de-stress derailleurs - Page 2 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

09-20-2004, 07:08 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Ken) wrote in message news:<cf159df0.0409192041.338bfff1@posting.google. com>...
> Hello there,
>
> I remember I read somewhere the derailleurs should be adjusted
> properly to minimize the stress while not in use. I forgot the
> details. How do I adjust them?
>
> TIA.
>
> Ken

I've never heard of that. But if there is a case to be made I would
simply slip the chain of the front chainrings and that will take all
the "pressure" off the DR's.

09-20-2004, 07:08 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Ken) wrote in message news:<cf159df0.0409192041.338bfff1@posting.google. com>...
> Hello there,
>
> I remember I read somewhere the derailleurs should be adjusted
> properly to minimize the stress while not in use. I forgot the
> details. How do I adjust them?
>
> TIA.
>
> Ken

I've never heard of that. But if there is a case to be made I would
simply slip the chain of the front chainrings and that will take all
the "pressure" off the DR's.

09-20-2004, 07:08 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Ken) wrote in message news:<cf159df0.0409192041.338bfff1@posting.google. com>...
> Hello there,
>
> I remember I read somewhere the derailleurs should be adjusted
> properly to minimize the stress while not in use. I forgot the
> details. How do I adjust them?
>
> TIA.
>
> Ken

I've never heard of that. But if there is a case to be made I would
simply slip the chain of the front chainrings and that will take all
the "pressure" off the DR's.

09-20-2004, 07:29 AM

On 19 Sep 2004 21:41:55 -0700, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Ken) wrote:

>Hello there,
>
>I remember I read somewhere the derailleurs should be adjusted
>properly to minimize the stress while not in use. I forgot the
>details. How do I adjust them?
>
>TIA.
>
>Ken

Years ago there was talk of leaving the derailleurs in the smallest
rear and front gears because this left the least pressure on the
cables and reduced stretching. I don't know if this had any validity
then, but today's cables are much less prone to stretching.

Theoretically I guess leaving the derailleurs unstressed would be
good. Personally I'm not going to go out of my way to do it.

09-20-2004, 07:29 AM

On 19 Sep 2004 21:41:55 -0700, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Ken) wrote:

>Hello there,
>
>I remember I read somewhere the derailleurs should be adjusted
>properly to minimize the stress while not in use. I forgot the
>details. How do I adjust them?
>
>TIA.
>
>Ken

Years ago there was talk of leaving the derailleurs in the smallest
rear and front gears because this left the least pressure on the
cables and reduced stretching. I don't know if this had any validity
then, but today's cables are much less prone to stretching.

Theoretically I guess leaving the derailleurs unstressed would be
good. Personally I'm not going to go out of my way to do it.

09-20-2004, 07:29 AM

On 19 Sep 2004 21:41:55 -0700, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Ken) wrote:

>Hello there,
>
>I remember I read somewhere the derailleurs should be adjusted
>properly to minimize the stress while not in use. I forgot the
>details. How do I adjust them?
>
>TIA.
>
>Ken

Years ago there was talk of leaving the derailleurs in the smallest
rear and front gears because this left the least pressure on the
cables and reduced stretching. I don't know if this had any validity
then, but today's cables are much less prone to stretching.

Theoretically I guess leaving the derailleurs unstressed would be
good. Personally I'm not going to go out of my way to do it.

09-20-2004, 07:29 AM

On 19 Sep 2004 21:41:55 -0700, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Ken) wrote:

>Hello there,
>
>I remember I read somewhere the derailleurs should be adjusted
>properly to minimize the stress while not in use. I forgot the
>details. How do I adjust them?
>
>TIA.
>
>Ken

Years ago there was talk of leaving the derailleurs in the smallest
rear and front gears because this left the least pressure on the
cables and reduced stretching. I don't know if this had any validity
then, but today's cables are much less prone to stretching.

Theoretically I guess leaving the derailleurs unstressed would be
good. Personally I'm not going to go out of my way to do it.

09-20-2004, 08:10 AM

"gds" wrote: (clip) slip the chain of the front chainrings (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There are actually two different sets of springs--dropping the chain off the
front relaxes the chain tensioning in the rear derailer, but it does not
ease the cable tension to either deraileur.

This thinking is similar to the argument that one should never leave a gun
or a camera shutter ****ed, because the springs will lose their tension
over time. Springs do not lose tension--they are designed to operate well
below the yield stress of the steel.

But, I do agree that Valium, properly applied, can lower any stress
associated with bicycle parts. :-)

09-20-2004, 08:10 AM

"gds" wrote: (clip) slip the chain of the front chainrings (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There are actually two different sets of springs--dropping the chain off the
front relaxes the chain tensioning in the rear derailer, but it does not
ease the cable tension to either deraileur.

This thinking is similar to the argument that one should never leave a gun
or a camera shutter ****ed, because the springs will lose their tension
over time. Springs do not lose tension--they are designed to operate well
below the yield stress of the steel.

But, I do agree that Valium, properly applied, can lower any stress
associated with bicycle parts. :-)

09-20-2004, 08:10 AM

"gds" wrote: (clip) slip the chain of the front chainrings (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There are actually two different sets of springs--dropping the chain off the
front relaxes the chain tensioning in the rear derailer, but it does not
ease the cable tension to either deraileur.

This thinking is similar to the argument that one should never leave a gun
or a camera shutter ****ed, because the springs will lose their tension
over time. Springs do not lose tension--they are designed to operate well
below the yield stress of the steel.

But, I do agree that Valium, properly applied, can lower any stress
associated with bicycle parts. :-)