W

[Roger Longbottom]

W

 

[fossyant]

That's clean ?

Check there isn't a load of mud and dirt between the cable stops and screws, because that looks fairly grubby just above the limit screws.

As it worked fine to start with, and then stopped, muck and dirt.

 

[GetFatty]

Also this kind of messing with gear cables isn't that bad (as someone who has the mechanical capabilities of a blind gorilla). Just put the shifter into the lowest gear, undo the small nut holding the cable in place, hand pull the cable tight again, do up the nut and try again.

But also as one whose bikes are a bit dirty, that needs cleaning properly before you do anything else

 

[Threevok]

Mine won't change from the largest ring to the middle.

I have to give it a kick

I really must get around to cleaning it this weekend

 

[confusedcyclist]

Give it a good clean and lubricate the pivot points. Unclamp the cable, and fully extend the retract the derailleur 10 times by hand in case it's just seizing with road salt/grime.

Then follow these instructions in case something else is off.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNG7g83lI-s&feature=emb_logo

 

[Milkfloat]

As well as introducing it to soap and water, consider some new cables, especially if you have problems shifting to a smaller ring.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Panic over, after going back to it with oodles of spray lube and leaving it a bit, a slight turn and re tighten on the mech and Bobs your uncle, it works.

So I suppose the moral of the story is clean it more often!

Full mudguards prevent this sort of problem enormously.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

That's clean ?

That's very clean compared to how mine usually are, I'm surprised that you can't buy a guard that straps to the down tube to protect this area.

 

[fossyant]

Mine won't change from the largest ring to the middle.

I have to give it a kick

I really must get around to cleaning it this weekend

 

[fossyant]

To be honest fossyant it is only my winter / beater bike. My summer best bike is a different matter. You could eat your dinner off that one, probably because it spends six months a year in the spare bedroom!!

That's why it's not working. My MTB only ever looks like that after a ride, an hour later it's clean. Left on dirt get's stuck where you don't want it.

 

[boydj]

It's also a good idea to check the cable inside the shifter. The cable tends to fray in there over time, affecting the shift to a smaller cog or ring.

 

[Gunk]

Flip the bike upside down and make sure the cable guides under the BB are well greased, it makes a big difference to the shifting quality.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Don't remember us actually doing anything, but you;re welcome