Front derailleur sticking, not shifting. Will soaking in solvent damage parts?

Asked by: Janet Royer

How do you fix a front derailleur that won’t shift?

Pull the cable as tight as feasible with your fingers and retighten the anchor bolt. Try to shift up to the larger chainring. If the chain won’t shift or feels sluggish, twist the inline barrel adjuster further up the cable (turn it anti-clockwise) to increase the tension and try again.

How do you clean a front derailleur?

Quote from video: Your favorite bike wash and liberally spray down the front derailleur. Once. The derailleur is soaked with cleaner shift the derailleur a few times to work the cleaner into the pivot point wipe.

How tight should front derailleur cable be?

It is generally a good idea to lubricate the pivot point of the front derailleur with a light lubricant. The cable inner wires should also be lubricated. If you have loosen the inner wire pinch bolt, lubricate those threads as well. When tightening this pinch bolt, secure to approximately 30-40 inch-pounds.

How do you adjust the tension on a front derailleur?

Quote from video: The limit screws. Just how far the derailleur can move either out or in but to actually control the movement of the derailleur. That's all down to cable tension. So limit screws limit the derailleur.

Why are my bike gears not shifting?

This is usually caused by an overly tight gear cable or the low limiting screw that needs adjusting. You can test this by shifting to the lowest gear and seeing if your front derailleur is in line with the smallest chainring. If not, try adjusting the limiting screw. Alternatively, your gear cable may be too tight.

What happens if front derailleur is too high?

Derailleur Alignment & Positioning



Most front derailleurs can be adjusted for height and rotation. If the cage is set too high over the largest ring, it may not perform well. Too high a cage can cause a slow shift, and can allow the chain to shift over the largest ring.

Can you use a toothbrush to clean a bike chain?

To spot-clean the chain while it’s still on your bike: Brush out the links with a firm brush (an old toothbrush also works). Relubricate the links from time to time with a chain lubricant. Wipe off excess lubricant with a clean, dry rag.

How do you lubricate bike shifters?

Quote from video: Use an evaporative degreaser like white lightning clean streak to remove the grit and dried up grease that is accumulated in the shifter mechanism.

Do you grease jockey wheels?

Oil the jockey wheels



Whether you’re replacing them or leaving the existing ones in place, your jockey wheels would probably appreciate a squirt of lube. Remember to use the lube appropriate to the seasonal conditions you’re likely to encounter.

Should you adjust the front or rear derailleur first?

In a nutshell, adjust the front derailleur first, then the rear. Show activity on this post. If the derailers just need minor tweaking (they are basically in adjustment but are “not quite right”) then you adjust the one that is obviously wrong, check the overall adjustment again, then again adjust what needs adjusting.

How tight should bike shift cables be?

Quote from video: Once you've done that. And you'll get more than five millimeters of play here as a good indication that your cable is loose.

How do I stop my bike chain from rubbing on the front derailleur?

If the chain is rubbing the outer edge of the derailleur cage, try increasing the cable tension using the barrel adjuster by turning it counterclockwise one quarter to one half turn at a time—increasing the tension will pull the cage out and farther away from the bike.

Why is my bike gear shifter stuck?

If the gears on your bike are properly indexed, each single click of the shifter will cause a single shift up or down the gears, front or rear. If you find you’re skipping a gear or that your shifting is getting stuck, then there’s a good chance you need to adjust your indexing.

Why can I move my shifter but it won’t move into gear?

The real reason for a faulty gear shifter differs from vehicle to vehicle. However, the most significant probable cause is a poor construction or attachment of a flexible cable to the gear selector and transmission connection.

Is my derailleur worn out?

Quote from video: Похожие запросы

How do you clean a derailleur gear and lube?

Quote from video: So you want to be spraying onto a rag or spraying directly onto. The brush that you're using to clean it. So also the rear derailleur itself can house quite a lot of muck. Especially around the guide.

How do you clean a derailleur on a bike chain?

Quote from video: And the grime is. Right up and then the chain and the easiest way I've found to do this just take your brush. And just flat pad of you're probably going to have to add more cleaner on as you go.

Should you lube your cassette?

Condensed answer: The cogs of a bike cassette do not require lubrication due to their structure and function. Lubricating them can cause harm by creating a sticky layer attracting dirt.

How do you lubricate a bike derailleur?

Lube Them: Drip T-9 onto each pivot point (rear derailleur; front derailleur; rear brake; front brake) every few months (more if you ride in wet conditions) to keep them protected and working well. Wipe off excess lube so it doesn’t attract dirt. Never Use: Lubricant on brake pads, rotors, or rims.

Can you use wd40 on bike gears?

As a matter of fact, WD-40 will actually strip away any existing lubricant and leave your drivetrain dry – metal on metal. Basically, spraying this stuff on your chain is worse than using no lubricant at all! Obviously, I strongly recommend using chain oil purchased from your local bike shop.

Is wd40 good for bikes?

WD-40 is a great bike chain lube water based lubricant and will not only lubricate the chain well, but will also keep it rust and corrosion free. It also minimizes the accumulation of dirt which reduces the wear and tear of the chain.