The 6 best ways to fix a front derailleur not shifting to highest gear

In this video I’m going to explain how to fix a front derailleur not shifting to highest gear.

I recently installed a Hollowtech II crankset with new chainrings. I went from a 42 teeth to a 46 teeth outer ring, which meant I had to change the front derailleur as well.

This was because the bigger chainring forced the derailleur to sit higher on the down tube. And this would not be possible with my current E-type front derailleur mount.

So I bought the exact same Shimano FD-M770 front derailleur with a seat tube mount. This of course means I would need to correctly setup and configure the front derailleur, so it’ll shift properly.

[nickedname]

The front derailleur of my proudly restored Schwinn Moab 3 had been working smoothly for months until it suddenly after hitting a bump on the road it refused to shift to the outer ring. As I went thru these 6 ways, I found the 7th way when I noticed that the crank was too loose, o dear, shouldn't be loose at all! I tightened the bolt and hey, magic, the shifting is now great again. So I've just learnt that it pays to check these bolts from time to time. Thanks for the vid, it took me there, cheers.

[Rk_tzy-bgtc]

great video i was stuck on the climb (lowest)
thank you so much for explaining

[chrismontplaisir]

Thanks..just needed to know about the H screw..did the trick

[FolloweroftheWay-Jesus]

I would like to add another possible problem, which is what I just fixed on my bike. If the black "casing" with the metal parts at the ends that goes over the metal shifter cable is somehow not in the metal groove and in the thing by the shifter then you have to get it back to where it is meant to be in order to shift. You first have to loosen the tension of the shifter cable, then adjust the black "casing, " and then finally make the tension to be at the right level. Hope this helps!

[grooveroid]

Great video. A new front derailleur might be in my future..or/and shifters. Why not? I've already replaced the bottom bracket and pedals this week, and need to learn how to true a back wheel. Bottom line is bikes need constant attention if you ride them..

[rotaxrider]

Thanks for the video. I followed it and can get the chain to shift from the smaller front sprocket to the second smallest sprocket but cant get to go to the biggest sprocket.
I can go back and forth now up shifting and down shifting on these 2 sprockets but when i press the shifting lever to go to the biggest one it seems there's no resistance or force on the lever like the other sprockets when I'm shifting them but if i pull on a cable with my hand the derailleur will move over to the biggest sprocket when I'm stopped and looking at the derailleur

[LWINHTETPAING]

Thanks a lot!! I just fixed my front derailleur now. Thank you so much for sharing. I don't need to go to the repair shop and I juz save 10 -20 £ of money!!

[Nmiguy]

Thank you for the great closeups and the details of the explanation.

Could you please expand on how to tweak adjustments while riding the bike?

[mkmllrc]

Help, my front derailleur is stuck at 1st gear and cant shift to 2nd. Also the way it is stuck at front derailleur 1st gear whenever I pedal the rear gear automatically shifts from other gears

[Nmiguy]

Thanks again for your help in the video.
** should chains not be lubricated?

[sempernarc]

Omg thank you so much for explaining everything. I was ready to give up on my bike lol

[OvelNick]

Derailleur problems is without a doubt the most annoying issue on a bike. After you've spent an hour trying to diy it frustration and anger builds. And now, an hour and half into it I'm close to go demo ranch and see how many 300 win mag it takes to cut it in half!

[davewright]

good video very explanitory on the points i wanted

[vgnfab]

Fantastic description of the mechanics!
I have a 2013 scalpel si that I switched from a 39/26 to a 42/28. I made a custom titanium swing arm front derailleur mount to move the derailleur up 6.5mm. Is the derailleur mount option you used applicable? Are there also separate derailleurs sold for different heights (ring sizes) for fixed mount systems?

[micdev]

Hi. Great video - and lovely bike. You say that the D must be positioned 2 mm above the largest chainring. On your video - about 2:05 - that gap between the top of the teeth and the D looks to be about 5 mm. Am I right? Is the 2 mm crucial? Asking for a friend that has just bought a used Batavus women's bike with 3 chainrings that will not shift to the largest cog. The barrel adjuster looks to be broken as well... Thanks

[bryanuriostegui]

What if my limit screws have switched sides and labels (my low screw is closer to the frame) is it an error of the bike?

[crownekwt]

Thank you so much for your explanation

[ericharman]

Really, really helpful video. Thanks very much.

[romanmentor]

Why it won't shift from 2nd to 1st(smallest), only when I put it at a largest chainring and quickly shift it falls from 3rd to 1st. What could be the reason, might be front derailleur is clamped too high or too low?

[wokitlikeyoutalkit]

What's the solution you cleaned the chain with?