| These instructions should solve all shifting issues, | | | | motion by the rear derailleur past the biggest & |
| however they may be overkill for most users. Most | | | | smallest cogs to minimize the probability of problems |
| new bikes come with straight rear derailleur hangers, | | | | occuring. These instructions are for a single chainring |
| properly adjusted b screw, and properly set H & | | | | drivetrain. Our procedure ( algorithm ) is very quick |
| L screws. Hence stage#1-#3 are not required for for | | | | and proper for our bicycles, but allows for some |
| most new bike owners. However going through all | | | | variability. Do not use these instructions for a multi |
| the steps should solve shifting issues if simply going | | | | chainring bike. Step #1 Check the rear derailleur. View |
| through #4 is not sufficient. Stage #1 Make sure the | | | | the H & L screws Step #2 H screw has a |
| rear derailleur hanger is straight Check the rear | | | | yellow oval around it. L screw has a blue oval.. Note |
| derailleur hanger. Visually, one can see the below | | | | the H screw is out & L screw is in. Step #3 |
| hanger is bent inward toward the frame. A rear | | | | Place the chain on the largest cog. Pull the cable with |
| derailleur hanger alignment tool is required to adjust it | | | | your hand to create tension, if this causes the |
| perfectly. However when a tool is not available it can | | | | derailleur to move inside the largest cog you must |
| be adjusted by pulling the derailleur with ones hand | | | | turn the L screw clockwise until the derailleur is below |
| away from the cassette until the derailleur is | | | | the biggest cog, then back off counterclockwise a bit |
| perpendicular to the ground. The stock hanger is very | | | | ( not to restrict range ). This will keep the rear |
| soft and can be bent several times. Below we use | | | | derailleur from coming off the largest cog & |
| the Park DAG-1 too to straighten the hanger. We will | | | | backing off will not restrict the range of motion. Step |
| remove the derailleur, then use the tool to check if it | | | | #4 Place the chain in the smallest cog. Relieve all |
| aligned properly, if it is misaligned we will use the tool | | | | tension from the cable, if this causes the derailleur to |
| to bend it back into place and repeat until we are | | | | move outside the smallest cog you must turn the H |
| finished. From geometry we know two points define | | | | screw clockwise until the derailleur is below the |
| a line, and three points define a plane. Our goal is to | | | | smallest cog, then back off counterclockwise a bit ( |
| place the hanger on a parallel plane with respect to | | | | not to restrict range ). This will keep the rear |
| the cassette. We will use the tool to place the | | | | derailleur from coming off the smallest cog & |
| hanger on a parallel plane as the rim. We will assume | | | | backing off will not restrict the range of motion. |
| the rim and cassette are on parallel planes. We will | | | | Stage #4 Cable tension adjustment We will assume |
| use the DAG-1 tool to measure the distance from | | | | you have gone through stages #1 to #3 in adjusting |
| the rim at 3 different points and to bend the hanger | | | | a rear derailleur. This is the last and possibly easiest |
| until the distance from three points to the rim is the | | | | step. You will require a bike stand or a person willing |
| same. Step #1 Remove rear derailleur from the | | | | to hold the rear wheel in the air. Due to spring |
| hanger with an allen wrench. Step #2 Install the | | | | tension the rear derailleur prefers to stay in the |
| DAG-1 hanger tool onto the hanger as shown Step | | | | smallest cog ( assuming there is no cable tension ). |
| #3 Test the distance from the DAG-1 tool to the rim | | | | Cable tension lifts the derailleur into the larger cogs. |
| at three points. If this distance is the same the | | | | Hence if the derailleur does not move into larger cogs |
| hanger is in the proper plane and the job is done. | | | | it needs more cable tension, achieved by turning the |
| Step #4 If the distances are not the same at all | | | | barrel adjuster counter clockwise. If the derailleur |
| points around the rim use the tool as a lever bending | | | | does not move into smaller cogs it has too much |
| the hanger to make the distances closer. Repeat the | | | | cable tension, and the tension must be relieved by |
| steps #3 & #4 as often as needed until the | | | | turning the barrel adjuster clockwise. In short our |
| distances are the same. Stage #2 Adjust the b | | | | procedure ( or algorithm ) for adjusting the shifter is |
| Screw We will assume the rear derailleur H & L | | | | as follows. If the shifter is in a smaller number gear |
| screws are pulled out. Hence there should be no | | | | than the chain ( for ex. chain is in #2 cog while shifter |
| restriction on the derailleur's movement. The b screw | | | | in #1 ) one should turn the barrel adjuster clockwise. |
| adjustment is required when either: A). In the largest | | | | On the other hand. If the shifter is in a larger number |
| cog there is an issue with chainsuck ( when the chain | | | | gear than the chain ( for ex. chain is in #2 cog while |
| wraps around the largest cog instead of going | | | | shifter in #3 ) one should turn the barrel adjuster |
| directly to the rear derailleur). B). One experiences | | | | counterclockwise. Step #1 View the barrel adjuster |
| shifting issues in the smallest cogs. As a general rule | | | | on the rear derailleur. Step #2 Put the bike in a stand |
| of thumb the b screw should be about 6mm away | | | | or have a partner hold up the rear wheel. Step #3 |
| from the largest cog. Step #1 If you experience | | | | Put the shifter in 1st gear and rotate the pedals. If |
| chainsuck issues in the biggest cog turn the b-screw | | | | the chain is not in the biggest cog we will assume it is |
| clockwise to pull the rear derailleur back. Step #2 If | | | | in a smaller cog due to the limiting ( H & L ) |
| you have problems shifting in the smallest cogs turn | | | | screws do not allow it anywhere else. Turn the barrel |
| the b screw counterclockwise to push the rear | | | | adjuster counterclockwise & rotate the pedals |
| derailleur in. Stage #3 H & L screw adjustment H | | | | until the chain is in the largest cog. Step #4 Run |
| & L screws limit movement on the rear | | | | through the gears on the shifter from 1 to 9 if the |
| derailleur. The rear derailleur should never be allowed | | | | rear derailleur does not shift properly follow the |
| to move inside the inside face of largest cog, this | | | | procedure above Step #5 Run back through the |
| risks the chain getting caught between the spokes | | | | gears on the shifter from #9 to #1 if the rear |
| and rear cog. Once this happens you may need to | | | | derailleur does not shift properly follow the procedure |
| rebuild your rear wheel. Additionally the rear derailleur | | | | above Step #6 Test shifting through the gears |
| should never be allowed past the outside face of the | | | | several times to make sure it is proper. One can |
| smallest cog. This could allow the chain to get | | | | adjust the derailleur while riding by turning the barrel |
| wedged between the frame & cog possibly | | | | adjuster on the shifter clockwise or counterclockwise |
| tearing up the frame. The H and L screws will limit | | | | ( as explained in the procedure ). |