6 Top Gear Setup Mistakes | Maintenance Monday

No matter what you ride, there's no excuse for poor setup and maintenance of your gears. Getting it right will make riding your bike a blissfully smooth experience, but if you get it wrong, it could end up ruining your ride. Here Si shows us his top 6 gear setup mistakes, and easy ways to fix them yourself.

Are you guilty of neglecting your gears? Or prefer to leave it to your local trusted mechanic? You can improve your gear shifting setup from your own home, as ex professional rider Si explains in the GCN workshop.

Simon Richardson's top six mistakes for gear setup include:

1. Bad shifting is not okay - don't live with it!
2. Not leaving those limit screws alone....
3. ...or not! (You'll have to watch)
4. You just don't listen!
5. Hanging onto old cables
6. Fitting new cables wrong

Do you think that we missed any clangers? Share your mistakes with us below! 👇

Watch more on GCN...

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The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

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Leave us a comment below!

[gcn]

Got any gear setup mistakes that you think we've missed? Share yours here 👇

[D.Eldon_]

Nice video -- well done! I can add one more "mistake": Adjusting the shifting when the drivetrain is very dirty. Whenever possible, clean the drivetrain before attempting to make adjustments. I've seen some shifter problems magically disappear with a proper cleaning and lube.

[vdias]

I'm afraid I don't speak gear-lish... my bike is chattering away and I don't understand what it's saying!

[ciabattasupreme]

IMO the #1 Top Gear Setup Mistakes was hiring Matt LeBlanc as a host.

[martindorler]

GCN feat. Top Gear.. I wonder who would be captain slow :)

[dabeste]

Decent wire cutting pliers, a pencil (to widen the hole) and some sandpaper/a file did the job perfectly. You don't always need bike-specific tools.

[secretbrad]

Can you do a similar video for di2 as that’s what I’m running. Also that canyon is blooming gorgeous!

[barefeg]

didn't get a pedal sponsor for this video? 🤣

[hornetluca]

My chain has worn out after 5000 km, do you think it's a lot?
Are there chains that last more? #torqueback

[Vii_DT]

typo at 1:49 Low-Lmit, or is it just GCN adptng Cvndsh style?

[ltu]

What do you think about an angle grinder with a 1 mm cutting disc as the tool to cut cable outers? That deforms cables even less than the dedicated cable cutters! Just a little cleanup with a pick or an awl is needed to make sure the hole is clean.

[andrewcorbett]

Love the fact the very last frame of the video makes Si look like he's had one too many of Lloydy's mineral waters

[chrisandrade]

Mistake: Setting up front derailleur with wrong cable tension because of Shimano's trim function.

[thepromrk]

Simon using a dirty bike for a maintenance Monday...going to be a rough winter at that rate :S

[bracknell]

Spotted dirt on that bike. You're slipping Simon.

[leftyseel]

Is it ok to set the H and L limit screws on the front derailleur without removing the cable from the pinch bolt?

[merlings]

gear setup on my croix de fer's a bit clunky, maybe gcn could help? 4600ss rear claris fd, 2300 shifters, hybrid chainset and 32 cassette

[tomrachellesfirstdance]

If we cyclists had more upper body strength we could probably cut cable with pliers 😉

[steve-bsqp]

Not my problem electronic gears all the way for me thank god

[Gkuljian]

The best way to deal with cables and housing is with an abrasive cut-off wheel.
Also, please, SRAM, hurry up with your mountain wireless group! I'm biting my nails.