front derailer problem

[mooserverte]

my cousin's bianchi is not going into the smaller cog on the front (lower gear range) which gets really anoying when going on a hilly bike ride. any help as to why this would be??

[ls28harry]

Cable too tight. Twist the barrel a few turns. Google/YouTube 'front mech adjustment' for full story.

[mooserverte]

cheers! i will try that

[Carla Sands]

Check the low limit screw adjustment as well (I'd check that before slackening the cable if everything else is shifting fine), that's what determines how far towards the frame the derailleur moves so if it's not moving far enough it needs loosening - usually best to do one quarter turn at a time. Too loose and the derailleur will move too far across and you can end up with your chain dropping off when you change to the lower ring.

[Spindoctor]

as CS has said - it could be the limit screw - do two things, drop in onto the smaller front ring - adjust the limit screw so the chain guide is correctly positioned, and then undo the cable - it should be just lose, (or just tight) in this position - then re-clamp

[Manglier]

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/articl...tenance-32739/ Gear setup from 4:50 in.

[coolboarder]

How long has this problem been going on for? If the dérailleur previously changed OK it less likely that the trim adjuster screws or cable tension has altered that much. How often is the bike cleaned or serviced? Might be it just needs a good clean, check the cable guide under the bottom bracket as that is prone to clogging with muck. Release the cable tension with the lever and see if you can push the mech with your fingers to move it in which case its the mech. just dirty, if it wont shift at all it is a mechanical problem or the previously mentioned trim adjuster is stopping it. If you cant release cable tension without undoing the cable bolt and when you do the mech. jumps back then it is the cable or lever jamming. What gears is he using? Campagnolo ergo levers have a nasty habit of jamming, especially the left hand thumb lever that releases tension and allows the front mech. to shoot back under spring tension, and need several good hard pushes on the levers to free it up. Finally you may need to take the cable out of the outer sleeves and re-grease it if its seizing up.

[Mike the bike]

You've had three pieces of advice Moose, to turn the barrel adjuster, to fiddle with the limit screw and to clean and check the cables.

May I add a fourth. Do them one at a time and in small increments or you will never know which adjuster solved your problem. Indeed, if you try all of them simultaneously you could make the problem worse.