How to adjust the rear derailleur (gear)

Do you want to learn how to Adjust Rear Derailleur Shimano? Adjusting the rear derailleur on a Shimano bike is an essential skill that every cyclist should have. 

It can help improve the bike's performance and save you money on maintenance costs. 

The majority of rear derailleurs have a similar fundamental design, consisting of two pivots (upper and lower), a cage, and two pulleys that guide the chain.

Follow the steps below provided by our ebike Canada experts at Rize Bikes to learn how to adjust the rear derailleur on your Shimano bike properly!

The easiest way to do this is using the barrel adjuster on the derailleur.

This step is might be different based on the type of electric bikes you have (eg// fat tire electric bike vs a retro electric bike).

You can use it to tighten or loosen the cable slightly and get the shifting back to perfect and making the chain runs smoothly for all rear cogs. 

If you look at the barrel adjuster from the point of view of the cable housing (not the bare cable) running into it, turning the adjuster clockwise will slacken the cable and counter-clockwise will tighten it.

Adding slack (clockwise) to the rear derailleur should adjust the chain towards the small cog, tightening (counter-clockwise) moves it towards the large cog. 

If the barrel adjuster doesn't give you enough range, then you'll have to adjust the slack where the cable clamps into the derailleur. 

Try it out, you should be able to see small movements in the derailleur as you tweak the barrel adjuster. 

Of course, there are a whole range of other problems that can affect shifting (worn chain, worn cogs, bad chain line, worn cable/housing, sticky derailleur, etc.), but try this method out first.

Adjusting the rear derailleur on a Shimano bike is an essential skill for any cyclist. You can take a look at our step by step guide for a quick overview.

1. Shift to the smallest chainring on the front and the largest cog on the rear. 

2. Use the barrel adjuster to adjust the cable tension. 

If the chain is struggling to stay on the cog, tighten the barrel adjuster by turning it clockwise. If the chain is skipping or making noise, loosen the barrel adjuster by turning it counterclockwise. 

3. Check the alignment of the derailleur. If it's not parallel to the cogs, use an Allen wrench to loosen the bolt holding the derailleur to the derailleur hanger. 

4. Align the derailleur to the cogs and tighten the bolt. Use the high and low limit screws to adjust the derailleur position. 

The high limit screw adjusts the derailleur's position when it's in the smallest cog, while the low limit screw adjusts the derailleur's position when it's in the largest cog. 

5. Shift the bike to the smallest cog, and turn the high limit screw until the derailleur is aligned with the cog. 

Do the same with the low limit screw when the bike is shifted to the largest cog. 

6. Check the shifting performance. Shift through all the gears to ensure smooth shifting. 

7. If you experience any problems, adjust the cable tension or limit screws as needed. 

Overall, adjusting the rear derailleur on a Shimano bike takes patience and practice, but it's a skill that can save you money on bike maintenance costs and improve your riding experience.

Our article on How To Adjust A Rear Derailleur may also apply to you.

Here are some questions people ask about how to adjust rear derailleur shimano:

How do I know if my rear derailleur is compatible? 

To determine if your rear derailleur is compatible, you need to know a number of things such as:

- The number of speeds in your drivetrain

- The brand and model of your shifter

- The maximum cassette size that your derailleur can handle on your ebike

How do I know which rear derailleur to buy? 

Once you know the answer to the above, this will help you determine which rear derailleur to buy.

Do Ebikes need special bike racks? 

Ebikes can use standard bike racks as long as the weight of the bike plus the rack does not exceed the rack's weight limit and the rack is compatible with the bike's frame.

Can rear derailleurs swap? 

Rear derailleurs can be swapped as long as the new derailleur is compatible with your drivetrain and has the same or greater maximum cassette size as your current derailleur.

Make sure to do your proper research because the last thing you want to do is get the wrong parts!

Can I use a different derailleur? 

Yes, but read the answer above.

What are the different types of rear derailleur? 

The different types of rear derailleur include road, mountain, and hybrid, and they come in different speeds to match the number of gears in the drivetrain.

How do I know the size of my derailleur? 

To know the size of your derailleur, you need to measure the distance between the center of the derailleur mounting bolt and the center of the jockey wheel axle.

If you are unsure of how to do this, be sure to seek the advice of an expert. Or simply ask one of our Rize Bikes team members!

How do you adjust a Shimano rear derailleur? 

To adjust a Shimano rear derailleur, you need to use the barrel adjuster to align the jockey wheel with the cassette and adjust the limit screws to prevent the chain from falling off.

What are the adjustment screws on a rear derailleur? 

The adjustment screws on a rear derailleur include the barrel adjuster, the high limit screw, and the low limit screw.

What are the 3 screws on rear derailleur? 

The 3 screws on a rear derailleur are the high limit screw, the low limit screw, and the B-tension screw.

What is the L limit screw on rear derailleur? 

The L limit screw on a rear derailleur is the low limit screw, which controls how far inward the derailleur can move and prevents the chain from falling off the smallest cog.

How do I adjust my rear derailleur for better shifting? 

To adjust your rear derailleur for better shifting, you can start by checking the derailleur hanger alignment, then adjust the limit screws, and use the barrel adjuster to fine-tune the shifting.

How do you adjust a derailleur for perfect shifting? 

To adjust a derailleur for perfect shifting, you can use a cable tension gauge to set the correct cable tension and fine-tune the shifting with the barrel adjuster.

Again, if you are unsure on how to do this yourself, seek the advice of a professional. 

How to tune a Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur? 

To tune a Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur, you can follow the same steps as adjusting a Shimano derailleur, using the barrel adjuster and limit screws to align the jockey wheel with the cassette and prevent the chain from falling off.

Which way do you turn the rear derailleur barrel adjuster?

To increase the tension on the rear derailleur, turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise, and to decrease the tension, turn it clockwise.

For visual learners, check out some videos on YouTube for how to do this properly.

 

Which derailleur do you adjust first?

It is recommended to adjust the rear derailleur first, then adjust the front derailleur to prevent chain drop and improve shifting performance.

Any other questions? Let us know and we can add it to our comprehensive list here!

Adjusting the rear derailleur on a Shimano bike takes patience and practice, but it's a skill that can save you money on bike maintenance costs and improve your riding experience.

Did this guide help you at all? Well, we certainly hope so! Hopefully this gives you the confidence to get your very first electric bike!