Adjust a Front Bicycle Derailleur

Correctly adjusting a front derailleur is one of the more subtler bike maintenance procedures, as it is a matter of millimeters. If you're having trouble shifting or seeing the chain grind against the derailleur, you shouldn't have to go to the bike store for a fix. All you need are some basic tools and a good eye. With practice and patience, you too can become a smooth-shifting pro.

Steps

Fixing Shifting Issues

  1. Know what a properly adjusted front derailleur looks like. Your goal is for the front derailleur to sit comfortably above the chains, with the outside plate 2-3 millimeters above the largest chain ring. It will be aligned so that it curves parallel to the chain rings. It should sit parallel with the chain. If the derailleur is rubbing up against a ring or is caught on something, do not ride the bike. Instead, move on to "Resetting your Front Derailleur" below.[1]
  2. Diagnose your problem. Flip the bike over so it rests on the seat and handlebars. Shift the front derailleur up and down while pedaling with your hand. Can it get to all 2-3 gears? Is there clicking, rubbing, or grinding? Make a note of any problem areas and remember them as you move through your adjustments.
  3. Shift your bike into a low gear. Make sure the chain is on the middle cog at the back and the smallest chainring in front. This ensures that the chain isn't stretched diagonally and loosens the derailleur cable so that it is easier to manage.
  4. Loosen the cable bolt and tighten the derailleur cable. Right above the derailleur is a thin cable, clamped in place by a bolt or screw. It is usually attached to the bike frame (the metal skeleton of the bike). Grip the top of the cable and pull up on it, then loosen the bolt. Pull the cable up so that it is tight, then retighten the bolt again. This will clamp the bolt down on the cable so it can't move.
    • This may move the derailleur slightly, but you'll be adjusting it again in a minute. Right now you want to make sure that your derailleur cable is tight so that the whole thing functions smoothly.[2]
  5. Locate your limit screws. There are two small screws on the top or sides of your derailleur, one labeled "L" and the other "H." They are likely not entirely screwed in, and poke slightly up and out of the derailleur. These are your Low and High limit screws, and they control how far to the left or right your derailleur can move. They are adjusted with a normal Phillips ("star" or "plus sign " "+") screwdriver.[3]
    • The L controls how far towards your bike the derailleur can go. The H controls how far out and away from your bike it can go.
    • If your screws aren't labeled, you can easily test them out. Shift into your smallest ring up front. Turn one screw a full turn in each direction, watching the derailleur. If it moves, this is the Lower (L) limit, if it does not, try the other one. When this one moves, mark it with an L for future reference.[1]
  6. Align the low end of your derailleur. Shift into the smallest chainring in the front and the largest in the back so that the chain is completely to the left. Turn the L screw so that the derailleur has 2-3mm of space on either side of the chain.
    • You should see the derailleur move as you turn the screw.
  7. Align the high end of your derailleur. Pedal the bike and shift the front to the biggest cog and the back to the smallest gear. The chain should be complete to the right on the bike. Turn the H limit screw until the derailleur is 2-3mm on either side of the chain so that it has plenty of space to move.[4]
  8. Adjust the back derailleur into the middle cog, then test your shifting in the front. Shift the back gears to something in the middle so that it doesn't pull your chain either way as you shift. Then, pedal the bike and shift up and down through the front derailleur, making sure that you don't have any issues. Adjust the limit screws as necessary, and have fun riding.[2]
    • Setting your limits too far to either side can cause the derailleur to slip off, but you should be able to see if it is this far before you start testing.

Resetting Malfunctioning Derailleurs

  1. Know that you need to reset your derailleur if it is hitting the chain rings, bent, or angled awkwardly. The limit screws are only going to fix so much if the derailleur is in need of serious adjustments. If you feel the derailleur hitting chain rings, notice that it is angled, or see that it is too high, you'll have to reset the derailleur and start again.
  2. Shift to your leftmost rings. Shift to the smallest ring in the front and the largest in the back. You may need to put the bike on a stand or turn it upside down to easily pedal and shift at once.
  3. Loosen the barrel adjusters to relieve cable tension. Barrel adjusters are at the end of your derailleur cable, near the handle bars. To find them, follow the front derailleur cable as far as it goes until you get to a small, spinnable cylinder. Turn this clockwise as far as it goes.[5]
    • Count the number of rotations you make on the barrel. You'll want to return it back into approximately the same position when you're done.
  4. Lightly unclamp the bolt holding the derailleur cable in place. Above the derailleur is a cable that runs all the way to your shifter. It is held in place by a small bolt that prevents it from moving or sliding. Undo this bolt enough that the cable can move freely if pulled but doesn't just slide out on it's own.[6]
  5. Carefully undo the bolts clamping the derailleur to the bike frame. You do not want this to move seriously, as any major movements will change your entire alignment. Undo the bolts just enough so that you can wiggle and shift the derailleur's position.
  6. Gently move the derailleur into the correct place. If the derailleur is angled, twist it so that it is parallel to the chain, being careful not to change the height. If it is touching the top of the chain ring, move it up a few millimeters so that it sits above the biggest cog. Your goals are:
    • 1-3mm above the largest chain ring. You should be able to snugly fit a penny between the outer plate of the derailleur and the teeth of the ring.
    • Both plates parallel to the chain.
    • Curve of derailleur matches the curve of the cogs.[1]
  7. Readjust your cable and limit screws. Once you've made your changes, you'll need to readjust the derailleur so that it runs smoothly. To do so, pull the cable taut and then reclamp it underneath the bolt. Then adjust your limit screws as described in Method 1.



Tips

  • It is helpful to have pliers on hand to help you pull the cable taut.
  • Make your movements slowly, then reclamp everything and test it. Don't try and make big, exaggerated movements or screw turns, as this can make it hard to return to your previous settings if something goes wrong.

Warnings

  • Improperly adjusted derailleurs can lead to poor shifting or can cause the chain to fall off while riding.

Things You'll Need

  • Regular screwdriver
  • 5mm allen key
  • Pliers (optional)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/tech/fix/?id=frontmech
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.bicycling.com/video/adjust-front-derailleur
  3. ↑ http://madegood.org/bikes/repair/set-a-limit-screw-on-a-rear-derailleur/
  4. ↑ http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/front-derailleur.html
  5. ↑ http://www.artscyclery.com/learningcenter/shimanomechroadfrontderailleurs.html
  6. ↑ http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/front-derailleur-adjustments

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