No second gear

NeedMoreGears · 29-03-2015 12:21pm #1

I cannot seem to index my gears correctly. The problem is the rear dérailleur moves from third to first without staying in second. Even gingerly moving the shifter only allows me to get second on the way down the gears and even then the chain tends to jump out. All nine others are perfect.

This is driving me bananas at this stage. Any thoughts/advice much appreciated.

Brian? · 29-03-2015 12:24pm

2nd gear from the inside or outside?

iwillhtfu · 29-03-2015 12:36pm

If you hit every gear bar one I'd say it's not indexed correctly or there may be an issue with that cog. Have you got the spacers in the cassette installed correctly?

Is the rear hanger alright screws are tight and it's not bent?

I usually find it easiest to go back to the start when I run into a problem indexing gears or it becomes a head melt altogether.

How to Adjust Shimano Rear Derailleurs: https://youtu.be/wQncKmddahk

Lumen · 29-03-2015 12:43pm

Bent hanger gets my vote.

NeedMoreGears · 29-03-2015 1:00pm

Thanks for responses. Thinking it may be a bent hanger all right as the three biggest gears on the back come as a single unit (Shimano 105). The problem gear is the middle one - I.e the second largest cog.

Beasty · 29-03-2015 4:44pm

You telling us you NeedAnotherGear?

MediaMan · 29-03-2015 5:22pm

Also check that the cable is moving freely from the shifter to the derailleur. I had a problem with a 105 RD shifting previously and it was due to the cable sticking. In my case it needed the cable replaced (both inner and outer). There could be a problem anywhere along the path, including a loose or gunked up cable guide under the BB. Also make sure that the RD itself is moving freely in and out - oil the moving parts if needed.

MediaMan · 29-03-2015 6:20pm

You may have tried these things, but just in case...
To help diagnose the problem, try changing through gears 1-3 by first shifting to 3rd gear normally and then changing down by pulling on the RD cable where it runs along the chainstay. If it shifts OK, then the problem is upstream, either in the cable travel or in the shifter. If the shifting is still bad then the problem is downstream. Could be in the final cable loop, RD or cassette. Also check that the cassette is securely locked down and that the rear wheel is seated correctly in the dropouts.

NeedMoreGears · 29-03-2015 10:37pm

Beasty wrote: »

You telling us you NeedAnotherGear?

:):D

Sorta walked into that.

Took off the derailleur and cleaned everything. Took out jockey wheels and re tightened everything. Undid the cables and retuned from scratch. All seems ok on the work stand so here's hoping.

Brian? · 30-03-2015 12:11pm

NeedMoreGears wrote: »

Thanks for responses. Thinking it may be a bent hanger all right as the three biggest gears on the back come as a single unit (Shimano 105). The problem gear is the middle one - I.e the second largest cog.

My advice is; take a deep breath and start again from the beginning. As per the youtube video already posted.

Before you even go near the limit screws you need to confirm a few things. Check the mounting bolt for the derailleur is tight. Check the derailleur hanger is straight. Take the cable off the derailleur and make sure it's not sticking in the outer, apply a light bit of oil if it is.

Brian? · 30-03-2015 12:13pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

How to Adjust Shimano Rear Derailleurs: https://youtu.be/wQncKmddahk

The best video out there on adjusting the rear derailleur IMO.

No second gear

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