New bike, slight problem with gears ** FIXED **

[Joe D]

Hi folks,
I've just a couple of weeks ago brought a brand new bike but right from the start the gears are not indexing (think that's the right word) properly. When I'm in the middle region of the rear cassette, the chain will of its own accord skip to the next highest gear e.g. 3 onto 4 then jump back again without me touching the gear change lever. Doesn't happen when I get down to maybe 5 or 6 of the 7 cogs. I've just put up with it so far but it does get quite annoying and I avoid it where possible by staying in the higher gears.

I've looked at the rear derailleur videos in another thread and it was very helpful so am I right in saying I just need to tighten the cable tension adjuster anti clockwise? I'm wary of trying to fix it but only making it far worse.

The rear derailleur is a Shimano Alivio RD-M410 if that helps and the bike itself was over £350 so not exactly a BSO.

I'm happy with the bike overall so don't really want to go down the route of complaining to the supplier. Do you think the bike has just not been set up correctly or maybe taken a knock in transit. I work for a parcel company that delivers bikes so I know how some people don't care much how they handle things.

Regards,
Joe

 

[ianrauk]

Take it back to where you bought it. For a new bike they should adjust the gears for you for free.

 

[Banjo]

Almost all new bikes need the cable tension on the gear change mechanisms adjusted after a few weeks.usually just needs tightening a bit ,if you bought from a shop take it in and they will do it for you in 2 minutes if bought over the net you will have to DIY or pay the shop.

 

[MacB]

if you are doing it yourself then, as well as the excellent video Ian posted up, you can also check alignment by looking at the chain on the rear cog. See if the teeth of the cog are central in the holes in the chain, slightly off to either side can cause chatter, a lot off can cause slippage. The adjuster barrel doesn't need turning very far.

 

[accountantpete]

Hi Joe D - you can easily sort it out yourself and you'll know what to do next time.

Turn the bike upside down and have a look at how the chain rides on the cassette.

You should see that the chain is not central on the sprocket and that it's almost brushing one of the sprockets next to it.

Turn the cable adjuster either way by a quarter turn and the chain will either be more central to the sprocket (in which case have a ride and check it out) or move even closer to the next sprocket (in which case you turn the adjuster a half turn the other way and check).

 

[Joe D]

Sorry, should have stated that it was bought online or else I would have taken it back in to get fixed. I will try having a go with the advice offered before I go to work this afternoon. The bike is really nice apart from this one small problem so don't want to have the hassle of sending it back. Thanks again.

 

[MacB]

Sorry, should have stated that it was bought online or else I would have taken it back in to get fixed. I will try having a go with the advice offered before I go to work this afternoon. The bike is really nice apart from this one small problem so don't want to have the hassle of sending it back. Thanks again.

Nothing wrong with that Joe, I did the same but, anticipating some setup issues and being new to cycling, I took the step of booking a local mobile bike mechanic to do the setup with me and give the bike an overall safety check. I can't remember now but think it was £20/30 I paid and I thought it was money well spent due to the hands on instruction. Now that I know a bit more(and have some proper tools) the online videos work well for me, but you're probably not starting out as clueless as I did.

 

[Joe D]

Now working perfectly, thanks everyone.