How to Tune a Schwinn 10-Speed Bicycle

Learning basic gear maintenance for your Schwinn 10-speed bicycle is not difficult, and knowing how to adjust the front and rear derailleurs will give you more self-confidence in your biking skills. If you make a mistake, all you need to do is tighten or loosen the derailler adjusting screws. However, if the gears don't seem to work right, no matter what you do, you should taking your bike to a qualified mechanic.

Things You'll Need

  • Ceiling hook
  • Bungee cord
  • Bike stand
  • Phillips screwdriver
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Instructions

  1. Front Derailleur

    • 1

      Place your bike on a bike stand. If you don't have a stand, hang the Schwinn 10-speed bike from a hook in the ceiling with a bungee cord wrapped around the saddle. Keep the bike suspended so the wheels and pedals can move freely.

    • 2

      Check that the bicycle chain is clean and lubricated. Check for chain wear. Apply bicycle chain lubricant to oil the chain. Follow the lubricant package instructions to lubricate the chain. If the chain is extremely worn, have it replaced by a professional.

    • 3

      Locate the left gear shift lever. Follow the cable until it reaches the front derailleur, which is located just in front of the gears.

    • 4

      Find the two small screws at the top of the derailleur. One will have a "L," indicating low gear, the other will have an "H," indicating high gear.

    • 5

      Move the pedals forward and shift to the small chain ring. If it does not change evenly, loosen the L screw by turning it once using the Phillips screwdriver. Try to shift again. If it still won't shift, loosen the screw again. If the chain comes loose, reverse the process and tighten the screw.

    • 6

      Shift gears so the chain shifts to the big chain ring. Observe the smoothness of the change. Loosen the H screw if the chain takes too long or does not change smoothly. Tighten the H screw if the chain is too loose on the big ring or if it comes off.

    Rear Derailleur

    • 7

      Follow the gear cable from the right shift lever to the back derailleur.

    • 8

      Locate the two small L and H screws at the top of the mechanism. Turn the pedal forward and watch the chain move to the smallest wheel. If it does not fully shift or the change is not even, loosen the H screw. If it goes over the wheel (cog), tighten the screw slightly.

    • 9

      Shift the lever so the chain will go onto the largest wheel. If the shift is uneven, the chain does not move, or it does not fit on the wheel well, loosen the L screw. If the chain falls off, tighten the screw.

    • 10

      Take the bike for a short test ride. Check to see that the gears are functioning properly. Sometimes the gears perform differently when you are applying a great deal of pressure to the pedals. If they need more adjusting, hang the bike up again and make the necessary adjustments.