bent derraileur

[MattDB]

Hi, I recently purchased a very old road bike. Replaced all the brake and gear cables but having trouble with the front derraileur: seems like even on its lowest setting it doesn't shift onto the bottom set of gears (10 speed) and the chain seems to catch in every position. I suspect this is bent along several axis and I'm wondering about the skill level involved in trying to fix this myself.... I'm not quite sure what it should look like - could I end up doing more harm than good?

Or I might need a whole new derraileur? Is there a way I could tell?

All the best,

Matt

 

[Globalti]

You'll only get a sensible answer if you take it along to a good bike shop and show it to a mechanic. Don't go to a bike supermarket like Evans or Halfrauds.

 

[Cycleops]

Can we have some pics? I can't really get my head around the problem as you describe it. Could just need adjusting.

 

[fossyant]

Pics please. From above and side. It could be badly fitted and the high low screws not adjusted.

 

[MattDB]

Hi, thanks for comments, as I was taking the pics I realised it was lined up well with the chain but the view from the side looked like it had been rotated clockwise 20 degrees or so. A rough bend back and shifting reasonably well. I'm sure it's not perfect abd I think it's definitely mounted slightly higher than it should be but perhaps I should be grateful it's more or less working?