Set the bicycle gear correctly - how it works

You only need a Phillips screwdriver to set your bicycle gear correctly. In this way, the stops of the rear derailleur can be set. These limit the rear derailleur so that the chain cannot fall out.

Set the bicycle gear correctly: upper stop

Your bike has various stops that you can set. To ensure that your gears run smoothly and that you avoid serious falls, you may need to check and adjust them.

1. Depress the rear derailleur to see how far you can shift. If you cannot shift into the top gear, reduce the limit.
2. L-screw: You will find the L-screw next to the chain on the rear wheel.
3. Reduce limit: Unscrew the L-screw in quarter or half steps with the Phillips screwdriver. Turn the screwdriver counterclockwise. Note the revolutions so that you can undo the process should it be necessary. If you can shift into the highest gear, the stop is set correctly.
4. Now you have to set the lower stop.

Adjustment of the lower stop

After you have adjusted your upper stop, you must now adjust the lower one accordingly. Here's how:

1. Completely screw in the tension screw on the gear lever . This screw is on the two cables that are on the circuit. This will remove the tension, which will make it easier for you to proceed. Make sure you are in the last gear. If you cannot shift into this gear, you must loosen the screw accordingly.
2. H-screw: It is located right next to the L-screw.
3. Extend limit: Here too, proceed in quarter or half steps if you turn the H screw counterclockwise. Do this until the chain goes onto the smallest sprocket. However, if the chain line is not yet optimal, unscrew the screw a little.
4. Fine adjustment: crank the chain and shift through. If you notice that it does not advance, you have to increase the tension again. You do this by unscrewing the corresponding screw until you can shift into the next gear. If you can switch through without any problems, you are ready.
5. If the shift is too early, you will need to loosen the tension. If, on the other hand, it is too late, you must increase the tension, i.e. unscrew the screw.

Shift better - adjust the front derailleur correctly

Over time, the shift cables can lengthen by pulling. However, this is not a serious problem. You can solve this yourself in just a few steps.

• Instructions on how to correctly adjust the front derailleur can be found here.
• Tension shift cable: If you have problems shifting into lower gears, you have to tension the shift cable on the right lever. You do this by turning the screw counterclockwise once. If it still doesn't work properly, you can turn it clockwise again.
• Adjust the adjusting screw: If the wheel on the front chainring no longer shifts properly, you must unscrew the adjusting screw on the left shift lever.
• With circuits with small-small and large-large, grinding can occur despite the correct setting!

The next practical tip will tell you how to clean your bike chain properly.

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