I have been trying to dial this in for months now. I can’t get this baby to shift to the largest chainring unless I’m on down on like the 4th largest cassette cog and even then it’s a struggle. Limits are correct. Rear derailleur shifts perfect. Chain seems to be the right length I’ve tried adding removing links. If I increase the tension then I can’t downshift, so no matter what I have an issue with either upshifting or downshifting on the front rings. Right now it’s a 3×8 with 11-28 cassette and 22-42t front chainrings. A few months ago I had it set up with a 9 speed cassette 11-32 and 3×9 shifter but I realized that was out of range for the RD, so I swapped the cassette and shifters to put it well within the RD range and still no luck. What am I missing? What’s my next troubleshooting step.
by bikinibottomrealest8
11 Comments
Is it just me or does the rotation of the FD look off? If you’re having issues with the FD shifting, I’d address all the basic points of FD setup incl. FD height and rotation.
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/front-derailleur-adjustment
It looks as the FD is for a 46/36 chainring size, while you use a compact cranckset
1. Try tightening the crank bolt.
2. Check cable routing.
Is the bend on the handlebar impeding the shifter levers? Double check.
Do the pawls in the shifter move onto the teeth of the barrel by just the spring tension, or is the grease congealed and making them stick? Worth popping the cover off and checking.
Is your front d cable routed correctly in the binder bolt on the derailleur? Try it the other way and see.
Switching to a friction shifter just for the front derailleur should solve the problem.
Triple front derailleurs are a bit finicky – the inside plate has a wider portion that must be positioned to touch the chain when shifting into the large chainring. This pushes it onto the chainring.
Check the chain wear. A floppy chain won’t shift well.
” I’ve tried adding removing links…”
If you mean you’re pushing pins back in with your chain tool, that’s not a good idea on modern chains. Size it according to Shimano instructions and leave it alone.
Is the front shifter indexed or friction? Will it shift up to center the cage over the large chainring? Old indexed front shifters have trouble upshifting when the pawls get gummed up and don’t move freely.
It looks like your FD is for a differently angled frame. There are usually iirc 64-66 and 66-69 deg derailleurs, maybe others too and you may just need a different one.
Is the front derailleur original to the frame?
Hold up, are you certain you are getting two clicks / three positions out of those shifters? I haven’t seen any in 10 years that still work correctly.
Try routing the cable to the front derailleur on the other side of the clamp bolt. That is, the cable should run closer to the chainrings rather than closer to the left hand crank.