Do you own a 10-speed bicycle? Are you experiencing problems shifting gears? If so, the problem may lie with your bicycle’s rear and front derailleurs. They control a 10-speed bicycle’s drive chain and sometimes need adjustment. Based on my experience, those adjustments are moderately easy to complete. Here’s how to make them yourself:
Supplies Needed
In order to complete this bicycle repair, you will need a set of screwdrivers, a can of dry spray lubricant and a bicycle repair stand. If you don’t have a bicycle repair stand, you’ll need to find someone that is willing to hold your 10-speed bicycle’s rear wheel off of the ground while you complete the repair.
Adjust the Rear Derailleur
Once your 10-speed bicycle’s rear wheel is off of the ground, you will need to look for and examine the rear derailleur. Just in case you are not familiar with the rear derailleur, it rests in the bike’s freewheel hub-and-sprocket assembly area. The freewheel hub-and-sprocket assembly is located in the center of the bicycle’s rear tire.
While examining the bicycle’s rear derailleur, you’ll need to locate the adjustment screws. I have found that they are typically located near a large letter H and a large letter L. Adjustments to the H screw will influence the freewheel’s smallest gear whereas adjustments to the L screw will manipulate its largest gear. You’ll also want to temporarily detach any cables that are connected to the derailleur.
Adjust the Front Derailleur
Proceed by using your screwdriver to carefully tighten both screws. Your goal should be to get the bicycle’s chain to center onto its corresponding cog during shifting. While the bike’s wheel is still in the air, you can test your adjustments to the rear derailleur by manipulating the bike’s pedal and shifter by hand.
When you’ve finished adjusting the rear derailleur, reattach any cables and turn your attention towards the bicycle’s front derailleur. It is traditionally located towards the top of the bike’s chain wheel, near the seat tube. You’ll want to adjust it in the same way.
After making all of the adjustments, you may want to consider lubricating the bike’s derailleurs and freewheel with a dry spray lubricant. The dry spray lubricant will help to ensure that the bike’s working parts continue to work properly.
Ways to Reduce Future Gear Problems
Over the years, I have found that there are five easy ways to reduce gear problems. First, you’ll want to refrain from backpedaling. Second, you’ll want to avoid laying the bicycle down on its right side because the ground’s surface can damage or disrupt the gears. Third, you’ll want to restrict gear shifting to periods when you are pedaling. Fourth, you’ll want to make sure that you perform routine maintenance on your bike. Fifth, you’ll want to keep your bicycle protected from the elements. Doing those things should go a long way in keeping your 10-speed off of the repair stand and onto the pavement.
Source: Personal Experience
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