Fit And Set Up A Bike’s Rear Derailleur

Following the correct sequence of steps is essential if you want to set up a rear derailleur correctly. Otherwise, it can be a frustrating experience. The entire job can be time consuming, as you'll have to re-fit the gear cable and remove and replace the chain. However don't be put off, none of the steps are particularly difficult to accomplish.

This is a long guide, so you can choose to either watch the entire video above, or follow it in smaller chunks by clicking on the individual steps below.

Steps to Fit And Set Up A Bike’s Rear Derailleur:

00:06 Fit A Bike's Rear Derailleur
The rear derailleur is a mechanism to control the chain tension. This is necessary as a derailleur system employs different amounts of chain when running in different gears. It's other function is to push the chain left or right so that it can shift between different gears.

01:05 Thread A Chain On To A Bike's Rear
If the chain looks and sounds right then it's usually following the correct path on the rear derailleur. If you're uncertain about this, look carefully at the old chain's route before you take it off, take pictures or make a sketch.

03:31 Diagnose Chain Length For Bike
On a derailleur gear system the chain shifts between cog wheels of different sizes. The system adapts to the demands for different amounts of chain with a spring-loaded arm that moves the bottom jockey wheel backwards to increase or decrease the path the chain must follow.

04:14 Connect A Bike's Chain With A Chain Tool
Any single-speed or standard derailer chain can be connected with chain tool. Narrow 9, 10 or '11 speed' chains have plates that are too thin to make this a reliable process and connect with special links that are supplied with them. Some chains – for example Shimano - have to be broken and reconnected with a special pin. Others with a trick link that can be dismantled by hand.

05:45 Set A Limit Screw On A Bike's Rear
The rear derailleur moves the chain left and right so it engages different cogs on the back wheel. A spring pushes it in one direction - usually towards the high gears, the small cogs. A cable pulls it in the other direction.

10:00 Fit A Bike's Derailleur Cable
A derailleur cable doesn't need to pull as hard as a brake cable but - if the system is indexed - it needs to transmit energy precisely from the shifter to the derailleur.

7. Index A Bike's Rear Derailleur
A friction rear derailer is set-up once the limit screws are set and the cable connected. An indexed system, where the shifters click between gear positions needs to be tuned or indexed. the process of indexing is getting the hand control and the derailleur mechanism in tune with each other. Connect the cable with the derailleur in top gear, give the shifter one click. If this makes the derailleur shift one gear the cable was tight enough. If it doesn't make the derailleur shift adjust the cable until the derailleur is in a position that matches the position selected by the shifter.

8. Adjust The C-Screws On A Bike's Rear
The last adjustment on a rear derailleur is a C-screw. This screw presses on a small tag on the the back of the gear-hanger and adjusts the position in which the derailleur rests.

#BikeRepair #HowTo #BicycleMaintenance

[prettypointlessvideo]

Proper instructions, good length of time between steps, minimal random chat, no background death metal. Nicely made video. Clear and concise!

[HiruS]

What a great tutorial, finally I understand exactly what’s going on

[CounTreeGuy]

Was beating my head against a wall for hours and having major problems getting this right. I watched a ton of other videos and most were not very helpful. This video is the most detailed and covers everything!! Thanks so much.

[Thebois]

so I've attempted to do this on many occasions and even after watching gcn how too's i just couldn't grasp it. In the end would pay a shop but after finding this indepth slowly paced informed video I've only gone and cracked it lol. so thanks for putting the time into making this and for that I'm subscribed for life 😊

[BlauerPlums]

This video is incredibly detailed and helpful. I was always wondering how to change and adjust the rear derailleur and all the other videos are way too quick. Great videography! Thanks heaps.

[catrat]

Thanks, very good instruction's, helped me fix my bike, adjusting derailleur after a few try's!

[zarez]

So detailed, step by step instructions. Can't go wrong. The best

[thomaspagenkopf]

Excellent and solved my problem. Highly recommended. I had to watch it a few times.

[VexxJam]

One of the best videos I've seen on this topic. Very helpful, ty!!!!

[ChristianBoz]

I was actually looking something else up when I came across this and I must say it is probably the best video I've seen on the subject. Concise, detailed and clear. The additional text instructions and images make the process even easier to follow. Very good. Thanks.

[roncooke]

Is it a C screw or a B screw Great video well explained, i wish all were so clean

[georgichalakov]

Thank you!
That was one verry helpful video for me.

[shaunsmith]

This is all well and good if you have practiced this a few times, however on the first attempt you will soon realise it's more difficult than explained ! as i found out watching a you tube video, in the end i did end up taking it to the bike shop 😁😁

[shortstatus.miilionveiws]

My bike gears r getting to high pisiton bt r not coming down what i have to do

[chrislinhares]

Do the British call the B screw the C screw? They seem to be the same thing.

[MJs-]

At 8:42 if I do it while the front derailleur wire is mounted and the chain is on the highest ring in the front cassette (lowest gear setting for the front derailleur) would it still allow me to move the chain all the way to the highest ring on the rear cassette like you have done ?

[arkk]

Chain. No logo face must be inside. Please read Shimano instruction before uploading Youtube.

[BiblicResurces]

is sram chain in to shimano reclam???!!! blasfemy hii hii..

[ardvarkkkkk]

He says frames have integrated hangers then he proceeds to mount a bolt on.

[pattskatoey]

I’m sure you could’ve explained this in less time.