Fixing my rear mech to run in one gear only

[JPBoothy]

Hi All, sorry for the late post (which I hope is in the right section) but I have been doing some late night fettling in the garage and need your expertise please. I have decided to try running my cross bike with flat bars for a trial period, but before splashing out on the shifters I want to just fix the chain in a straight line and run it like a single speed to make sure I like the idea. Can I move the rear mech by hand into a more manageable gear and then fix it in place using the high/low screws ? if so, which one should I adjust and how do I do it ? As always, your help will be much appreciated

 

[classic33]

You can fix it with the limit screws but they are not really geared up to push the mech that far toward the middle of the cassette. It is better to get a tiny bit of old brake or gear cable, about 5cm with the nipple attached. Put the cable with the nipple butted up against the adjuster and clamp the loose end so that it holds the mech in the correct place.
I'll try to do a photo.

Currently using the same method on the front, rear derailleur on the Brox. Set by hand and then as you suggest, using the barrel adjuster to move & hold it in place. Worked now for the last five years, with nothing required other than checking it is still in line.

Something like this. Neither adjusting/stop screw is holding it place. Just the gear cable, head in the barrel adjuster.

 

[classic33]

No I won't because I don't need to now

Replacement rear, rear derailleur for the Brox.

 

[Cyclist33]

Er... Just don't change gear.

 

[JPBoothy]

You can fix it with the limit screws but they are not really geared up to push the mech that far toward the middle of the cassette. It is better to get a tiny bit of old brake or gear cable, about 5cm with the nipple attached. Put the cable with the nipple butted up against the adjuster and clamp the loose end so that it holds the mech in the correct place.
I'll try to do a photo.

What a simple (but great) fix fella's! Job done! Thank you all for your help and quick responses. LBS's can be hard work at times, and I often find that they want to talk you out of things rather than helping/advising you on how to overcome a problem.

I have been toying with the idea of ditching the drops for a while now due to a posture problem that had finally started to put me off riding the bike at all. I know that drops have the advantages of various hand positions, and that you can get down out of the wind etc, but believe me I have exhausted the options of changing my bike set-up so that I can keep them. In the end it was a case of the bike lying in the garage un-used, or sticking on some flats and getting back to enjoying the freedom of riding a bike again.

I have got to ask 'Classic 33', why have you had your Brox set-up like that for five years ? Thanks again chaps

 

[classic33]

What a simple (but great) fix fella's! Job done! Thank you all for your help and quick responses. LBS's can be hard work at times, and I often find that they want to talk you out of things rather than helping/advising you on how to overcome a problem.

I have been toying with the idea of ditching the drops for a while now due to a posture problem that had finally started to put me off riding the bike at all. I know that drops have the advantages of various hand positions, and that you can get down out of the wind etc, but believe me I have exhausted the options of changing my bike set-up so that I can keep them. In the end it was a case of the bike lying in the garage un-used, or sticking on some flats and getting back to enjoying the freedom of riding a bike again.

I have got to ask 'Classic 33', why have you had your Brox set-up like that for five years ? Thanks again chaps

Two required. One just behind the seat, hub gear. The second on the rear, as though its only single speed, both rings can be changed. Easier than splitting the chain as and when changes are made.

The one in the earlier picture is to replace the current one, that took a hit, twisting it slightly. 10 years old as well.

 

[JPBoothy]

Wow, nice ride..

 

[classic33]

Wow, nice ride..

Fun to ride.

 

[JPBoothy]

Okay, the testing period is now over and I am satisfied that the Drops can go and the Flats can stay.. In fact, after enjoying riding my bike around for a week in Single Speed mode that too may be an option for the future. I enjoyed the clutter free bars and not having to think about being in the right gear when picking my way through town etc.. Not ready to start stripping everything off such a nice bike as my Cannondale CAADX yet though, it would just seem so wrong. I would rather buy a clunker and modify it as a project I think.. The other thing that pleased me was just how good the Canti brakes are with flat levers. I can stop on a Sixpence (only people of a certain age will understand that saying I'm afraid).. Sorry, starting to waffle a bit now - Anyway, I have ordered my new Shimano 10spd Flat-Bar shifters (Road not Mtb), but I am not sure if the same Front Mech will be suitable for the Thumb Shifters as was used for my Drop-Bar STI's ? It is a Tiagra FD4600. The guy at Chain Reaction says it is, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that the cable pull ratio may be different.. Also, has anybody got any tips for setting-up my new levers ? Is it best to start with the chain on the biggest, or the smallest chain-ring and sprocket ?