D.4.2 Adjusting the Front Derailleur
WARNING!
Do not ride a bicycle that is not shifting properly. Overlooking
proper adjustments may cause irreparable damage to the bicycle
and/or bodily injury. Never move the shifter while pedaling
standing up, or under heavy load, nor pedal backwards after
having moved the shifter. This could jam the chain and cause
serious damage to the bicycle and/or rider.
❶ Shift both shifters to the smallest number indicated and place
the chain on the corresponding cog and chainwheel.
❷ Disconnect the front derailleur cable from the cable anchor
bolt. Figure 4.11
❸ Check the position of the front derailleur; it should be parallel
with the outer chainwheel and clear the largest chainwheel by
1-3 mm when fully engaged.
❹ With the chain on the smallest chainwheel in front and the
largest cog in back, adjust the low limit screw so the chain is
centered in the front derailleur cage.
❺ Reconnect the cable, pull any slack out and tighten the cable
anchor bolt securely.
❻ Shift the front shifter to the largest chainwheel. If the chain
does not go onto the largest chainwheel, turn the high limit
screw in 1/4 turn increments counter-clockwise until the chain
engages the largest chainwheel.
50
If the chain falls off the largest chainwheel and into the pedals,
you will need to turn the high limit screw in 1/4 turn increments
clockwise until the chain no longer falls off.
❼ Shift through every gear, using the barrel adjusters to fine-tune
each transition. The barrel adjuster for the front derailleur is
located on the front shifter where the cable comes out of the
shifter. Clockwise will loosen the cable tension and direct the
chain closer to the frame while counter-clockwise will tighten
the cable tension and direct the chain away from the frame.
Cable anchor bolt
Barrel
7
adjuster
1-3 mm clearance
3
between chain wheel
and chain guide
Chain guide
Chain wheel
2
Figure 4.11