Adjusting a Shimano Mechanical Shifting System

You don't need a workshop to adjust the gears. You can usually fix chain rattling and gear jumps that don’t work smoothly yourself. In our tutorial you can find out how to get your rear derailleur working properly again.

• Hex wrench, 2 mm
• Workstand (optional)

• H-screw (outer end stop adjustment)
• L-shaped screw (inner end stop adjustment)
• B-screw (chain wrap adjustment)
• Tension adjustment screw

• Shift to the large chainring at the front and the smallest sprocket at the rear.
• If the chain does not fall onto the smallest sprocket, reduce the tension. To do this, turn the tension adjustment screw clockwise by hand.
• Turn the H-screw in or out to adjust the rear derailleur cage to the left or right. The upper pulley wheel should be positioned vertically under the smallest sprocket.

• Shift to the small chainring at the front and the largest sprocket at the rear.
• If the chain does not climb onto the largest sprocket, increase the tension. To do this, turn the tension adjustment screw anti-clockwise by hand.
• Turn the L-screw in or out to adjust the rear derailleur cage to the left or right. The upper pulley wheel should be positioned vertically under the largest sprocket.

• Shift through the gears from top to bottom and test whether the chain runs smoothly in all gears.
• Otherwise, reduce the tension by turning the tension adjustment screw clockwise.
• Finally, check once again that the rear derailleur also shifts smoothly from bottom to top.

• Shift to the small chainring at the front and the largest sprocket at the rear.
• Look at the rear derailleur from behind (disc brake side). There is a marking at the upper end of the rear derailleur cage.
• Turn the B-screw in or out until the marking is level with the teeth of the chainring.
• If there is no marking, you can find the required clearance in your rear derailleur manual or on the Shimano service pages.

Your rear derailleur should now shift smoothly and run silently. If it cannot be adjusted in this way, there may be various reasons such as a bent derailleur hanger or jammed gear cables. In such cases, the service workshop in your Rose store will be happy to help you.