Question on gears

astroguy

Hi, new enough to cycling, and have been having some trouble with my gears. Mainly that I'll often have to move up or down two steps to get the gear to change. I've been looking around and have found some useful videos on youtube about adjusting the limit screws, I still can't get into the lowest gear. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a video or link that is definitive in terms of symptoms of when the limit screws need to be adjusted or when you need to use the barrel adjuster, etc.? And what about tightening the cable up near the handlebars, etc.?
Thanks in advance

monkeypants

Go here, then here and have a look at this and this. Sounds like either your cable is too tight or too loose to start with. To verify if it's too loose, see if you can change gears all the way by simply pulling on the bare cable. If it's too tight, then release some of the tension at the derailleur end.

MrScootch

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/rear-derailler-adjustments-derailleur

astroguy

Thanks guys. It turned out that the cable tension was a bit low I think, and eventually I got it right by a balance of adjusting the barrel at the derailleur end and at the handlebars. Those links have a lot of useful info, thanks!