I'm in a Pickle (Downtube Conversion Problems)

[Gert Lush]

Today I managed to finish up converting my downtube shifters to STI's. I managed to cable it up but I have many problems.

I bought them second hand and they were advertised as 2x8. But the left hand one clicks three times so I think it may be a triple but I don't think that should be a problem but when I hooked it up. On the first click the front derailer hardly moves the second it moves a little bit more and on the third one it switches to the big chainring but clatters a bit like it's not quite on properly.

More problems on the back! The first three clicks of the lever do nothing to the rear derailer, it doesn't move. The fourth moves it to the third sprocket and then each click from them moves it up by one so it ends up on the sixth one. This is going from small to big.

Is this fixable? I'm probably going to take it to my LBS but I'd like some info before I do so I can see if it's possible to do myself.

Thanks for any help and sorry for the ridiculous amount of new threads I've been making. I couldn't find anything in the search.

Mike

 

[screenman]

Are the cables adjusted, properly?

 

[Gert Lush]

Are the cables adjusted, properly?

Could you expand on that please? I'm not sure what you mean

 

[screenman]

Do you have a lot of slack in them, are the mechs compatible with the levers.

 

[Smokin Joe]

It sounds like you haven't indexed it properly. Drop the chain on the smallest sprocket and pull the cable tight, same with the front. You might need some fine adjusting with the barrel adjuster on the rear mech to tune it in. The extra click on the front shifter is just to trim the mech so it doesn't rub against the chain when it's running at an angle.

YouTube video here -


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTprZHCwoNc

 

[arch684]

Watch a few video's on how to index front and rear derailleurs on you tube

 

[winjim]

What make and model are they? A Campagnolo Quickshift for example does take three clicks to move up at the front but only one to move back down.

Your problems sound like cable tension to me, too slack by the sound of it.

Chainrings at the front, sprockets at the back.

 

[Gert Lush]

Do you have a lot of slack in them, are the mechs compatible with the levers.

No they are pretty taut really. Some slack but not much.

I think so? I have a 7 on the back with 8 cog things but I asked and that shouldn't matter. The levers are Shimano Sora and the back is Shimano too.

 

[Gert Lush]

Watch a few video's on how to index front and rear derailleurs on you tube

Ah! I will!

 

[Gert Lush]

Chainrings at the front, sprockets at the back.

Thanks! I felt like an idiot writing cogs! Haha

 

[roadrash]

this video should help with rear indexing...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkzvfCaIbyQ

 

[Mobytek]

Modern STIs have 3 or 4 settings for the FD to allow for trimming. If youre in small ring and large cog, youre all in line. When you move up the cassett it starts to rub at the front mech - so a first click moved the front mech about 2mm towards the big ring. If you head back down the gears it'll rub on the inside again.

Then you move to the large ring and same again, inner and outer positions to allow for trimming.

I;ve had 8 jobs this season of " my gears needs adjusting on my new road bike". aCtually, you just need to learn how to use them / be told of the modern technology.

Jeez how I love the LBS with the grumpy sod that doent want to tell peole stuff, just get it out and sold - he makes me a fortune!