Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Shifting issues
#1
Hi everyone,

I recently changed the dérailleurs on my bike. After attaching the cables and putting the chain on, I tested it and discovered a couple problems:

-The rear dérailleur shifts up, but does not shift back down.
-The front dérailleur doesn't shift at all because the grip shift can't turn.

What have I done wrong here?

Parts I'm using:
Front Dérailleur/Shifter = Shimano Deore LX, SRAM Centera
Read Dérailleur/Shifter = SRAM X.7, SRAM 7.0

Thanks!
  Reply
#2
Look at the tutorials on this site. On my computer they are right on top of this thread.

Undo your cables set high and low screws on both so they are around 1/8 inch inside and 1/8 inch outside the chain (set chain on inside sprockets and than outside for this)than adjust as indicated. Screw in barrels to get longest cable and attach with a bit of slack, just a touch in the inboard position. Than tune with the screw barrel as you turn the crank. If you do not have a stand try this upside down or hang bike with ropes.

Usually if the dérailleur does not shift down its because the cable is too tight.

Grip shifts are problematic, make sure all is clean and lubricated.
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply
#3
(08-18-2010, 02:53 PM)GeorgeET Wrote:  Look at the tutorials on this site. On my computer they are right on top of this thread.

Undo your cables set high and low screws on both so they are around 1/8 inch inside and 1/8 inch outside the chain (set chain on inside sprockets and than outside for this)than adjust as indicated. Screw in barrels to get longest cable and attach with a bit of slack, just a touch in the inboard position. Than tune with the screw barrel as you turn the crank. If you do not have a stand try this upside down or hang bike with ropes.

Usually if the dérailleur does not shift down its because the cable is too tight.

Grip shifts are problematic, make sure all is clean and lubricated.

Thanks for the response.
I've watched related videos on this site and countless others on Youtube up till this morning. Set the screws, undid/redid the cables, adjusted the barrels etc. as you (and the videos) suggested and it's still not shifting back down. On top of that the upper pulley is griding against the cassette and adjusting the b screw is doing nothing to stop that.

The grips-shifts are all clean as they are brand new.

Don't even know what the heck is going on anymore. Just a hair away from putting this bike craigslist and buying a new one...
  Reply
#4
Don't give up. Take it to a LBS for tune up. No big deal.
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply
#5
Hi , I'm new and not sure if I'm asking my question in the right place but here goes. I have a 12 Year old Giant ATX 780 with Shimano Deore XT Rapid Fire Shifter . Left shifter has lost it's locking ability. Should I brave the dismantling as per Alex's video, or is this shifter broken?
Thanks. ( Great site by the way)
  Reply
#6
Well if its broken you got nothing to loose. Try spraying some cleaner in there and when dry some lubricant.

If that does not fix it replace it.

Make sure the problem is the shifter first.
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply
#7
(08-20-2010, 10:38 PM)GeorgeET Wrote:  Well if its broken you got nothing to loose. Try spraying some cleaner in there and when dry some lubricant.

If that does not fix it replace it.

Make sure the problem is the shifter first.

Thanks, I think I will take a stab at it! There's no clicking or locking so that's why I assumed the problem is with the shifter.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
3,386
06-05-2020, 03:56 PM
Last Post: ollie.olsson
 
4,633
05-25-2020, 09:56 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
4,887
05-03-2020, 08:45 AM
Last Post: CharleyFarley
 
7,539
01-07-2020, 03:37 PM
Last Post: Bam Bam
 
25,847
08-25-2014, 10:17 PM
Last Post: 1FJEF
 
9,112
06-06-2014, 11:25 AM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
11,883
05-02-2014, 02:46 PM
Last Post: cny-man
 
9,141
01-14-2014, 04:05 PM
Last Post: 1FJEF

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
New to the Forum - Introduction
Today 05:38 PM
Would you like a pizza after cycling?
Today 02:10 AM
Hardtail as only bike?
Yesterday 05:23 PM
Spoke Count Preference
Yesterday 09:17 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
Yesterday 03:34 AM
Are you mainly into Mountain Biking, Roa...
Yesterday 02:20 AM
New around here
07-11-2026 10:53 AM
Favorite MTB brand?
07-10-2026 03:16 AM
29"front & 26" rear? Thoughts?
07-10-2026 03:13 AM
suspicious broken part after service--is...
07-09-2026 02:45 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
27 posts
no avatar 2. meamoantonio
17 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
17 posts
no avatar 4. ReapThaWhirlwind
15 posts
no avatar 5. Mr. Beanz
13 posts