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

New: Take Part in the new April's Giveaway for a Chance to Win the Euybike S4 Pro Max ebike worth $1299


Rear Derailleur won't use entire range of gears!
#1
I don't understand what is going wrong. I have an older Trek mountain bike. The shifter is Shimano XT 8 speed, the rear derailleur is a Shimano Deore XT 8 SIS, and the crankset is an 8 speed Suntour Powerflo. It only uses moves along five gears. It ranges between the second to the largest down to the 3rd from the smallest. I have tried to loosen the cable entirely and see if the derailler moves all along the rear crankset. It only moves along those three gears and I also bottom out on my shifter. What do you think could be wrong? It is acting like a 5 speed system but as far as I can see it is an 8 speed system. Very strange.

  Reply
#2
It sounds like your limit screws might be too tight. Check the following video at about 1:10
http://bikeride.com/adjust-rear-derailleur/
Let me know if that helps!

  Reply
#3
Awesome! That helped with the derailleur. It is moving the entire range of gears now. But, I am still having problems with my shifter. It still only clicks/changes gears like it is a 5 speed shifter rather than an 8 which it clearly says on the shifter. It also seems that it is hard to press the lever that moves the gears to the larger part of the crank set. Could it be gunked up, rusted, or something. How could I fix that or should I get another shifter? This website is great by the way I think the tutorials are great!!

  Reply
#4
If it's a rapid-fire shifter (with thumb and forefinger levers), sometimes they get gunked up and you can loosen them by squirting some tri-flow or light oil into the body and working through the gears. If that doesn't work you may have to take it apart.

  Reply
#5
Thanks Alex. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I'll put some of the lubricant you recommended on it, if it doesn't free up we'll see how it goes taking it apart.

  Reply
#6
I just made a <a href="http://bikeride.com/rapid-fire-shifters/">video</a> that might help with this...

  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Good morning form Alberta CA
Today 09:40 AM
Unlocking speed on my e-bike.
Yesterday 01:04 PM
MTB handlebar width
Yesterday 06:25 AM
What is your favorite MTB trail/route in...
Yesterday 06:16 AM
What are the best cost effective ways to...
Yesterday 06:07 AM
Bridgestone Blouson bike.
04-26-2025 07:57 PM
Thoughts on paceline riding
04-26-2025 05:51 PM
2011 GT Tachyon upgrade/mod
04-26-2025 05:04 PM
RECOMMENDATION
04-26-2025 05:01 PM
Injury Recovery
04-26-2025 04:59 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. GirishH
22 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
16 posts
no avatar 3. Flowrider
15 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
13 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
12 posts