Rear der adjustments/dialing it in



S

Slacker

Guest
You know, I've always hated the rear der, but I hate it now
more than ever. I swear, for the past week I've been
fantasizing bout SS'ing my DH rig. Who the hell needs 9
gears on a DH bike anyway... I'd be happy with 3, and could
definitely make do with 1.

<<end rant>>

So, anyway, I'm having trouble dialing in my Ultegra der. I
pretty much have the H and L adjustments done, but it's
skipping 8th, 2-3 and sometimes 5. Any suggestions on
dialing the ******* in? I'm using a third hand dealy thing
to pull the cable really tight?? Maybe not tight enough ???

If you're thinking about suggesting checking components for
wear, don't; everything is brand new.

--
Slacker

Btw, did you guys notice that Harris Cyclery is hiring?
 
"Slacker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>
> So, anyway, I'm having trouble dialing in my Ultegra der.
> I

Here's your problem. Ultegra = road not DH ;-)

I actually find the rear easy to work on compared to the
front. But, I don't think I can put into words how to really
dial it in.

did you try sacrificing a chicken?

if you want the rear derailleur bolt converted to one of
those special "round" anti theft fasteners I'm sure Sorni
would give you a hand.................

Michael
 
Slacker wrote:
> So, anyway, I'm having trouble dialing in my Ultegra der.
> I pretty much have the H and L adjustments done, but it's
> skipping 8th, 2-3 and sometimes 5. Any suggestions on
> dialing the ******* in? I'm using a third hand dealy
> thing to pull the cable really tight?? Maybe not tight
> enough ???

How did you end up with an Ultegra derailleur on a
downhill rig?!? Did you mean XT, perhaps? (Freudian Roadie
Lingerie? ;-)

Anyway, adjust the H limit screw so der. is just a tad
outside smallest cog (no cable yet), and L so it's exactly
in line with big.

Make sure shifter is released all the way -- pull cable
quite tight -- screw in the fastener dealie. (Oh, loosen the
barrel adjusters at both ends all the way and then back a
turn or so, too.)

{Here's where following the Shimano insert paper helps.}
Turn cranks and shift up one click -- adjust barrel until
chain moves (maybe even until it starts rubbing 3rd smallest
cog -- not sure about that part) -- basically playing w/
cable tension until shifting works right from both extremes.

Are you SURE an ultegra can handle mountain gear ranges?!?

Bill "maybe those SS'ers *do* know something" S.
 
Michael Paul wrote:

> "Slacker" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]
> berlin.de...
>
>
>>So, anyway, I'm having trouble dialing in my Ultegra der.
>>I
>
>
> Here's your problem. Ultegra = road not DH ;-)
>
> Michael
>
>
Don't make me drive down to SD and rip up your local trails
with my little "roadie" equipped Turner! ;-)
--
Slacker
 
S o r n i wrote:

> Slacker wrote:
>
>>So, anyway, I'm having trouble dialing in my Ultegra der.
>>I pretty much have the H and L adjustments done, but it's
>>skipping 8th, 2-3 and sometimes 5. Any suggestions on
>>dialing the ******* in? I'm using a third hand dealy
>>thing to pull the cable really tight?? Maybe not tight
>>enough ???
>
>
> How did you end up with an Ultegra derailleur on a
> downhill rig?!? Did you mean XT, perhaps? (Freudian Roadie
> Lingerie? ;-)

No, I meant Ultegra. Btw, I also have an Ultegra cassette.
That der is actually semi-popular with some of us because of
it's cost and very short cage.

> Anyway, adjust the H limit screw so der. is just a tad
> outside smallest cog (no cable yet), and L so it's exactly
> in line with big.
>
> Make sure shifter is released all the way -- pull cable
> quite tight -- screw in the fastener dealie. (Oh, loosen
> the barrel adjusters at both ends all the way and then
> back a turn or so, too.)
>
> {Here's where following the Shimano insert paper helps.}
> Turn cranks and shift up one click -- adjust barrel until
> chain moves (maybe even until it starts rubbing 3rd
> smallest cog -- not sure about that part) -- basically
> playing w/ cable tension until shifting works right from
> both extremes.
>
> Are you SURE an ultegra can handle mountain gear ranges?!?
>
> Bill "maybe those SS'ers *do* know something" S.
>
>
Cool thanks... that's what I need!
--
Slacker
 
Slacker wrote:
> S o r n i wrote:
{snippage}
>> {Here's where following the Shimano insert paper helps.}
>> Turn cranks and shift up one click -- adjust barrel until
>> chain moves (maybe even until it starts rubbing 3rd
>> smallest cog -- not sure about that part) -- basically
>> playing w/ cable tension until shifting works right from
>> both extremes.

> Cool thanks... that's what I need!

I can see Michael Paul rolling his eyes right now.

Bill "and Miles, too" S.
 
Slacker wrote:
> No, I meant Ultegra. Btw, I also have an Ultegra cassette.
> That der is actually semi-popular with some of us because
> of it's cost and very short cage.

I used an Ultegra BB with my XTR crankset for quite a while
-- in fact, it still works fine but the damn middle ring is
shot. (XTR BB lasted maybe 6 months.)

I can see where a close-range roadie cassette would
work for DH.

Bill "but you have to wear a skirt" S.
 
S o r n i wrote:

> Slacker wrote:
>
>>No, I meant Ultegra. Btw, I also have an Ultegra cassette.
>>That der is actually semi-popular with some of us because
>>of it's cost and very short cage.
>
>
> I used an Ultegra BB with my XTR crankset for quite a
> while -- in fact, it still works fine but the damn middle
> ring is shot. (XTR BB lasted maybe 6 months.)
>
> I can see where a close-range roadie cassette would
> work for DH.
>
> Bill "but you have to wear a skirt" S.
>
>
I don't do skirts, but I do wear a pair of these underneath
my bad ass armor
http://www.pennybell.com/acatalog/LB1207(Large).JPG
--
Slacker
 
"S o r n i" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Slacker wrote:

>
> Are you SURE an ultegra can handle mountain gear ranges?!?
>
> Bill "maybe those SS'ers *do* know something" S.
>
>
it's relatively common to use an Ultegra when only using a
single chainring up front. Heck, even Eric the Red ran an
Ultegra on his Klein for Idyllwild and he has three
chainrings. granted, he was also running a Dura-Ace cassette
in the rear with a 27 tooth but still.

Michael
 
On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 19:30:14 -0700, Slacker wrote:

> You know, I've always hated the rear der, but I hate it
> now more than ever. I swear, for the past week I've been
> fantasizing bout SS'ing my DH rig. Who the hell needs 9
> gears on a DH bike anyway... I'd be happy with 3, and
> could definitely make do with 1.
>
> <<end rant>>
>
> So, anyway, I'm having trouble dialing in my Ultegra der.
> I pretty much have the H and L adjustments done, but it's
> skipping 8th, 2-3 and sometimes 5. Any suggestions on
> dialing the ******* in? I'm using a third hand dealy
> thing to pull the cable really tight?? Maybe not tight
> enough ???
>
> If you're thinking about suggesting checking components
> for wear, don't; everything is brand new.

As if. Clearly bad workman syndrome... :)

Drop the derailleur in to the the smallest cog and set the
adjustment screw. Loosen the bolt that clamps the cable and
tug on the cable so that it's taut. Do up and make minor
adjustments with the barrel adjuster.

Couple of extra points. What size cassette are you running?
If you're using a short cage mech with a wide ratio cassette
it could be causing you problems.

Are you sure that the action of the rear swingarm isn't
putting tension on the cable and causing ghost shifting?

Have you got ferrules on the end of each bit of outer?

If all else fails, go with SRAM - the 1:1 shifting ratio
gives you much more room for error.

> Btw, did you guys notice that Harris Cyclery is hiring?

But they've already got a guy called Jon Harris - that would
just get confusing...
 
DH rig,use a 7 or 8 speed internal hub. Heavy but isn't DH
heavy. Like 40 -50 lbs heavy then okay.

I MTB 2004
 
Some of the DH Pro riders use Ultegra rear derailleurs.

I MTB 2004
 
In news:[email protected],
Slacker <[email protected]> typed:
> You know, I've always hated the rear der, but I hate it
> now more than ever. I swear, for the past week I've been
> fantasizing bout SS'ing my DH rig. Who the hell needs 9
> gears on a DH bike anyway... I'd be happy with 3, and
> could definitely make do with 1.
>
> <<end rant>>
>
> So, anyway, I'm having trouble dialing in my Ultegra der.
> I pretty much have the H and L adjustments done, but it's
> skipping 8th, 2-3 and sometimes 5. Any suggestions on
> dialing the ******* in? I'm using a third hand dealy
> thing to pull the cable really tight?? Maybe not tight
> enough ???
>
> If you're thinking about suggesting checking components
> for wear, don't; everything is brand new.

How's the last loop of housing going into the mech.? If it's
too tight it may cause shifting problems there. Pop in a V-
brake noodle (like on my Bullit) or use a Rollamagig. The
cable doesn't have to be banjo string tight either as Jon
mentioned.

Mike
 
> How did you end up with an Ultegra derailleur on a
> downhill rig?!? Did
you
> mean XT, perhaps? (Freudian Roadie Lingerie? ;-)

It's about the short cage... the road RDs can handle more
capacity than you might think, especially with a single
front chainring. In this case, there's only a 11 or so tooth
difference.

Have you honestly never heard of using road RDs on single-
chainring bikes?

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training
 
Michael Dart wrote:
>
> How's the last loop of housing going into the mech.? If
> it's too tight it may cause shifting problems there. Pop
> in a V-brake noodle (like on my Bullit) or use a
> Rollamagig. The cable doesn't have to be banjo string
> tight either as Jon mentioned.
>
> Mike
>
>
That was the first problem I encountered. The cable/der
angle are really bad <http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/slac-
[email protected]/detail?.dir=/8f10&.dnm=4011.jpg>

I just picked up a Rollamajig the other day. I always
wondered what those things are used for... now I know. It
seems to have done the trick; the shifting is nice and
tight/crisp now. I had pulled the cable too tight. Loosened
it up a little, a quick H/L adjust and :) !

Ironically, it's been raining here almost all morning :-(
Gonna have to wait to get a real test in.
--
Slacker
 
bomba wrote:

> If all else fails, go with SRAM - the 1:1 shifting ratio
> gives you much more room for error.
>
>
Just saw a <http://cambriabike.com/shift&der/sram_%20x.0_re-
ar_derailleur.htm> (on a Giant DH) in the flesh on Thursday.
Very, very nice. It is the first RD I've ever seen that had
the cable angle perfect right out of the box.

Thanks for the help.
--
Slacker
 
In news:[email protected],
Slacker <[email protected]> typed:
> bomba wrote:
>
>> If all else fails, go with SRAM - the 1:1 shifting ratio
>> gives you much more room for error.
>>
>>
> Just saw a <http://cambriabike.com/shift&der/sram_%20-
> x.0_rear_derailleur.htm> (on a Giant DH) in the flesh
> on Thursday. Very, very nice. It is the first RD I've
> ever seen that had the cable angle perfect right out
> of the box.
>
> Thanks for the help.

Add to that the new SRAM trigger shifters. Thumb only
operation keeps your fingers on the brakes or around the
grips where they belong. Very crisp action too. I'm
seriously considering them for my DH ride.

Mike
 
In news:[email protected],
Slacker <[email protected]> typed:
> Michael Dart wrote:
>>
>> How's the last loop of housing going into the mech.? If
>> it's too tight it may cause shifting problems there. Pop
>> in a V-brake noodle (like on my Bullit) or use a
>> Rollamagig. The cable doesn't have to be banjo string
>> tight either as Jon mentioned.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
> That was the first problem I encountered. The cable/der
> angle are really bad
>
<http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[email protected]/de-
tail?.dir=/8f10&. dnm=4011.jpg>
>
> I just picked up a Rollamajig the other day. I always
> wondered what those things are used for... now I know. It
> seems to have done the trick; the shifting is nice and
> tight/crisp now. I had pulled the cable too tight.
> Loosened it up a little, a quick H/L adjust and :) !
>
> Ironically, it's been raining here almost all morning :-(
> Gonna have to wait to get a real test in.

The Rollamajig came integrated on the first XTR rapidrise
rear. It worked great. Dunno why the got away from it except
it may have added two whole grams of weight!

Mike
 
Michael Dart wrote:

> Add to that the new SRAM trigger shifters. Thumb only
> operation keeps your fingers on the brakes or around the
> grips where they belong. Very crisp action too. I'm
> seriously considering them for my DH ride.
>
> Mike
>
>
Hey... where'd you see this thumb shifter? I don't remember
hearing about them and I couldn't find anything on SRAM's
website. Will they work with the X.0 der?
--
Slacker
 
On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 17:32:28 -0700, Slacker <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Michael Dart wrote:
>
>> Add to that the new SRAM trigger shifters. Thumb only
>> operation keeps your fingers on the brakes or around the
>> grips where they belong. Very crisp action too. I'm
>> seriously considering them for my DH ride.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>Hey... where'd you see this thumb shifter? I don't remember
>hearing about them and I couldn't find anything on SRAM's
>website. Will they work with the X.0 der?

I'm using one of the rocket triggers for Shimano rear
derailleur, I'm very impressed with it. The X-7, X-9 and X-0
triggers are for the SRAM Rear mechs
http://www.sram.com/mtb/components/x9/trigger_shift.asp

MArtin