How to Adjust Bicycle Shifters

To correctly adjust bike shifters, you must adjust the cable. There are no adjustments on the shifter handle itself. Shifting adjustments are done on the cable’s barrel adjusters where they enter the derailleur, or on the bikes down-tube barrel adjuster on the right side of your bike within arm’s reach when you are riding your bike. Never adjust screws on a derailleur, you will only make shifting problems worse if you attempt to adjust screws on a derailleur. Most (90 percent) of all shifter problems are caused by improper cable tensioning.

Things You'll Need

  • Bike stand
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the bike in a bike stand. Shift the bike into the smallest gear on the back, and the biggest gear on the front. As you are turning the pedal with your left hand, reach up with your right hand and click the shifter lever to shift the bike into the second smallest gear on the back.

    • 2

      Watch the chain. If it does not instantly jump up to the second smallest gear, reach down and turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise as you turn the pedals. Continue turning the barrel adjuster until the chain jumps onto the second gear. The barrel adjuster is located right where the cable enters the derailer on the back of the bike. It is a serrated knob with the cable passing through it.

    • 3

      Turn the pedals. If the chain jumps past the second gear, you turned the barrel adjuster too far, turn it clockwise to decrease tension on the cable until the chain stays on the second gear.

    • 4

      Turn the pedals. Slowly turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise until you hear a slight clattering noise. Gently turn the connector clockwise until the chain is quiet.

    • 5

      Shift through the entire gear range as you turn the pedals. If there is noise in any of the gears, turn the barrel adjuster clockwise to quiet. If the bike won’t shift into higher gears, turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise until the bike shifts.