Can someone explain 'trim' to me?

[Yazzoo]

I don't get it! What is it, why/when/how should I be using it?

Sorry for (hopefully uncharacteristically) blonde question!

 

[Pale Rider]

Only use of 'trim' in cycling I can think of is for the front mech.

The clever Shimano electric shift system automatically 'trims' the front mech so the chain never rubs, no matter what combination of front and rear cogs you select.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Trim makes a small adjustment to the chain path if the chain is rubbing against the front derailleur. It's like a "half click" of the shifter.

 

[Hacienda71]

Some front mech/gear changers have more than one position on a selected front cog (trim) two clicks on the shifter, so there is less chance of the chain rubbing on the mech cage. The latest Sram red groups does it automatically.

 

[Yazzoo]

Oh I see, so if I'm in (ignore my layman's terminology!) the big ring at the front are there possibly two different 'clicks' for the front ring to correspond with different ends of the cassette?

 

[Hacienda71]

That's it.

 

[Yazzoo]

Hoorah! Thank you, so how will I know when to change/change is needed?

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Hoorah! Thank you, so how will I know when to change/change is needed?

When you can hear the chain rubbing against the derailleur cage as you pedal.

 

[Yazzoo]

Ah, I've never heard it rubbing, someone mentioned 'trim' to me in passing and I didn't have the chance to discuss!

Do all bikes have it? Is it just the big ring that has the extra trim click or does the little one also?

 

[fossyant]

Even better on a down tube shifter, you have infinite trim on the front shifter. No rattles !!!!! OLD SKOOL

 

[MichaelW2]

Even better on a down tube shifter, you have infinite trim on the front shifter. No rattles !!!!! OLD SKOOL

Or Campagnolo shifters using many small clicks rather than 3 main positions.

 

[ufkacbln]

It is also possible you have a "admirer" offering you a compliment!


Trim can also mean "in good physical condition", of "Having lines, edges, or forms of neat and pleasing simplicity."

 

[bpsmith]

Ah, I've never heard it rubbing, someone mentioned 'trim' to me in passing and I didn't have the chance to discuss!

Do all bikes have it? Is it just the big ring that has the extra trim click or does the little one also?

Trim is a half click in between changing from big to small as well as small to big at the front. It works on both changes.

If you want to go a cog or two higher on the back whilst still in the small ring then trim helps. Similarly, if in big ring and want a slightly lower gear at back, then trim works here too.

Basically allows you full range at the back on both small and big ring at the front.

 

[Yazzoo]

Trim is a half click in between changing from big to small as well as small to big at the front. It works on both changes.

If you want to go a cog or two higher on the back whilst still in the small ring then trim helps. Similarly, if in big ring and want a slightly lower gear at back, then trim works here too.

Basically allows you full range at the back on both small and big ring at the front.

Perfect thanks

It is also possible you have a "admirer" offering you a compliment!


Trim can also mean "in good physical condition", of "Having lines, edges, or forms of neat and pleasing simplicity."

How I wish this was what they meant!

 

[Dan B]

Only use of 'trim' in cycling I can think of is for the front mech.

The clever Shimano electric shift system automatically 'trims' the front mech so the chain never rubs, no matter what combination of front and rear cogs you select.

And if that doesn't work, try kicking it