New bike front derailleur not shifting

[mwktar]

It's back in for its service this weekend. I just wanted to make sure it was cable tension and nothing more serious as I've a major ride next weekend.

Your incredibly helpful input is noted however

 

[mwktar]

Actually, ignore my arsey reply. 8:50 and my day is already awful.

 

[Crandoggler]

Justified.

Bellend answer.

 

[Tim Hall]

Justified.

Bellend answer.

In your humble opinion (and so politely expressed too). @mickle is right. There seems to be a "thing" amongst cyclists to accept goods that aren't fit for purpose. Why do we do it? If I'd spent a hefty wedge on something, I want it to work, especially if it's only a few weeks old. @mwktar, your apology was well timed and a Good Thing. Hope you get the bike fixed soon.

 

[Banjo]

Mickle speaks sense Mwktar this is exactly the reason they offer a free 6 week check up on new bikes.

Cable may have stretched or come loose. if you have a big ride coming up get it back to the shop before it.

There may be other adjustments needed you haven't noticed yet.

It will take the shop about 10 minutes to do the check and adjust the cables,maybe you can ring and get it done now instead of the weekend.

Good Luck on the ride.

 

[mwktar]

It wasn't the resulting advice that got me, more the execution

 

[mickle]

I meant no offence.

We do see a lot of: 'my brand new bike doesn't work properly, I've tried hitting it with a spanner and my brothers mate told me how to feltch the flange gasket and now the Thruxton is chafed. What should I do?' style of posts.

What's worse is not that people post such posts but that members who should know better think that it's OK to respond with anything other than: 'Take it back to the shop'.



I

 

[winjim]

It wasn't the resulting advice that got me, more the execution

It's his way...

 

[summerdays]

Take it back to the shop is the right answer, given its new. It probably is cable stretch and if you are certain it is, and you know how to deal with it go ahead. If you aren't sure, and the problem is something else they should cover that though they might not if you have been adjusting things in the meantime as they could say it was something you had done yourself.

 

[mwktar]

To be honest, the main reason i wanted to potch myself is that the shop is a bit of a trek away. If (as it turned out to be) it was a tension thing, i'd rather know beforehand that it was, and nothing more serious.

Just in case the shop assumed it was (and it wasn't) a tension thing and the "real" cause kicked in on the ride next weekend.

Thanks for the advice etc though folks.

 

[bykeshed]

Did as advised (pulled the cable taught) but there still doesn't seem to be quite enough tension to pull the derailleur up far enough.

I was doing it by hand - be ok to use a pliers to pull and get that extra bit of tension?

You'll struggle to get the derailleur to move properly by pulling on the cable, you'd be surprised how much tension they offer. While you can see the slack in the cable, give your derailleur a push from behind (from the left pedal side of the bike). If there's movement in the derailleur I'd say you could relax about it being anything serious. If you know where the cable anchor point is, set the front gears to the smallest cog. Loosen the anchor point, pull the cable from the end until there's no more slack, tighten the anchor tightish. You should be able to get the derailleur to move by using the shifters to change as normal. If the derailleur moves smoothly, you've ruled out cable problems within the shifter housing. If the derailleur won't budge or it feels notchy, you could have problems in the shifter housing and you'd be best leaving it til you get your service.

If the derailleur moves smoothly once you've taken out the slack, all you should need then is the gears setting properly.

Yes the shop could sort all of this out in one go, but who's to say what they may try and 'blame' you for. Best to try and get a handle of what's wrong, then you can go in more confident that you won't be ripped off. (Not all bike shops are bad... might just be where I live... except my shop of course...).