1-The Bike
2-Picture showing which chain the rear derailer stays on
3-underside pic of rear derailer
4&5- The Front derailer successfully switching cogs
(The bike is fine switching cogs for the front derailer but whenever I try switching the back gears, nothing happens and it stays on this one chain) I have tested that the wire works for the rear derailer as it does pull and release the wire, and when I push the derailer in and out it does switch gears, but when I use the gear switch it does nothing???
by GingerNaanBread
3 Comments
Hard to tell from pictures, but the most common reason this happens is the cable has slipped in the derailleur clamp.
Screw in all barrel adjusters.
Set shifter on highest gear – cable fully released.
Undo cable clamp on RD a bit and pull slack cable through.
Retighten cable clamp.
Add more tension if necessary with barrel adjusters.
A new inner cable would also likely improve the action.
A bike of that age needs every piece inspected for function and safety. Do you have a bicycle co-op nearby, or know a knowledgeable cyclist who can diagnose it?
My first thought about older bikes is to troubleshoot the drivetrain. In no particular order, you may need to:
1. Align the derailer hanger.
2. Flush the shifters.
3. Replace the chain after measuring it for wear.
4. Replace the cables and housing if they don’t move smoothly.
5. Replace the cassette and/or chainrings, depending on how they work with the new chain.
These items alone will probably cost more than what you paid for the bike, IF you pay a bike shop to do it. That’s why I recommend getting help with DIY.
Sweet find buddy! Good job👍🏻