Setting up front and rear mech’s

[Monkeeee01]

Does anyone have any links to any good videos or guides (or just have any tips) on how to set up front and rear mechs (specifically XTR M951/2)?

I know there are loads of videos on YouTube etc and I’ve watched a fair few, but I’m still pretty rubbish at it and always end up taking my bike to my LBS once I’ve installed and run cables.

I can obviously install and connect the cables etc but when it comes to getting them smoothly shifting through the gears I don’t seem to be able to make much progress.

In particular I’m trying to get my front mech to work, my understanding is to put the shifter into the smallest / granny ring gear and then pull the cable tight and securely connect the cable to the mech. However when I then attempt to click the shifter to change the gear, it won’t even click as it’s too tight - but yet the actual cable running under the down tube is really slack??

I’d really like to be able to set them up my self and not have to take my bike to the shop and pay them every time I build a new bike or swap shit between them.

Any help/advice or links to docs/videos would be massively appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[NigelFinnighan]

I find it helpful to set your limit screws before cables and chain as close as you can get. Then run your cables and get the slack out. Chain on last and just dial it in.

 

[Monkeeee01]

But what should you set your limit screws to as a starting point?

 

[db95]

But what should you set your limit screws to as a starting point?

The Parktool vids were pretty useful for me when setting up and indexing an RD for the first time:

Worth watching a few times for it to sink in (atleast I had to anyway lol). Regarding the tension and assuming the limits are correct, try fiddling with the barrel adjusters either on the mech or shifter as it sounds like too much tension; clockwise will reduce tension, anticlockwise will add tension. iirc the best practice is to undo the clamp bolt on the derailleur, turn the barrel adjuster clockwise until it stops turning, then one full turn anticlockwise and clamp the bolt again should give enough room for adjustments. Took me a good few hours of fiddling to really understand it and get to grips with it so don't be discouraged.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Find the shimano tech doc for your derailleur, and slavishly follow it.

https://si.shimano.com/en/manual/search?model=FD-M950,FD-M952

 

[bikeworkshop]

And post a photo of your front setup

 

[winjohn]

RD is pretty straightforward.
Set H limit screw so the top jockey wheel lines up with smallest cog and will not come out any further.
Then grip mech, pull back and push towards the wheel as far as you can and set L screw so it will not go in further than biggest cog.
Then thread the cable and secure it as tight as you can with the cable adjuster fully in and the shifter set to the smallest cog. Then use the cable adjuster to tighten the cable further until the shifter moves to the next cog quickly and easily.
That should do it. Test all gears are dialled in across the range and shifts are crisp up and down. Adjust cable adjuster as necessary if needed.
If the shifts do not go smoothly across the range, then check if the derailleur hanger is bent and straighten if necessary. If things still don't work, then check the compatibility of the shifter to the derailleur (don't ask me how I know).

That's the easy bit, when it comes to front mechs then it is really a dark art...

 

[Monkeeee01]

RD is pretty straightforward.
Set H limit screw so the top jockey wheel lines up with smallest cog and will not come out any further.
Then grip mech, pull back and push towards the wheel as far as you can and set L screw so it will not go in further than biggest cog.
Then thread the cable and secure it as tight as you can with the cable adjuster fully in and the shifter set to the smallest cog. Then use the cable adjuster to tighten the cable further until the shifter moves to the next cog quickly and easily.
That should do it. Test all gears are dialled in across the range and shifts are crisp up and down. Adjust cable adjuster as necessary if needed.
If the shifts do not go smoothly across the range, then check if the derailleur hanger is bent and straighten if necessary. If things still don't work, then check the compatibility of the shifter to the derailleur (don't ask me how I know).

That's the easy bit, when it comes to front mechs then it is really a dark art...

Thank you, I will try that!

 

[Monkeeee01]

Find the shimano tech doc for your derailleur, and slavishly follow it.

https://si.shimano.com/en/manual/search?model=FD-M950,FD-M952

Thank you

 

[Monkeeee01]

And post a photo of your front setup

Will do, thanks!