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expletive_xom asked in SportsCycling · 7 years ago

how do i fix bicycle gears?

i got a hybrid bike in July.

on the right handlebar, i have 7 gears, these all work.

on the left i have 3 gears, i have a problem shifting

i can shift from 3 to 1 ok

i can shift from 3 to 2 ok

i can shift from 1 to 3 ok

but when i shift from 1 to 2.....i get a bunch of clicking.

like something is not in place. this doesnt seem right.

i can shift from 1 to 3....then shift down to 2...and it works.

is the problem the shifter on the handlebar? or the thing directing the chain?

is there any way for me to fix this?

Update:

thanks John

thanks for the tip on the chain angle.

derailleur gave me a word to search youtube for (i had no clue what it was called)

and Old Hippie

now that you mention it, thats a good idea.

i bought it at Dick's Sporting Goods. January would make it 6 months, i will look up my paperwork

2 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    7 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    There is a barrel adjuster right where the cable comes out of the shifter. You want to turn it out 1/2 turn at a time and try it. That will move the derailleur out just a little more when you shift to a higher gear.

    Cables stretch on a new bike and need adjusted once in a while. Do not touch any screws !

    You do not want to use certain gear combination it causes the chain to run at an angle.

    left 1 use 1-3 right

    left 2 use any gear on the right

    left 3 use 5-7

    Edit;

    Chances are a simple adjustment will do it.

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=front+...

  • 7 years ago

    If bought from a REAL bicycle shop - it's under warranty. Take it back to the shop for a FREE after-the-sale tune-up. http://bigshark.com/about/policies-and-shipping-pg...

    Edit: Dick's Sporting Goods is NOT a bicycle shop. It's just a generic, big box sporting goods store. Not much better than Wally World.

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