Rear derailer adjustment

Mark, STI/ERGO shifters need a bit of tension in the cables to work well.  I think (maybe) your der. cable has stretched to the point were it's not providing enough resistance.  Call your LBS.  If it's a new bike-the check-up should be free.  Hope that helps.

Most likely the cable stretched (or more accurately, it has shifted a little with age and use).  Usually as long as it will go into the high and low gear, the problem can be fixed with the barrel adjuster.  But if it is a newer bike and still due for the (usually free) inspection, have the shop take a look and show you what was needed.  That way you will start to get to know how the bike works over time.

search on youtube, there are some helpfull videos there.

I am not an expert bike mechanic, so sorry if this makes anyone cringe, but my bike always shifts nicely so I must be doing something right.  Here's what I would do:

1.  Try turning the barrel so it moves away from the derailer (turn counter clockwise with respect to the derailer.  If you can get enough tension this way to make it shift normally again, then you're done and you can disregard the following steps.

2.  Shift until your chain is on the smallest cog on your cassette.

3.  Turn the barrel down (clockwise) most of the way so it's not at either end of its adjustment range.

4.  Grab the end of the cable (past the point where it is clamped so as not to damage it).  Vice grips are good for this, or at least they are for me because of my girly weakness.

5.  Loosen the screw on the clamp that pinches your cable (5mm allen).  Pull hard to get rid of any slack, then tighten the screw again.  Your cable should end up tighter than it was before.

6.  Try shifting and use the barrel to make further adjustments as necessary.

 

edited to add an important step I forgot

Edited by froglegs 2008-10-12 9:40 PM