How to Adjust a Bike Derailleur

May 8, 2023 4:40 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Cassette,And,Chain,Of,A,Mountain,Bike,Close-up,On,AHow to Adjust a Bike Derailleur

The derailleur is one of the most important components of a bike’s drivetrain, responsible for shifting the chain from one gear to another. However, over time, derailleurs can become misaligned, affecting the smoothness of your ride and making it difficult to shift gears. Fortunately, adjusting a bike derailleur is relatively simple and can be done with just a few tools and a bit of patience. In this post, we’ll go over the basic steps you can take to adjust your bike derailleur and get your ride back in top shape.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you start adjusting your derailleur, you’ll need a few basic tools. These include:

1. A screwdriver (usually a Phillips-head)

2. A hex key set (usually 4mm and 5mm)

3. A bike stand or some way to elevate your bike so that you can work on it more easily (this is optional but can be helpful)

Step 1: Check Your Limits

The first step in adjusting your derailleur is to check its limits. The limit screws are located on the derailleur itself and keep the chain from jumping off the cassette or chainrings. To check the limits, shift your bike into its highest and lowest gears, and observe the derailleur movements. If the chain is rubbing against the next largest or smallest cog or chainring, it means the limit screw needs to be adjusted.

To adjust the limit screws, use the screwdriver to turn the screws in small increments until the rubbing stops. The limit screws should be tightened until the chain does not rub against the next gear.

Step 2: Check Derailleur Alignment

The next step in adjusting your derailleur is to ensure its alignment is correct. Start by shifting your bike into the middle gear and looking at the derailleur. The jockey wheel on the derailleur should be in line with the middle sprocket on the cassette or chainring.

If the jockey wheel is not aligned with the middle sprocket, you can adjust it by tightening or loosening the derailleur’s cable tension. To do this, turn the barrel adjuster (a small knob on the derailleur’s cable) either clockwise or counterclockwise until the derailleur is aligned.

Step 3: Check Chain Tension

The next step is to ensure that the chain tension is correct. This is important because too much tension can cause the chain to jump gears, while too little tension can cause the chain to fall off the chainring or cassette.

To adjust the chain tension, shift your bike into its highest gear and observe the derailleur movement. The top pulley should be in line with the smallest cog and not rubbing against it. If the chain is loose, tighten the derailleur cable by turning the barrel adjuster counterclockwise by a quarter turn at a time. If the chain is too tight, loosen the cable by turning the barrel adjuster clockwise.

Step 4: Fine-Tune the Shifting

Finally, you’ll want to fine-tune the shifting to ensure it is smooth and precise. This is done by adjusting the cable tension slightly until the shifting feels good. To do this, shift your bike into the gear you want to adjust and turn the barrel adjuster a quarter turn at a time until the shifting feels smooth and precise. If you notice any hesitation or grinding when shifting, make small adjustments until the shifting is perfect.

Final Thoughts

Adjusting a bike derailleur is a relatively easy process that can be done with just a few tools and a bit of patience. By following these steps, you can get your derailleur back in top shape and enjoy smoother, more precise shifting on your rides. If you’re not comfortable with doing the adjustments yourself, consider taking your bike to a professional bike mechanic. With the right adjustments, your bike will be performing at its best in no time!

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