Expert: Dave - 8/14/2008

Question
how to set detailers on 18 speed

Answer
Hello Sandy. First, you have to shift your bike into the highest gear in the rear(smallest sprocket), and the lowest in the front(smallest sprocket). You will need either a 9mm wrench or a 4,5,or 6mm hex key. Loosen the bolts, located on the body of the derailleurs, holding the cables in place. After loosened, pull the cables about 5-10Nm and tighten again. Shift you bike and see how the gears are shifting.

If there are areas where the is skipping or grinding, the is an adjusting barrel located either in the end of the shifter on the handlebars, or on the derailleur where the cable enters. these help fine tune your shifting.

If your chain falls off when shifting into the extreme gears, or wont shift into the extreme gears you have to and just the travel. There are two screws on each derailleur. One has an H next to it and the other an L. H is high gear and L is low gear.

Lets say your travel for the lowest gear of the rear derailleur is adjusted too tight and wont shift into first gear. You will have to loosen the L screw so that you shift in to gear without sending the chain over the sprocket into the spokes.

If you have any more questions or if you need further adjustment explanation please ask. I will be glad to help.
-Dave