Bicycle Maintenance: How To Adjust a Rear Derailleur
Why Bicycles Stack Exchange recommends it
Bicycles Stack Exchange answerers point people to it when a rider has chain slipping, clicking, or poor shifting and needs a visual walkthrough of rear derailleur adjustment.
Recommended by 3 people across 3 different months, 2011 to 2016.
What it is
A short 2008 how-to from Performance Bicycle's maintenance series showing the steps for adjusting a rear derailleur. It covers the basic limit screws and cable tension adjustments on a typical bike.
What people said
Recommends aportr · 2011-11 · Bicycles Stack Exchange · on “What's the best way to fix up my used bike?”
I would suggest learning to adjust the setup on your bike before anything else. If you're mechanically minded, get your hands dirty and have a play around. If you're not, a bicycle is a great place to start your learning, and you can always take it to a bike store if it frustrates you too much. There are a lot of youtube videos on the subject if you prefer them over books: Adjusting brakes: Adjusting your rear derailleur, which is often the cause of gear troubles: You'll first want to check the back wheel is true and aligned correctly. Sometimes going over gutters and bumps can knock the wheel loose which knocks everything else out of alignment. Steel cables will stretch over time, especiall
Recommends Stephen McCoy · 2012-09 · Bicycles Stack Exchange · on “Lowest Gear Out of Whack”
Here's a video that explains how to adjust your rear derailleur. Since you didn't mention adjusting the high gear or low gear adjusting screws, this may be your problem area. Sometimes it's best to start with all adjustments in a "neutral" condition before you attempt to "fine tune" the derailleur. It would benefit you to tell us the brand and model of your deraileur syatem the next time you have a problem. Even different models from the same company, can have their little "quirks" ofetn learned by experience rather than instructions. Hope this will help you out! Good luck!
Recommends mcgyver5 · 2015-06 · Bicycles Stack Exchange · on “Chain keeps slipping”
I think your derailleur needs adjustment. Watch this video and if you think you can follow those steps, try it. Otherwise bring your bike to a bike shop and let them do it.
Cites Steve · 2016-10 · Bicycles Stack Exchange · on “Chain clicks when the back wheel is in highest and lowest gears”
Listen to where the clicking is occurring. Look down while you pedal at the front derailleur and see if there is any rubbing. If so adjust accordingly. If there is no noticeable rubbing on the front then it is your rear derailleur that needs to be adjusted. Be careful when doing this. I have messed it up a few times with leaves you with a bike that cant shift. If you dont feel confident in doing this yourself a shop can do it for you rather quickly. Also a great time to get a tune up and sized if you havent been already.