You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / rear derailleur cable issue
rear derailleur cable issue
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
I had a cable problem recently that left me with only a few gears. Its been suggested I could have used cable ties to fix the derailleur on the 34 cog. Is this possible and how would I do it? (yes i was born without the macgyver gene)
Its an xtr setup on a specialised epic.
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
Tags
He PS, I don't follow... are you asking 'if my cable breaks on a trail, could I use cable ties to get lock the derailleur to give me a more suitable gear'?
I hope you found a fix for your cable issue!
Yes, that's the question, how do I get a suitable gear with just cable ties available?
That'd take a bit of thought, but I reckon you could arrange a couple of cable ties to support the der in a suitable position. But why? Just adjusting the limit screws should allow you to get an acceptable gear.
"Should" ... but does it?
(Edit: Sorry, don't mean to be mean ... I've just been burnt professionally a few times too many by relying on what folks have told me "should" be the case as far as the features of a system are concerned.
)
@PS: Go the stick juggested by rob below - jam it between the upper and lower links in the deraileur - the bit that has X-0 or XTR stamped on it and the coil tension spring
I reckon you'd get a better result jamming sticks or something into the RD mechanism after pushing it to the gear you want. Guess you could then use a cable tie to hold said sticks into position?
Why not just adjust the limit screw all the way in? it should give you a position in the middle of the cassette and you should be able to still shift up front thus giving you a 3 speed.
You know what though, the best option is to replace your cables regularly so they never degrade to this point in the first place. Keeping your cables fresh also means shifting is lighter, smoother and more accurate. All good things in my book!!!
If you have grip shift the cables are sooo easy to replace. I did mine not long ago when I smashed the rear derailleur off.
That's a good idea and PS has raised a good point.
I think we've all been let down by Mr Rear-Gear-Selector from time to time (Flashbacks to Capital Punishment). I got through the last time by forcing the derailleur in to my gear of choice (it was so bunged up, I selected top gear on my shifters (so there was plenty of slack cable) and hamfisted it into the appropriate gear on the cassette.
Thanks for the tips guys. I will try the limit screw adjustment on my old hardtail and see how far it goes. Will also have a look at the hinges and gaps so I know what to do next time if I need to shove a stick i there.
It was probably caused by poor maintenance. The cable wasn't that old however I noticed a small nick in the plastic outer a couple of weeks ago and thought I would get it replaced next time I dropped it in the LBS. Went for a couple of rides between noticing the nick and it failing in the race without any problems or change in the cable housing.
Not sure if the pressure just opened it up in the race or if it got hit be one of the hundreds of stick we rode over on the 20k decent. Heard lots of things bouncing off the frame and felt a lot of stuff hit my shoes so it might also have got damaged that way.
Anyway I do treat cables as consumables and wont start another race with any damage to the outer plastic.