Can't change into top gear without turning bike upside down

Snakey Lane · Post by **Snakey Lane** » 17 May 2008, 5:36pm

Hi there. There is a problem with changing gear on my son's bike which has derailleur gears. With the bike turned upside down, we can adjust the gears so that they change ok and there are no rattling noises in any gear.

But when he rides the bike, he can't change into top gear (all the rest are fine). Can anyone suggest what we could try next? I would like to fix this myself without having to take the bike to a bike shop :-)

Many thanks.

gilesjuk · Post by **gilesjuk** » 17 May 2008, 6:06pm

Hi,

Can you tell us what make the rear mech is, Shimano, Suntour, Campagnolo etc?

Steve · Post by **Steve** » 17 May 2008, 8:07pm

Have you tried squirting some lubrication (eg WD40 or oil) at the springs in the derailleur? Also, once lubricated, with chain running & the gear control set to the little sprocket, try moving the derailleur arm from side to side manually, it might just be a bit stiff through dryness & gunk.

meic · Post by **meic** » 17 May 2008, 8:18pm

Do your final adjustments with the bike the right way up, it does make a difference especially on the front rings.
I bungee the back of the bike (using the rack) to the back of a chair so the back wheel is lifted and I can spin the pedals.
You have to be extra safe with bottom gear as overshooting puts the chain in the spokes but overshooting top gear only harms if your son keeps on pedalling. So you can afford to slacken that adjuster screw a bit more.
Check the rear deraileur is fully tightened onto the bike.

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 17 May 2008, 8:29pm

Sheldon Brown thread to needle on derailleur adjustment. That covers gears generally. If you want something specific to a make, you will need to say what it is, as mentined earlier.

lauriematt · Post by **lauriematt** » 17 May 2008, 10:12pm

is the cable tight??

to test that it moves ok, get your hand underneath the cable and push with the palm of your hand!

if it moves into the top cog / ring fine then you know you need to tighten the cable.

a good book is the Dorling Kindersley ( DK) book about cycling. visit your local library & see if they have it...then get a photocopy of the pages you need!

its an easy to understand book, that doesnt over complicate anything

tottacrolla · Post by **tottacrolla** » 18 May 2008, 10:26pm

Generally when the cycle is upside down the cables will be pushed onto the floor around the handlebars, this will effectively tighten the cable and allow the change into the lower gear. All you need to do is tighten the adjuster until it changes when it's the right way up

leftpoole · Post by **leftpoole** » 20 May 2008, 9:54am

The cable is either too tight or the little screw which adjusts the position of the rear gear in relationship to the sprocket, is too tight.
John.

aesmith · Post by **aesmith** » 20 May 2008, 1:01pm

In addition to the Sheldon Brown reference, there's a guide on Park Tools' web site ....

http://www.parktool.com/repair/printhowto.asp?id=64

Tony S

johhnyP · Post by **johhnyP** » 26 May 2008, 9:53am

One thing worth checking: the washer which clamps the cable onto the mech has a little lug on it - make sure that this is the right way up (normally at the top of the mech when the bike is on its wheels). If it is the wrong way up it can foul the mech, and that couple of mm is sufficient to stop it getting into top gear (ie the smallest cog) cleanly.

peanut · Post by **peanut** » 31 May 2008, 12:23pm

op probably won't be back ....probably a one day wonder poster on every bike forum on the net then never comes back to check on replies :evil:

Snakey Lane · Post by **Snakey Lane** » 31 May 2008, 3:01pm

peanut wrote:op probably won't be back ....probably a one day wonder poster on every bike forum on the net then never comes back to check on replies

To all who responded with practical suggestions, many thanks for your advice. I have been checking out your posts as they came in, and work permitting I will try out the various suggestions this weekend.

Peanut, I will respond to your comment via pm.

peanut · Post by **peanut** » 31 May 2008, 3:11pm

Snakey Lane wrote:
peanut wrote:op probably won't be back ....probably a one day wonder poster on every bike forum on the net then never comes back to check on replies

To all who responded with practical suggestions, many thanks for your advice. I have been checking out your posts as they came in, and work permitting I will try out the various suggestions this weekend.

Peanut, I will respond to your comment via pm.

no need to. I had quite reasonably assumed that as you hadn't posted back for nearly 2 weeks you had either solved your problem or not been back to check. Either way just a quick thank you to the other posters that took time and trouble to post to help you was all that was needed.
hope your problem is now solved thats what we are here for