Simple Front Derailleur Adjustment

Causes

It is common for the chain to not shift onto all of the chainrings (gears in front of the rear wheel). The usual causes of this are:
  1. A dirty rear derailleur.
  2. Loss of tension on the rear derailleur cable.

Neither of these are things that require a professional. In fact, as with the rear derailleur, doing both will take less than 5 minutes.

Tools

Solution

Clean and adjust the rear derailleur:

(note: This procedure only works for indexed (clicking) shifters like most Shimano shifters)
  1. Inspect the derailleur. If the derailleur is dirty, clean it with soap and water. If the derailleur is bent take it to a bike shop.
  2. After cleaning, lubricate the moving parts of the derailleur with bike lube.
  3. Clean the front derailleur if needed.
  4. Shift onto the largest sprocket using the rear derailleur. Also, shift onto the middle chainring using the front derailleur.

  5. Find the front derailleur barrel adjuster knob located on the left hand shifter. If there is a locknut, loosen it.

  6. Use the adjuster to move the front derailleur very close (0 mm - 0.5 mm) to the chain. Turn the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise to move the derailleur away from the bike and clockwise to move the derailleur closer to the bike.

  7. If there was a locknut, retighten it.

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