How do you adjust the limit screws on a rear derailleur?

Asked by: Inga Hartung

If the limit is set too far towards the spokes, turn the L-Screw clockwise and the derailleur moves to the right. Should the limit be set too tight and the chain cannot climb to the largest sprocket, turn the L-Screw counter clockwise until the sprocket and pulley are aligned perfectly.

How do you adjust a limiter screw?

Turn the screw clockwise to move it slightly further down the block and anti-clockwise to move it up similarly you can use the other screw to make adjustments to the lower end of the range.

Why do rear derailleurs have limit screws?

If you look closely as the derailleur moves, you can see the limit screws stopping the derailleur at each end of it’s travel. The main purpose for the limit screw is to prevent the chain from going into the spokes or into the frame. Tightening the H-limit screw restricts the limit as shown.

What do the 3 screws on a derailleur do?

B-Tension is an adjustment using that mysterious third screw on the back of your rear derailleur. Its proper adjustment is the final step to clean and quiet shifting. It also provides a degree of chain tension assuming: Chain is properly installed and the right length.

Do limit screws affect shifting?

Limit screws set the extremes for which a derailleur can travel. Too often people wrongly play with these screws when shifting goes bad. Another to consider is B-tension, which adjusts the rear derailleur body angle (or more simply, the height gap between the derailleur and cassette).

Which way do limit screws turn?

Turning the screw clockwise, moves the derailleur limit to the left, turning it counter clockwise, moves it to the right. In the end, the sprocket and the upper pulley should be aligned perfectly.

Which way do you turn a barrel adjuster?

To do this, turn the barrel adjuster (see below) counter clockwise. If the chain is not shifting well from the largest to the smallest chainring, then the inner wire tension needs to be lowered. To do this, turn the barrel adjuster clockwise.

How do you adjust H and L screws?

To adjust L-screw, pull on inner wire and shift outward one sprocket, then release inner wire to shift inward. Tighten L-screw until shifting is slow, then turn counter-clockwise 1/4 turn until good shifting is restored. The process above sets the limits to the tightest setting that still shifts well.

What does the B limit screw do?

The upper limit screw sets the maximum distance the derailleur can shift in high gears. The lower limit screw sets the maximum distance the derailleur can shift in the lower gears. The B-limit screw sets the distance the upper jockey wheel sits from the cogs.

What does H and L mean on a derailleur?

You need to adjust the high (H) and low (L) limit screws on the derailleur. Viewed from behind the bike, the H screw limits how far the derailleur can move to the right, while the L screw limits how far the derailleur can move to the left.

How do I fix my gears from skipping on my bike?

Now one of the most common causes is simple derailleur adjustment on modern derailers with index shifting. The pulleys in the cage. Here should line up with the cog that the chain is on.

How do I make my bike gears shift smoothly?

First thing let's start with the shifters. First thing to keep in mind is your left shifter controls the front derailleur and you're right shifter controls the rear derailleur.

Why does my rear derailleur jump?

Without enough cable tension to properly regulate your derailleur (the part of your bike that shifts the chain from one sprocket to the next), your chain will begin to skip. The most typical recommendation for fixing a skipping chain is to add tension to the rear derailleur.

Why does my chain skip when I pedal hard?

These include worn out or misaligned derailleur pulleys, old or malfunctioning shifters throwing off the indexing in some gears, or broken/bent teeth on one or more cassette cogs. Build up of dirt and grime on drivetrain components will also cause shifting issues, including skipping chains.

Why does my bike clunk when I pedal?

Wheel Noises Only When Pedaling



Noises once-per-wheel-revolution that only occur when you are pedaling are most often related to the freewheel or Freehub. The freewheel or Freehub bearings may be loose, or the cassette may be loose on the Freehub body. See if you can wiggle the sprockets back and forth.