How To Fix Bike Not Shifting Gears

I am often asked how to fix a bike that won't shift gears or will only shift to some gears. The problem will be the shifters, derailleurs, or cables. I walk through the steps to isolate and locate the issue and how to fix it. I cover both the front derailleur and rear derailleur.

How To Fix Shifter Not Catching/Clicking - Won't Shift:

Bike Shifters Won't Shift - The Most Common Cause:

How To Diagnose/Repair Stiff/Sticky Shifting On A Bike:

Repair Shimano STX RC Trigger Shifter That Won't Shift:

Derailleur Limiting Screws - What Are They? How To Adjust Limit Screws:

Straightening A Bent Derailleur Hanger:

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[kathryncost]

Im a 13yo girl, and i asked my stepdad to fix my bike because my gears werent shifting correctly. He rode my bike uphill but was still dumb to understand the problem so he denied to atleast listen to what my problems were with the bike. He got annoyed so then i decided to just do it myself because he's just lazy asf i guess.. In the garage and at the end of this video i understood what the problem was and i fixed it with the tools we have in the garage!! thank you so much!!

[nosoupforyouever]

I've had like 3 mountain bikes over the years and I've always eventually had an issue with the shifters. I'm glad I finally found a video on this issue

[starman]

Finally found a video that addressed my problem, front gear would not shift on to the largest gear. Bought the bike used with this problem. Simple adjustment of the high limiter screw and problem solved. Your the MAN! Thanks for the videos.

[AlphaDaddy]

Who dislikes this!?? Such useful and complete info with clear visuals, what do they expect, that the guy goes over there to fix their bikes himself ?

[kellyyoung]

I am one with my bike and my bike is with me.

No really though, this made me feel confident that I could tinker around on my own without needing to go to a shop. Thank you!

[HometownbyHandlebar]

Once again, a minute spent watching RJ The Bike Guy prevents an hour cussing in the garage.

[vacmaster]

This was so straight forward and easy to understand! Awesome job for such a thorough and straight to the point of how to troubleshoot shifting! Heading out to my wife's bike to put this into practice. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. So helpful. God bless.

[alisonmiller]

This guy is THE BEST instructor teacher mentor whatever you wish to call it when it comes to bikes! All of the videos are so clear and zooms up on the individual parts so that you can easily see the part. Great lighting. And he explains things thoroughly but in easy to understand terms. He doesn't just tell u HOW to fix it but also WHY. WHY it's not working right. WHY it gets assembled in this order etc. Which is a big importance to me. He really breaks it down. I find it so much easier to comprehend how to fix a certain aspect of my bike if I know how it works the mechanics of it, and why it isn't doing as intended.

[johnnyceja]

Anyone else feel so satisfied when he pushed and his chain was so smooth when it shifted?

[frog.denial]

Im a new and casual bike rider. I just got a 7 speed bike from Walmart and not sure if it was like this at the store or if it was from shoving the bike in my little car, but the chain came off and it wasn't shifting gears. having absolutely NO experience with mechanics of any kind, this video helped me fix the shifting gear problem!!! thank you!!!

[shutthefrontdoorplz]

This video deserves more like and 0 dislikes. Quick, easy to understand, solved all of the issues. Kudos to you! Amazing help

[Valscorn]

Quite possibly the most useful video for bikes, on YouTube.

[media]

Letting the derailer come first to its "resting spot" before tightening the cable was just the thing that worked for me. Haven't heard any other online cable people recommend doing that first. Thanks much. Great help!

[spookyskeleton]

i feel like ive improved as a person after watching this video and learning the info to fix my brothers bike. thanks so much!

[turtlesarecool]

Thank you! For some reason after I manually pushed the derailleur it started working! You're a lifesaver!

[sauravonutube]

Thanks for a detailed video. I bought a Schwinn Trailway bike from Target 3 days ago. The bike was not shifting to the highest gear. Your explanation was sufficient to get the issue fixed. Thanks again!

[Kent]

Great video easily explained, fixed my problem my self. Before I was going to take it to the bike shop and know they would have charged me an arm and a leg to do the job that took me 3 min to do.

[nunyabusiness]

Instead of “Bill Nye the Science Guy” it’s “Rj the bike guy”

[skam]

I got a free bike, but I wasn’t able to ride it because I couldn’t shift gears. I watched this video and 20 minutes later I had the shifters decreased, re-lubed, and working perfectly. Thanks!

[ildikomatrai]

It is a very straight forward video. Thank you. My gears do move up to the largest and back to the smallest gear. The issue with my bike is always that the chain will not move swiftly BETWEEN the gears. I keep adjusting the shifters from time to time. They work for a short while but within a few days the shifting from one gear to the next becomes problematic again.