Chain length on bicycles with rear suspension

The length of A will vary depending on the movement of the
rear suspension. Because of this, an excessive load may be
placed on the drive system if the chain length is too short. Set
the length of the chain by adding two links to the chain when
the rear suspension is at a position where dimension "A" is
longest and the chain is on the largest sprocket and the largest
chainring. If the amount of movement of the rear suspension is
large, the slack in the chain may not be taken up properly when
the chain is on the smallest chainring and smallest sprocket.

A

A'

Add 2 links (with the chain on both the largest
sprocket and the largest chainring)

Largest

sprocket

Chain

Largest

chainring

These service instructions are
printed on recycled paper.

Reinforced Connecting Pin

End Pin

Link Pin

Specifications

Model number

Type

Gears

Total capacity

Largest sprocket

Smallest sprocket

Front chainwheel tooth difference

RD-M970

SGS

9

43T

34T

11T

22T

Rear Derailleur

GS

9

33T

34T

11T

22T

g

a -18T

-

S

H

IM

A

NO

HYP

ERG

LID

E

C

ag-15T

ag-1

3T

Group marks

Rear derailleur

To shift from a small sprocket to a larger sprocket 
(MULTI RELEASE )

You can vary the lever stroke to shift the desired number of gears,
so that to shift by one gear only, move the lever to the (1) position,
and to shift by two gears at one time, move the lever to the (2)
position. A maximum two-gear shift can be made in this manner.

Operating the levers

Installation of the rear derailleur

These Service Instructions describe the operation method when using the ST-M975 DUAL CONTROL lever in combination with the RD-
M970 reverse spring-type rear derailleur. If using in combination with the RD-M971 top normal-type derailleur, the operations will be
reversed.

When installing, be careful not to let the B-tension adjustment screw
come into contact with the dropout tab, otherwise deformation may result.
Do not remove the Pro-Set alignment block at this time.

Bracket spindle Tightening torque : 

8 - 10 N·m {70 - 86 in. lbs.}

5 mm Allen key

Dropout tab

B-tension 
adjustment screw

Adjusting the grip width

It is recommended that you adjust the grip widths of the levers to
the most comfortable widths for gear shifting and braking.

Gear shifting operation

The lever always returns to the initial position when it is released
after shifting. When operating the lever, always be sure to turn the
crank arm at the same time.

To shift from a large sprocket to a smaller sprocket

You can vary the lever stroke to shift the desired number of gears,
so that to shift by one gear only, move the lever to the (1) position,
and to shift by two gears at one time, move the lever to the (2)
position. A maximum two-gear shift can be made in this manner.

The INSTANT RELEASE
mechanism makes fast gear
shifting possible because
cable tension is released
immediately when either the
main lever or the secondary
release lever is depressed.
The levers are also equipped
with a MULTI RELEASE
mechanism so that you can
now shift two gears with a
single operation.

Lever initial position

Lever initial position

Becomes wider

Becomes

narrower

1st joint

Lever end

2 mm Allen key

Approx.
2 mm

Auxiliary release lever

Operating the brake
lever

2. Top adjustment

Turn the crank arm while pulling the derailleur with your hand to
move the derailleur to the top position, and then turn the top
adjustment screw to adjust so
that the guide pulley is in line
with the outer line of the
smallest sprocket when looking
from the rear.
Turn the crank arm to set the
derailleur to the low position.

1. Low adjustment

Turn the low adjustment screw so that the guide pulley moves to
a position directly in line with
the largest sprocket.

SIS Adjustment

Tightening torque :

5 - 7 N·m {44 - 60 in. lbs.}

Guide pulley

Largest

sprocket

Low adjustment

screw

Top adjustment

screw

Outer line of 
smallest sprocket

Groove

Cutting the outer casing

When cutting the outer casing, cut the opposite end to the end
with the marking. After cutting the outer
casing, make the end round so that the
inside of the hole has a uniform diameter.

Attach the same outer
end cap to the cut end
of the outer casing.

Outer end cap

3. Connecting and securing the inner cable

Operate the lever eight times or more
to set the lever to the lowest position.
Then remove the inner hole cover and
connect the inner cable.

Install the inner hole cover by turning it as
shown in the illustration until it stops. Do not
turn it any further than this, otherwise it may
damage the thread on the cover.

Connect the cable to the rear derailleur and,
after taking up the initial slack in the cable,
re-secure to the rear derailleur as shown in
the illustration.

Connect the inner cable to
the derailleur as shown in
the illustration.

Pull

Note:

Be sure that the cable is
securely in the groove.

The sealed cap with
tongue and the rubber
shield should be
installed to the outer
casing stopper of the
frame.

Rubber shield

Rubber shield

Be careful not to bend

Sealed cap with tongue

For the best SIS performance, periodically lubricate all 
power-transmission parts.

5. SIS Adjustment

Push lever while turning the crank arm to move the derailleur to
the largest sprocket. Then operate lever once to move the
derailleur to the 2nd-gear sprocket. After this, operate lever just
as far as the extent of play, and then turn the crank arm.

When changing
to 3rd

Turn the cable adjustment bolt
clockwise to tighten it until the
chain returns to the 2nd sprocket.
* Turn the adjustment bolt together

with the outer casing adjustment
barrel cover.

Turn the cable adjustment bolt
counterclockwise to loosen it until
the chain touches a sprocket and
generates noise.
* Turn the adjustment bolt together with

the outer casing adjustment barrel
cover.

When no
noise is
heard at all

2 3

2 3

2 3

2 3

Adjustment bolt

Adjustment bolt

Best setting

The best setting is when the cable adjustment bolt is tightened
(turned clockwise) until noise occurs without lever being
operated, and then loosened (turned counterclockwise) 90 - 180
degrees from that point.

Operate lever to change gears, and check that no noise occurs
in any of the gear positions.

Pro-Set alignment block

Installation of the chain

Install the chain with the Pro-Set
alignment block still attached.
After installing, remove the Pro-Set
alignment block.

Turn the crank arm to set the
derailleur to the low position.

4. How to use the B-tension adjustment screw

Mount the chain on the smallest chainring and the largest
sprocket, and turn the crank arm backward. Then turn the 
B-tension adjustment screw to adjust the guide pulley as close to
the sprocket as possible but
not so close that it touches.
Next, set the chain to the
smallest sprocket and
repeat the above to make
sure that the pulley does
not touch the sprocket.

Largest sprocket

Smallest sprocket

B-tension

adjustment screw

* If the rear derailleur moves to a large degree, such as in

bicycles with rear suspension, it is recommended that you
replace the cap with the
accessory aluminum cap.

The end of the outer casing
which has the aluminum cap
should be at the derailleur side.

Aluminum cap

Derailleur side

In the case of carbon handlebars, it may be
necessary to lower the tightening torque in
order to prevent damage to the  handlebar.
Please consult the  bicycle or handlebar
manufacturer regarding the appropriate
level of tightening torque for carbon
handlebars.

Tightening torque : 

6 - 8 N·m {53 - 69 in. lbs.}

4 mm Allen key

Use a handlebar grip with a maximum
outer diameter of 32 mm.

Installation of the lever

Guide pulley

Inner hole cover

Inner hole cover

Inner cable

Tightening torque :

0.3 - 0.5 N·m {3 - 4 in. lbs.}

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