How to Adjust a Front Derailleur

The majority of front shifting problems can be solved with basic adjustments to the limit screws and index setting of the front derailleur system. In this video we'll show you how to properly set up and adjust your front derailleur to eliminate rub, noise, slow shifting, and inaccessible gears.

Questions or comments? Leave them below!

Video contents:
00:00 Preliminary Info
00:48 Derailleur Alignment
03:06 L-Limit Screw Adjustment
05:58 H-Limit Screw Adjustment
09:40 Indexing Adjustment

➤ Tools & materials used:

➤ Fix It:
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➤ About Park Tool:
Since our founding in 1963, Park Tool has been the leading name in bicycle tools. Our YouTube channel is an extension of our mission to be the ultimate resource for mechanics and riders of all skill levels. Here you will find comprehensive repair help tutorials for a wide range of components and processes, as well as troubleshooting guides, tips and tricks, and information on the latest Park Tool products.

➤ More Derailleur Repair Help:
• Front Derailleur - Advanced Troubleshooting ▶︎
• How To Align a Derailleur Hanger Using the DAG-2.2 ▶︎

[foofooss]

Guys! I did it! My chain was rubbing my front mech so I started tinkering with it. Next thing I know I was neck deep in problems. I tried fixing it, watched a ton of videos to no prevail. I gave up and decided to come back another day. With a fresh mind and a cup of tea I watched this video, took everything step by step, slowly turning the screws, and everything worked. If you can't seem to get your front mech working, take a break. Come back to it when your in a good mood. And when your adjusting the screws do small movements, it's less than you think. Cheers!

[crosskeyhorror]

After attempting this for 3 failed hours with my bike upside down in the grass I've come to the conclusion that one of those bike work stands is a must

[maxthrottle]

How can something so small be so hard adjust. I spent about 8 hours trying every combination of screws and settings with no luck. This video is a godsend.

[tiowaro]

My wife wants to know why I see your videos every day, lol. Im unemployed and have bought and sold bikes for 8 months now, Calvin's step by step saved me and taught me so much. If there's anything you ever need Calvin! You have a friend here in Los Angeles.

[lilpackerfann]

You're the mechanically-inclined neighbor that everybody needs at least once in their lives. Thank you for all of your help from your videos.

[Defectordrunkzone]

I have never seen someone explaining how things work that good.I swear he loves his job.Thank you.Subbed.

[ramandeshmukh]

3 hours after i took up fixing my front derailleur i stumbled across this video. About half an hour later, i adjusted it better than it came out of the box! Thank you so much, truly a life saver for a beginner like me!

[mypandabear]

Despite this, many bike shop mechanics still don't understand the design and intents. I'm determined to buy Park Tool whenever they are available to support them.

[EnligUlv]

Over the years, I've watched countless flicks on the RD. Calvin is the best communicator -- no stammering, "UMS", and he uses precise words for all respective parts.

[paulmartin]

I've been changing my own gear cables for 20 years, (and constantly making adjustments to try and get them right). Watched this video and realised where I had been going wrong all that time. I now have perfectly working front derailleurs - adjusted and correctly set within a few minutes. Thank you!!

[IndiTheBull]

These park tool videos have helped me learn how to do so much maintenance on my bike to keep me on the road commuting to work. Calvin's very thorough and easy to follow explainers are a life saver

[shiftyg]

Having been chasing a constant problem with the adjustment on my mountain bike front derailleur this video finally put it to bed. Even my local bike shop struggled and wanted to simply fire the parts cannon at my expense replacing perfectly good components unnecessarily. I was convinced it was simply an adjustment issue and I was proven right by following your video. Thanks very much for taking the time to explain things and how to adjust in the correct order.

[michaelkirwan]

The Gold Standard of bicycle maintenance and Calvin is one concise deliverer in a manner that even a novice will appreciate for the confidence he instills. Like RJ the bike guy he conveys occasionally complex tasks and addresses them in very straightforward and easily grasped tutorials. This man really cares that you understand and like RJ knows how to present it in a manner that erases any concerns you might have that you cannot do it. Park Tool has a real Gem in this guy.

[gclaborn]

Got a used mt. bike on craigslist and both derailleurs were seriously out-of-whack; shifting when I didn't ask it to, not shifting when I did, chain popping off the sprockets, etc. Never did this kind of adjustment before... this and the corresponding rear derailleur vid and the bike is now perfect. Great video: clear, concise ... great job!

[ChefandTheArbistor]

These guys are legends. My derailleur wasn’t shifting at all, and now it does after this video

[lkandia]

Fabulous. I spent 20 minutes fiddling with the 2 screws getting nowhere. 10 minutes into the video and my lowest front gear now engages as well as the top gear. Without chain grinding. Thanks SO much guys!

[christopherm]

Ive watched a ton of videos and read a stack of articles on tuning the front derailleur, but this one is above and beyond the best one of them all. Thank you!

[tedcallear]

This is the best explanation I have witnessed after spending a complete morning watching adjustment videos. Easy to understand and at a pace to allow the information time to be absorbed before pushing on. Great job!

[MediumHalf]

This video once again guided me through what otherwise would've been a supremely frustrating time. It was still frustrating because the barrel adjuster was seized and I had to use pliers to turn it, but this made it bearable. Thanks Calvin, you're an incredible teacher.

[RadoHudran]

Watched this many times, saved me many times. Guys, ya'll are lagends. The editor too! Great attention to detail. Pure gold