How to Fine-Tune a Bike's Rear Index Shifting

Derailleur cables stretch and cable housing compresses slightly with use, affecting your shifting performance. The solution may only be a quick turn of the barrel adjuster.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bike Helmets
• Bike Jerseys
• Bike Locks And Cables
• Bike Repair Stands
• Bike Tools
• Bikes
• Bikes

1. Find the barrel adjuster on your rear derailleur. This is a small knob located where the cable housing comes into contact with the rear derailleur.

2. 

   Give the barrel adjuster a half turn in a counterclockwise direction. This will take up a small bit of slack in the cable.

3. 

   Try shifting. Problem solved? If not, give it another half turn.

4. Give up to two full turns. If the problem is still not solved or your shifting is now much worse, turn the barrel adjuster back to its original position.

5. 

   Try turning the barrel adjuster in the opposite direction. This will put more slack into the cable.

6. Work in half-turn increments, as before.

7. Return the barrel adjuster to its original position if you are unable to improve your shifting this way. It's time to go to the bike shop.

Tips & Warnings

• It's even easier to adjust the cable tension if you have a bike stand. Turn the pedals forward as you turn the barrel adjuster slowly. Listen for the clicking to diminish.
• Bad shifting can have many other causes: a worn chain or cassette, a misaligned derailleur hanger, worn cable or cable housing, a damaged or poorly adjusted derailleur. If you still have serious shifting problems, take your bike to a bike shop.

Who Can Help:

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on 8/17/2006 If you replace your chain regularly and keep it lubricated, there shouldn't be any need to replace the cassette or chainring frequently (unless, of course, you're using substandard parts).

on 11/22/2005 I didn't believe this could cause problems until it ruined a day of riding. I replaced the chain when I installed a new Derailleur and took it out riding. Every time I tried to pedal harder, it would skip, and no amount of adjusting would take care of the problem. After asking around, I realized that I had made a big mistake and replaced the cassette. It now shifts great, and I haven't had any problems since. Either replace your chain every couple of hundred miles, or replace the chain, the cassette, and (if you have the money), even the chain rings all at the same time.