Indexing nightmare

[Tim Hall]

I'll try replace the front cable. Funnily enough, I ordered a replacement cable and casing last time I had the indexing problem but assumed it had been resolved with a barrel adjustment. The outer sheath that it came with the cable isn't identical to the one on my bike, so I'll try lube up the new cable and stick it through the old outer sheath.

What can I do to free up the mech, aside from thorough cleaning and lubing? I did that 2 weeks ago.

I think putting the new cable in an old outer isn't worth it. Typically the outer has a plastic liner, then the steel strands then the plastic cover. The liner can wear causing all kinds of shifting grief. (As an aside, make sure you have gear cable outers, not brake cable outers. Gear cable outer is parallel strands, brake cable is spiral wrapped. Brake cable outer will screw up the indexing no end).

Does the mech move freely with the cable disconnected? Push it across against the spring by hand and release. Does it ping back? If it does, it's free enough already.

 

[Cyclopathic]

I have noticed that with bikes left for a long time that the shifters can seize up a bit if the grease inside congeals and sets. This seems to happen with clicky shifters so it might be worth squazing them liberally with GT as well as replacing the cables.

 

[confusedcyclist]

I think putting the new cable in an old outer isn't worth it. Typically the outer has a plastic liner, then the steel strands then the plastic cover. The liner can wear causing all kinds of shifting grief. (As an aside, make sure you have gear cable outers, not brake cable outers. Gear cable outer is parallel strands, brake cable is spiral wrapped. Brake cable outer will screw up the indexing no end).

Does the mech move freely with the cable disconnected? Push it across against the spring by hand and release. Does it ping back? If it does, it's free enough already.

Will have to wait until the weekend to experiment as I can't afford to be without the bike for the morning commute... as much as I love an evening fettle!

The gear cable I got is definitely a rear gear cable as apposed to the brake cable, however the cable outer is definitely not identical...

 

[confusedcyclist]

I just learnt you can cut the outer cable housings... doh!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za3Z_GHXCAw

 

[confusedcyclist]

Opened up my shifter casing (slightly different to a road bike setup with my hyrbid MTB shifters) and there was no signs of grease/build up whatsoever, so bit the bullet and decided to swap out the cable this afternoon.

After a scare that I didn't have the right tools for the job, having cut the old cable with blunt pliers, I ended up with a frayed mess everywhere, for a while it looked I would be out of action for tomorrows commute. Thankfully I managed to find some sharp cutters and managed to get some clean cuts the cables and swapped out the outer tubes too. Success! Front gears seem to be shifting perfectly again! I need to work on the front derailleur now as that today has just started playing up... typical. I think this is going to be the same story and need a new cable so that's a story for next weekend...

Took the oppertunity to degrease/clean and lube all components, fit my new mini pump frame, grease the seat post and more. My hands are filthy and sore. Managed to do all this without a bike repair stand but have immediately ordered one as I cannot deal with the hassle when I take a peak at the rear cable next week.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Just remembered, for some reason the new cable I ordered didn't come with the alloy ferrules that you clamp on the end of the cable. I'm worried I will end up with a frayed end if I don't sort something out. Any ideas what I can do instead of the ferrules?

 

[smokeysmoo]

This seems to be the universally accepted superb video regarding gear set up

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Just remembered, for some reason the new cable I ordered didn't come with the alloy ferrules that you clamp on the end of the cable. I'm worried I will end up with a frayed end if I don't sort something out. Any ideas what I can do instead of the ferrules?

Buy some later - they cost pennies. Other solutions used are a blob of solder, dip in super glue, seal the end with insulating tape.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Cheers, that should tide me over

 

[confusedcyclist]

My new repair stand arrived tonight, I couldn't resist having an evening fettle with the front mech. Its much fiddlier than the rear derailluer but having the repair stand made life much easier. I haven't quite mastered the limiter setting, and it sounds like I'm still getting some chain rub in certain positions (worst offender is front cog in largest, and rear cog in smallest...) for the life of me
I couldn't work out what I was doing wrong, but shifting is much better, I'll have another bash after this weekend's wash/lube up.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Try tightening the cable a smidgeon more - which should pull the derailleur out a little further (assuming that your High stop screw is set correctly.....If not, try unscrewing it a little further.)

 

[2clepto]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On57Tl9qYRM

 

[confusedcyclist]

Resurrecting this thread as I have made little progress as of late (finally got my hands on the road bike of my dreams) so MTB has been getting much less love lately, but with winter approaching, I need to think about getting the bike back in shape, also I want to start going out for my food shopping with it.

Despite my efforts at cleaning, lubing and reassembly I am still having problems shifting up to 6th on my 8 speed rear derailleur, having to skip up to 7th and drop back down to ride in 6th. It's definitely not an issue with cable tension or dirty cables as they have been replaced and spent hours tweaking tension with no success. The front derailleur performance is also terrible, I have now all but given up.

Should I just go to the LBS, or for similar price just order a brand new budget groupset?

 

[ayceejay]

I have just discovered 'derailleur hangers' and a bent one can cause the problem you describe.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Resurrecting this thread as I have made little progress as of late (finally got my hands on the road bike of my dreams) so MTB has been getting much less love lately, but with winter approaching, I need to think about getting the bike back in shape, also I want to start going out for my food shopping with it.

Despite my efforts at cleaning, lubing and reassembly I am still having problems shifting up to 6th on my 8 speed rear derailleur, having to skip up to 7th and drop back down to ride in 6th. It's definitely not an issue with cable tension or dirty cables as they have been replaced and spent hours tweaking tension with no success. The front derailleur performance is also terrible, I have now all but given up.

Should I just go to the LBS, or for similar price just order a brand new budget groupset?

As already mentioned your rear derailleur problems do sound very much like a bent hanger. If the hanger is bent - you will never get the gears to index across the range and getting a new derailleur won't fix it either. Have a really good look at the derailleur from behind - if it looks misaligned, it probably is. If your bike has a replaceable hanger they cost about £10, but they are specific to the bike so you need to make sure you replace like for like. You can look on eBay and most sellers include picture charts to help you identify the correct model. Check both sides as a slight difference may make the hanger unusable on the wrong bike. If you don't have a replaceable hanger - it's best taken to your LBS. You can get an alignment tool - but they're not cheap for a one off repair.