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Shop Talk | Rear Dereailleur Adjustment
Rear Derailleurs have a lot of adjustment dimensions. There's not a clearly defined method for making those adjustments properly. Below, I will list the method I use to make the process easier and less prone to error.
I will note, if you're uncomfortable handling tools and things mechanical, don't get into this. I've seen people lose the derailleur to the wheel, the wheel, and sometimes even a carbon frame. Misadjusting the rear derailleur can have dire consequences. Take it to your mechanic. Me.
Step-By-Step Derailleur Adjustment
- Make sure that the derailleur hanger is straight
- Make sure the derailleur fixing bolt is tight
- Disconnect the derailleur cable
- Now dial in your high and low limits by physically pushing the derailleur to the low and high cogs; gently! Adjust your H and L screws so that the chain makes no strange or shifting sounds in those two cogs
- Back off all barrel adjusters associated with this system
- Attach your derailleur cable to the derailleur using the pinch bolt (gum or duct-tape attachments that work get a star) in the default (usually high) position (Hint: XTR, XT, XX1, X01 and similar derailleurs typically like a little cable slack, maybe 2mm from the tight position at the pinch bolt)
- Begin shifting while pedaling the system
- Make necessary barrel adjustments to adjust tension on the cable if the shift isn't quite right
- Listen to each gear as the chain rides over it; no sounds should emanate that aren't simply the normal chain and cog interface
Below are two links to articles I've written for a local publication called, Cycling Utah, Cycling West. They're all about the rear derailleur.
Please give them a read. I worked diligently to simplify the terms and to familiarize you with the process. I hope you now have some insight to your derailleur questions!
-- Insight --