When you are cycling, there are chances that the derailleur would make contact with the chain, thus producing a rusty sound.
When this occurs, riding becomes quite uncomfortable, and the best solution would be to set the derailleur in the right mode, in order to avail you a more enjoyable ride.
A mountain bike derailleur is a variable ratio transmission system which is utilized in moving the chain across sprockets.
This system clasps the gears and makes the chain to glide across in a smooth manner on the chainrings.
Fixing the derailleur in the right setting is one of the essential procedures for your mountain bike, which you need to learn.
Carrying out this adjustment requires a great deal of patience and continuous practice.
The below tools are fundamental and instrumental in adjusting the front derailleur on your mountain bike:
A screwdriver
A wrench
The first step to adjusting the front derailleur is to correct the height adjustment.
You would start by correctly holding the derailleur on the frame of your bike. The ideal height of the mountain bike’s derailleur should be between the range of 2-3mm, atop the chainring.
In order to ensure this is possible, position the bottom of the derailleur close to the biggest sprocket teeth.
This would ensure that the cage does not conflict with the chainring.
Furthermore, the Low Gear limit should be checked. The chain has to be positioned at the back on the middle cog, and in the front, at the smallest chainring.
The Low Gear Limit would counteract the derailleur from shifting towards and past the smallest-sized chain wheel which would fix the chain on the bracket shell.
Once the inner plate is in place, would ensure that the chain is neither too tight nor loose.
The chain would move out of position during downshifting on the small chain during loosening.
Lastly, the High Gear Limit needs to be looked into.
For this to occur, you need to ensure that the chain is fixed on the biggest sprocket positioned in the front, and the smallest one at the back.
This would avert the clashing of the chains and pedals.
The angle needs to be set as well, and for this to happen, the derailleur chain has to be in tune with the chain.
You can shift the chain to the external front part of the chain and the external sprocket.
Rotating the derailleur would reduce the tension on the interiorly positioned wire, and this can be done by taking down the derailleur to the interior chain wheel.
So, untie and retighten the clamp bolt to ensure that the height would not change.
When they are perfectly aligned, the rotational angle would be perfect.
Once the procedures above can be followed strictly, you can be sure that your mountain bike would perform optimally.
In cases when you are at a loss as to how to adjust the front derailleur, you can seek the services of a professional.