How Do You Adjust A Rear Bicycle Derailleur?
Have you ever had troubles with your bike switching gears unexpectedly or not shifting correctly? Many people have this problem, but are afraid of attempting to fix it in fear of adding to the problem. Here’s how to get your bicycle shifting properly by adjusting the rear derailleur. • Shift the bike to the lowest possible gear (largest gear sprocket on the rear cassette closest to the spokes). • Look at the rear cogs (sprockets) and make sure they are not touching the derailleur cog/top pulley (guide pulley) when in the lowest gear. This is very obvious as it causes a very loud noise when the bike is being pedaled in this gear. Note: What the arrow is pointing to is the upper derailleur pulley wheel. • If the cogs are in contact with the cassette, then turn in the derailleur alignment screw (“b” screw or chain gap adjustment screw) clockwise to increase tension until the cogs are separated from the cassette by at least a couple millimeters (1/10″). • If the cogs are too far from the c
