Front derailuer shifting question

[Steve C.]

During my last ride, I leaned by bike up against some bushes. When I started again I could not move
my left shifter into the 3 position which corresponds to the outside front chainring. After reading
"Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance," I bought a workstand and decided to make the
adjustments myself. I tightened the cable and moved the limit screws a bit. Everything works fine
now except when I am on the outside back chainring, shifting the front chainring from the outside to
the middle is slow and noisy. I have a 2000 Gary Fisher Marlin. Any help would be appreciated. This
is my first attempt at doing any work on my bike. I am wanting to improve my skills so I can do all
my own work.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[David Kunz]

Steve C. wrote:
> During my last ride, I leaned by bike up against some bushes. When I started again I could not
> move my left shifter into the 3 position which corresponds to the outside front chainring. After
> reading "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance," I bought a workstand and decided to make
> the adjustments myself. I tightened the cable and moved the limit screws a bit. Everything works
> fine now except when I am on the outside back chainring, shifting the front chainring from the
> outside to the middle is slow and noisy. I have a 2000 Gary Fisher Marlin. Any help would be
> appreciated. This is my first attempt at doing any work on my bike. I am wanting to improve my
> skills so I can do all my own work.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve

This usually means that the carrier is not pulling in far enough to pull the chain off. Loosen the
cable in 1/4 turn increments until it'll down-shift more reliably. BUT, if you don't tpyically
down-shift while in the smallest cassette gear (I know that I don't), you may sacrifice that in
favor of better up-shifting performance and leave it alone.

David