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Front derailer problem+regular mtbing partner around yorkshire needed?



Front gear changing mechanism failure. Tried to fix it the other day, it just wouldnt go on all 3 gears without the chain scrapping against the derailer. Any ideas how I should go about fixing it? or suggestions where I could find information on how to fix it? Dont really want to take it to a shop unless absolutely necessary, still want to establish that intimate relation with me bike. My current mtbing partner is going on his honeymoon soon, looking for new ones around the area. I am a novice in mtbing, though have been riding since 10. Female,not super fit, can ride about 15 miles in about 2 hrs and half. Wish to improve on speed and skills. Anyone would be interested in training together? I am fairly good at rock climbing, so even if you are really good at mtbing, perhaps you would be interested in someone showing you the sports of climbing in exchange for some tips in mtbing?

This is tough to describe how to fix without knowing how it's rubbing.

Does it rub when the chain is on the small gear or large gear in front? When it rubs, which side of the derailleur does it rub on, the side towards the bike frame, or the side toward the pedal?

There are two adjustments, one is on the derailleur and one is in the shifter mechanism.
On the derailleur there are two small screws, these are meant to limit the travel of the derailleur towards each extreme and help prevent the chain from falling off.
On the shift mechanism there is a 'barrrel' adjuster that you turn one way or the other to set the position of the derailleur.

What I usually do is set the chain on the small gear in front and the biggest gear in back.

Back out the stop screws. (not all the way!!).
Turn the barrel adjuster until the chain just starts to rub, then turn it about 1/4 to 1/2 turn _into_ the shifter, until it stops rubbing. You should see the derailleur move and be able to figure out which way to turn it.
Turn the limit screw clockwise until you can just see the derailleur start to move, then turn it back 1/4 turn.

You'll need to experiment with the limit screws. If you're lucky, they will be marked "L" and "H". You should be turning the one marked "L" for the above step. Otherwise, you'll have to experiment to see which one is for the low gear by turning them each one full turn at a time until you see the derailleur move. If you've backed them out too far, it could take quite a number of turns. Whichever screw you find makes the derailleur move for the above step, turn the _other_ screw back _out_ a few turns as you will need to adjust that one differently for the next step.

Once the small gear in the front is set, shift the bike onto the big gear in the front and the small gear in the back. If you didn't back the adjuster screw out far enough, it might not want to go on the big gear. If this happens, turn the screw counter clock wise until it shifts onto the big gear. Don't turn it out to far, as this will allow the chain to drop off on the outside. If it goes right up onto the big ring, repeated shift from middle to big and turn the stop screw 1/4 turn clockwise each time, until it just starts to rub the chain when on the big gear, then turn it back 1/4 turn, until it stops rubbing.

As JayP said, you don't want to ride in the Big front/big rear or small front small rear combination. This will probably cause rubbing, will create excessive wear and stress on the chain, and may even try to shift on it's own.

This is a basic front derailleur tuning procedure, and I don't expect you'll be able to get it right from what I've written the first time. For best results, find someone who knows how to do this, and ask them to show you.
The front derailleur is one of the simplest parts on the bike, yet hardest to get dialed just right. I would suggest though that you will always get some scraping depending on what gear you are in. Not at 21 or 27 gears are designed for riding in. For example, having the chain in the large ring and large cog at the same time crosses the chain at an extreme angle and will cause scraping, not to mention wear on the parts. Check this out.
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