Rear der adjustments/dialing it in

[Slacker]

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?

 

[Michael Paul]

"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

 

[S o r n i]

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.

 

[Slacker]

Michael Paul wrote:

> "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 ;-)
>
> Michael
>
>
Don't make me drive down to SD and rip up your local trails with my
little "roadie" equipped Turner! ;-)
--
Slacker

 

[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

 

[S o r n i]

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.

 

[S o r n i]

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.

 

[Slacker]

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

 

[Michael Paul]

"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

 

[bomba]

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...

 

[[email protected]]

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

 

[[email protected]]

Some of the DH Pro riders use Ultegra rear derailleurs.

I MTB 2004

 

[[email protected]]

DH goes XTR or Ultegra for Shimano. X.9 or X.O if your
a Sram man.

I MTB 2004

 

[Michael Dart]

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

 

[ZeeExSixAre]

> 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

 

[Slacker]

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]/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

 

[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_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.
--
Slacker

 

[Michael Dart]

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_%20x.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

 

[Michael Dart]

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]/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.

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

 

[Slacker]

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