Stupid question about my rear derailleur
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: South Italy
Posts: 806
Bikes: BMC SLR01; Cannondale Trail; Robur 1956 ; Tomasini 1976 ; Chiorda Condorino 1974 ; Frejus/Rola 1937 ; Specialized RockHopper 1990
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Liked 131 Times
in
80 Posts
Stupid question about my rear derailleur
I currently have a 2x10 setup with shimano deore.
i know that i must use the larger cog while on the rear the chain is near the smallest ,at the same time on other bikes i can use the combination of the smallest front cog and smallest rear cog even if is not correct. In that case i can still pedaling whitout noticing that the cogs combinations is not right , on my bike the chain seems working in a strange way amd sometimes jump (in the worst case scenario if i try to climb with the wrong combinations the chain keep jumping and the bike is not pedalable at all).
I noticed that the derailleur seems in a wrong positions , compared to other bikes with the same setup.
This is the derailleur on my bike , notice that the chain is touching himself at the point of the bigger pulley.

this other image has been taked from a random website , as you can see the derailleur is almost on the same position but the chain seems to be in a better positions.

Do you think i must adjust my derailleur (maybe adding more tension to the hanger's bolt forcing it to keep the chain more in tension) or i must shorten the chain a bit?
(or i there is another solution please write it down)
Sorry for my bad eng
i know that i must use the larger cog while on the rear the chain is near the smallest ,at the same time on other bikes i can use the combination of the smallest front cog and smallest rear cog even if is not correct. In that case i can still pedaling whitout noticing that the cogs combinations is not right , on my bike the chain seems working in a strange way amd sometimes jump (in the worst case scenario if i try to climb with the wrong combinations the chain keep jumping and the bike is not pedalable at all).
I noticed that the derailleur seems in a wrong positions , compared to other bikes with the same setup.
This is the derailleur on my bike , notice that the chain is touching himself at the point of the bigger pulley.

this other image has been taked from a random website , as you can see the derailleur is almost on the same position but the chain seems to be in a better positions.

Do you think i must adjust my derailleur (maybe adding more tension to the hanger's bolt forcing it to keep the chain more in tension) or i must shorten the chain a bit?
(or i there is another solution please write it down)
Sorry for my bad eng
#2
...
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Whitestone and Rensselaerville, New York
Posts: 795
Bikes: Bicycles? Yup.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 236 Post(s)
Liked 707 Times
in
362 Posts
There are no stupid questions and sorry for my lack of Italian, but I'm pretty sure your chain is too long. No doubt more experienced voices will chime in soon.
Here's a good chain length video
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...-length-sizing
Here's a good chain length video
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...-length-sizing
Likes For BTinNYC:
#3
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,207
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 148 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3246 Post(s)
Liked 2,649 Times
in
1,540 Posts
Agree with @BTinNYC that the chain appears to be too long for that specific gear combination. But the large sprocket on the cassette is pretty big, so shortening the chain may cause problems in the large-large gear combination. If that's the case, a longer derailleur cage to wrap more chain may help. Failing that, I'd leave the chain as is and just avoid the small-small combination, because too short chain risks damaging the derailleur, while too long chain is just annoying.
Likes For JohnDThompson:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 3,876
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1564 Post(s)
Liked 1,604 Times
in
932 Posts
One more thing: it is best to use the smallest cogs as little as possible because they wear out the fastest. Using the big or middle ring in front with the middle cogs in back gives the same gear ratios as using the small ring in front with the smaller cogs and is best for long wear.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 17,128
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3790 Post(s)
Liked 2,941 Times
in
1,802 Posts
When in the small/small crossover combo the chin can snag on the chain pick up tabs that are on the large chainring. It's possible that one bike has just enough chain/large ring clearance to not catch on these shift tabs but another bike might not have that clearance and thus the chain will be trying to shift onto the large ring, sort of but without enough help (via the ft der being shifted). Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
Likes For prj71:
#7
more daylight today!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 12,506
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5127 Post(s)
Liked 3,613 Times
in
2,509 Posts
Your chain might be too long. However you also need to put it in the big/big combo and see what that looks like. If your rear DR cage is stretched extended or articulated to it's max with no more travel left, that will be an issue if you shorten the chain.
edit: changed stretched to extended or articulated. I knew someone would probably pounce on that saying you can't stretch a DR cage!
edit: changed stretched to extended or articulated. I knew someone would probably pounce on that saying you can't stretch a DR cage!

Last edited by Iride01; 03-01-22 at 09:06 AM.
Likes For Iride01:
#8
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 26,082
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5409 Post(s)
Liked 3,013 Times
in
1,767 Posts

__________________
Stuart Black
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
Stuart Black
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,445
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1815 Post(s)
Liked 1,960 Times
in
1,202 Posts
Post a pic with the chain in the largest chainring and largest cog (big-big).
John
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: South Italy
Posts: 806
Bikes: BMC SLR01; Cannondale Trail; Robur 1956 ; Tomasini 1976 ; Chiorda Condorino 1974 ; Frejus/Rola 1937 ; Specialized RockHopper 1990
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Liked 131 Times
in
80 Posts
Update: i adjusted the B-screw and removed 3 links from the chain (based on the parktool explaination video) now seems pretty good.

#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 666
Bikes: Cannondale tandems: '92 Road, '97 Mtn. Mongoose 10.9 Ti, Kelly Deluxe, Tommaso Chorus, Cdale MT2000, Schwinn Deluxe Cruiser, Torker Unicycle, among others.
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 238 Post(s)
Liked 173 Times
in
109 Posts
You should shift into the large-large combination and confirm that the rear derailleur can accommodate this. If the chain's too short, it will bind and stop the pedals. If the rider does this while riding, they may tear the derailleur and/or hanger off! (As me how I know! OK, I'll tell you. I set up my mountain bike with a short cage derailleur way back when to "be cool." I knew not to shift into large-large. Just a quirk of my bike. But when I let my uncle ride my bike, I didn't remember to tell him this and he had no idea about avoiding large-large, so he did it. And I had a two-piece derailleur thereafter!)
Likes For LV2TNDM:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,074
Bikes: 85 team Miyata (modern 5800 105) , '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 94 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1949 Post(s)
Liked 1,907 Times
in
1,108 Posts
+1 on making sure large/large works.
we all say "oh I know it doesn't work, but I will never use it" which is good until you slam into that position without thinking..... which can result in a bunch of things including sudden deceleration (another ask my how i know
)
we all say "oh I know it doesn't work, but I will never use it" which is good until you slam into that position without thinking..... which can result in a bunch of things including sudden deceleration (another ask my how i know

__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: South Italy
Posts: 806
Bikes: BMC SLR01; Cannondale Trail; Robur 1956 ; Tomasini 1976 ; Chiorda Condorino 1974 ; Frejus/Rola 1937 ; Specialized RockHopper 1990
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Liked 131 Times
in
80 Posts
You should shift into the large-large combination and confirm that the rear derailleur can accommodate this. If the chain's too short, it will bind and stop the pedals. If the rider does this while riding, they may tear the derailleur and/or hanger off! (As me how I know! OK, I'll tell you. I set up my mountain bike with a short cage derailleur way back when to "be cool." I knew not to shift into large-large. Just a quirk of my bike. But when I let my uncle ride my bike, I didn't remember to tell him this and he had no idea about avoiding large-large, so he did it. And I had a two-piece derailleur thereafter!)
Likes For CrowSeph:
#14
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 9,720
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2406 Post(s)
Liked 2,738 Times
in
1,667 Posts
One more thing: it is best to use the smallest cogs as little as possible because they wear out the fastest. Using the big or middle ring in front with the middle cogs in back gives the same gear ratios as using the small ring in front with the smaller cogs and is best for long wear.