How To Adjust A Rear Derailleur

Items Required To Adjust Your Rear Derailleur

• Screwdriver
• 5 mm Allen Wrench

Follow These Steps To Adjust Your Rear Derailleur

1. Locate your high limit screw - this screw controls how far the derailleur will want to shift the chain off the smallest cog
   • Shift into the smallest cog and back the screw out a few turns
   • This should cause the chain to want to shift off the cog (You'll hear a clicking sound when pedaling)
   • Thread the screw in until the noise goes away


2. Locate your low limit screw - this screw controls how far the derailleur will want to shift the chain off the biggest cog
   • Shift up into the biggest cog and back the screw out a few turns.
   • This may cause the chain to want to shift off the cog into your spokes.
   • Thread the screw in until you are able to pedal smoothly again.
   • If you thread the screw in too far, you won't be able to shift up into the biggest cog. Back the screw out a bit if this is the case.


3. The top derailleur pulley should be as close to the cassette cogs as possible. If it's too close, it might cause rubbing or noise. If it's too far away, shifting will be sloppy
   • Locate the B-tension screw. Thread it in or out in order to adjust the top derailleur pulley.


4. Cable tension is important. Cycle through your gears to determine whether your cable tension is too low, too high, or just right
   • More often than not, your cable tension will be too low. This means your derailleur is hesitating when shifting up into a bigger cog. If this is the case, unthread the barrel adjuster located on the shifter by a click or two. Each click makes a huge difference.
   • If you go too far and your cable tension is too high, thread the barrel adjuster in.

Voila! Enjoy crisp, clean, precise shifting!

Need a tune up? Bring your bike in for maintenance at any of our flagship locations for assistance:

• Seattle Bike Services
• Portland Bike Services
• Denver Bike Services
• Salt Lake City Bike Services
• Snoqualmie Pass Bike Services
• Hood River Bike Services
• Whistler Bike Services

Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:

• Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
• Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
• Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
• Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
• Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
• Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
• Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Handlebars
• Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
• Mountain Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
• Mountain Bikes - How to Clean
• Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
• Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
• Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
• Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
• Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
• Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
• Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
• Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
• Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
• Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
• Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
• Gravel Bikes - How To Get Started Gravel Biking
• eBikes - Classes, Features & More
• eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
• Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
• Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
• Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
• Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
• Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
• Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
• Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
• Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike

Learn About our Favorite Bike Gear:

This is evo. We are a ski, snowboard, wake, skate, bike, surf, camp, and clothing online retailer with physical stores in Seattle, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, Whistler, Snoqualmie Pass, and Hood River. Our goal is to provide you with great information to make both your purchase and upkeep easy.

evo also likes to travel to remote places across the globe in search of world-class powder turns, epic waves, or legendary mountain biking locations through evoTrip Adventure Travel Trips. Or, if you prefer to travel on your own, check out our ski & snowboard resort travel guides and mountain bike trail guides.

Still have questions? Please call our customer care team at 1.866.386.1590 during Customer Care Hours. They can help you find the right setup to fit your needs.