Front shifter fails after replacing crankset - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

07-11-2004, 08:05 AM

Hi,

I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't change
gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
derailleur.

I think the problem may have 2 causes:

1) I have an old, worn, 8-speed chain. The crankset is 9-speed. The
8-speed&9-speed combo shouldn't be a problem but I suspect the old chain
might be too worn to work. My worry is that although people did tell me
that shifting performance would be 'poor', they didn't say the performance
would be non-existent. Since upgrading, it's actually impossible to
controllably change gear, even if I push the derailleur way out. It's
possible to change from the large to the middle but impossible to go from
middle to large.

2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB. But perhaps this is a little
too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far away from
the frame?

My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX Splined
9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44

I've taken some photos to illustrate my problem:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Thanks in advance for your help,
Jack

07-11-2004, 08:26 AM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:05:14 +0100, "Daniel Kelly \(AKA Jack\)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].ac.uk> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't change
>gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
>derailleur.
>
>I think the problem may have 2 causes:
>
>1) I have an old, worn, 8-speed chain. The crankset is 9-speed. The
>8-speed&9-speed combo shouldn't be a problem but I suspect the old chain
>might be too worn to work. My worry is that although people did tell me
>that shifting performance would be 'poor', they didn't say the performance
>would be non-existent. Since upgrading, it's actually impossible to
>controllably change gear, even if I push the derailleur way out. It's
>possible to change from the large to the middle but impossible to go from
>middle to large.
>
>2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
>longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB. But perhaps this is a little
>too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far away from
>the frame?
>
>My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX Splined
>9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44
>
>I've taken some photos to illustrate my problem:
>
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>Thanks in advance for your help,
>Jack
>

Looking at pictures 5, 6 and 7, your front derailleur is positioned
very high, far away from the chainrings. It's going to be hard to get
clean shifting with it so high.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

You might start from scratch and follow these steps one by one.

07-11-2004, 08:26 AM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:05:14 +0100, "Daniel Kelly \(AKA Jack\)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].ac.uk> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't change
>gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
>derailleur.
>
>I think the problem may have 2 causes:
>
>1) I have an old, worn, 8-speed chain. The crankset is 9-speed. The
>8-speed&9-speed combo shouldn't be a problem but I suspect the old chain
>might be too worn to work. My worry is that although people did tell me
>that shifting performance would be 'poor', they didn't say the performance
>would be non-existent. Since upgrading, it's actually impossible to
>controllably change gear, even if I push the derailleur way out. It's
>possible to change from the large to the middle but impossible to go from
>middle to large.
>
>2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
>longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB. But perhaps this is a little
>too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far away from
>the frame?
>
>My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX Splined
>9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44
>
>I've taken some photos to illustrate my problem:
>
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>Thanks in advance for your help,
>Jack
>

Looking at pictures 5, 6 and 7, your front derailleur is positioned
very high, far away from the chainrings. It's going to be hard to get
clean shifting with it so high.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

You might start from scratch and follow these steps one by one.

07-11-2004, 08:26 AM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:05:14 +0100, "Daniel Kelly \(AKA Jack\)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].ac.uk> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't change
>gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
>derailleur.
>
>I think the problem may have 2 causes:
>
>1) I have an old, worn, 8-speed chain. The crankset is 9-speed. The
>8-speed&9-speed combo shouldn't be a problem but I suspect the old chain
>might be too worn to work. My worry is that although people did tell me
>that shifting performance would be 'poor', they didn't say the performance
>would be non-existent. Since upgrading, it's actually impossible to
>controllably change gear, even if I push the derailleur way out. It's
>possible to change from the large to the middle but impossible to go from
>middle to large.
>
>2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
>longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB. But perhaps this is a little
>too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far away from
>the frame?
>
>My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX Splined
>9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44
>
>I've taken some photos to illustrate my problem:
>
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>Thanks in advance for your help,
>Jack
>

Looking at pictures 5, 6 and 7, your front derailleur is positioned
very high, far away from the chainrings. It's going to be hard to get
clean shifting with it so high.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

You might start from scratch and follow these steps one by one.

07-11-2004, 08:26 AM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:05:14 +0100, "Daniel Kelly \(AKA Jack\)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].ac.uk> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't change
>gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
>derailleur.
>
>I think the problem may have 2 causes:
>
>1) I have an old, worn, 8-speed chain. The crankset is 9-speed. The
>8-speed&9-speed combo shouldn't be a problem but I suspect the old chain
>might be too worn to work. My worry is that although people did tell me
>that shifting performance would be 'poor', they didn't say the performance
>would be non-existent. Since upgrading, it's actually impossible to
>controllably change gear, even if I push the derailleur way out. It's
>possible to change from the large to the middle but impossible to go from
>middle to large.
>
>2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
>longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB. But perhaps this is a little
>too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far away from
>the frame?
>
>My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX Splined
>9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44
>
>I've taken some photos to illustrate my problem:
>
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>Thanks in advance for your help,
>Jack
>

Looking at pictures 5, 6 and 7, your front derailleur is positioned
very high, far away from the chainrings. It's going to be hard to get
clean shifting with it so high.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

You might start from scratch and follow these steps one by one.

07-11-2004, 08:26 AM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:05:14 +0100, "Daniel Kelly \(AKA Jack\)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].ac.uk> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't change
>gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
>derailleur.
>
>I think the problem may have 2 causes:
>
>1) I have an old, worn, 8-speed chain. The crankset is 9-speed. The
>8-speed&9-speed combo shouldn't be a problem but I suspect the old chain
>might be too worn to work. My worry is that although people did tell me
>that shifting performance would be 'poor', they didn't say the performance
>would be non-existent. Since upgrading, it's actually impossible to
>controllably change gear, even if I push the derailleur way out. It's
>possible to change from the large to the middle but impossible to go from
>middle to large.
>
>2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
>longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB. But perhaps this is a little
>too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far away from
>the frame?
>
>My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX Splined
>9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44
>
>I've taken some photos to illustrate my problem:
>
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>Thanks in advance for your help,
>Jack
>

Looking at pictures 5, 6 and 7, your front derailleur is positioned
very high, far away from the chainrings. It's going to be hard to get
clean shifting with it so high.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

You might start from scratch and follow these steps one by one.

07-11-2004, 09:03 AM

Daniel Kelly (AKA Jack) wrote:
>
> I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't
change
> gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
> derailleur.
[snip]
> 2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
> longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB.

Bingo, there's your problem!

> But perhaps this is a little
> too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far
away from
> the frame?

Right.

> My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX
Splined
> 9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44

See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Your cranks _should_ have a 113 mm spindle, if the bike has a
normal-sized seat tube, 118 only if it has a fat seat tube. (Fat seat
tubes place the front derailer mechanism farther outboard.)

Sheldon "Chainline" Brown
+---------------------------------------------------+
| Time shouldn't just pass; things should happen. |
| --Harry Turtledove |
+---------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

07-11-2004, 09:03 AM

Daniel Kelly (AKA Jack) wrote:
>
> I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't
change
> gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
> derailleur.
[snip]
> 2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
> longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB.

Bingo, there's your problem!

> But perhaps this is a little
> too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far
away from
> the frame?

Right.

> My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX
Splined
> 9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44

See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Your cranks _should_ have a 113 mm spindle, if the bike has a
normal-sized seat tube, 118 only if it has a fat seat tube. (Fat seat
tubes place the front derailer mechanism farther outboard.)

Sheldon "Chainline" Brown
+---------------------------------------------------+
| Time shouldn't just pass; things should happen. |
| --Harry Turtledove |
+---------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

07-11-2004, 09:03 AM

Daniel Kelly (AKA Jack) wrote:
>
> I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't
change
> gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
> derailleur.
[snip]
> 2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
> longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB.

Bingo, there's your problem!

> But perhaps this is a little
> too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far
away from
> the frame?

Right.

> My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX
Splined
> 9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44

See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Your cranks _should_ have a 113 mm spindle, if the bike has a
normal-sized seat tube, 118 only if it has a fat seat tube. (Fat seat
tubes place the front derailer mechanism farther outboard.)

Sheldon "Chainline" Brown
+---------------------------------------------------+
| Time shouldn't just pass; things should happen. |
| --Harry Turtledove |
+---------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

07-11-2004, 09:03 AM

Daniel Kelly (AKA Jack) wrote:
>
> I've just upgraded my crankset and bottom bracket. And now I can't
change
> gears on the front derailleur. I've tried moving and adjusting the front
> derailleur.
[snip]
> 2) Before buying the BB and crankset, I read that the crankset needs the
> longest available BB axel, so I got 121mm BB.

Bingo, there's your problem!

> But perhaps this is a little
> too long, resulting in the front chainwheels being pushed too far
away from
> the frame?

Right.

> My new BB is the Shimano LX Splined ES51 and the Crankset is the LX
Splined
> 9sp M571 170mm 22.32.44

See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Your cranks _should_ have a 113 mm spindle, if the bike has a
normal-sized seat tube, 118 only if it has a fat seat tube. (Fat seat
tubes place the front derailer mechanism farther outboard.)

Sheldon "Chainline" Brown
+---------------------------------------------------+
| Time shouldn't just pass; things should happen. |
| --Harry Turtledove |
+---------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]