Electric Bikes
How to set up/ troubleshoot the derailer system
Derailleur Adjustment Guide
The derailleur is a bike component that moves the chain from
one cog to another when the shifter is used while a rider is pedaling.
If the cogs or chain are very dirty, grimy, or sticky, that
can affect the bike's ability to shift properly. Check out the article and
instructional video for how to perform basic bike chain cleaning HERE.
If the bike chain falls off the freewheel cogs, or the bike
is noisy or imprecise when shifting, a derailleur adjustment is recommended.
Get the bike ready for maintenance. Turn off the bike, remove the battery, and press MODE to discharge remaining power.
Inspect the derailleur. Look
at the derailleur, located at the rear wheel, and see if it's lined up directly
below the gear that the shifter is set to. Note: When
in 7th gear, the chain should be on the small cog. When in first gear, the chain
should be on the largest cog.
Four things to adjust.
1.
Select 7th gear the smallest cog. Move your shifter on the
handlebars to the #7 position.
Loosen the shifter cable down at the derailleur so it isn’t affecting setting
the outboard stop.
2.
Adjust the H limit screw (upper screw) so the chain doesn’t go too far
out or rub the 6th cog in. Turning the screw clockwise moves the
chain inward towards the tire/wheel. Counter clockwise moves the chain outward
towards the outside of the tire. Adjust until there is no noise as the chain
goes around the cogs.
3.
Now reconnect the shifter cable so
it is tight like a guitar string. Move the chain to the largest innermost
pulley, #1 gear, lowest speed. Adjust the L screw to line the chain up with the
largest pulley. Again listen for
noise in case your adjustment has the chain too far out or too far in; when
correct it will exhibit no noise.
4.
Now shift back to the 7th gear cog and then move to #6 and
listen for noise. Now you need to adjust the barrel adjuster to make sure the
chain is lined up and there is no noise. This will entail unscrewing the barrel
adjuster or screwing it in tighter to adjust the cable tension. When cable
tension is correct there should be no rubbing or chain noise when shifting from
7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 - 1 and then back up again 1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
Clockwise moves the barrel adjuster outward; counterclockwise moves it inward
towards the gear cogs.
5.
One adjustment left, the B screw, the body angle screw. Select the
lowest gear, largest pulley, gear
1. The B screw sets the distance between the top of the tension pulley and the
bottom of the #1 cassette cog. The
purpose of the B screw is to get the tension pulley close to the cassette cog
but not so close that the pulleys touch each other. Optimal spacing is 5-6 mm
between the tension pulley cog and the #1 cassette cog. See pic above. Turning
the screw clockwise increases the gap and lowers the height of the tension
pulley. Turning the B screw counter clockwise reduces the gap and increases the
height of the tension pulley.
6.
Use a dry spray lubricant for best cable life.
Make sure the drop out hanger is not bent.
If the derailleur or derailleur hanger is bent so it does not
hang straight below a specific gear, take the bike to a local, certified, and
reputable bike mechanic for repair, or contact Rad Power Bikes Product Support
for help.
Prop the bike so the rear wheel can spin freely. Have
a friend hold the bike on the kickstand so the rear wheel is lifted off the
ground.
Click a heading below. Click
on a heading below that best matches the issue you're having and follow the
steps within the section to adjust the derailleur.
The Chain Falls off of the Freewheel
Problem: The derailleur is too close
or too far from the freewheel.
Solution: Adjust the high and low
limit screws.
Adjustment Steps:
Locate and adjust the derailleur limit screws.
Locate the limit screws at the back of the derailleur. The derailleur is marked
with an H (higher limit) or an L (lower limit) near the screws. These are used
to limit the range of the derailleur's movement on the freewheel gears.
If the chain is falling off the smallest cog: Rotate
the cranks forward and shift into 7th gear (the chain should be on the smallest
cog). Use a Phillips head screwdriver to turn the higher
limit screw clockwise to tighten, until the chain on the upper jockey wheel is
aligned directly under the smallest cog.
If the chain is falling off the largest cog: Rotate
the cranks forward and shift into first gear (the chain should
be on the largest cog). Use a Phillips head screwdriver to turn the lower
limit screw clockwise to tighten. This will move the derailleur down the
cassette. Turn until the chain on the upper jockey wheel is aligned directly
underneath the large cog.
Shift between all gears to test the alignment. Rotate
the cranks forward with one hand and shift through the gears at the same time.
Check to see if the derailleur moves the chain to each gear smoothly.
Repeat the adjustment. Adjust
the upper or lower limit screws until the chain no longer falls off the cogs.
If the issue is fixed, reinstall the battery and test the bike
fully.
If the issue continues after adjusting the derailleur,
consult a local, certified, and reputable bike mechanic or contact Rad Power
Bikes Product Support.
Shifting is Noisy or the Chain Jumps Cogs
Problem: The shifter cable tension
may be too tight.
Solution: Add slack to the shifter cable.
Adjustment Steps:
Shift into gear 7. Rotate
the cranks forward and shift into gear 7, which should place the chain on the
smallest cog.
Loosen the barrel adjuster on the derailleur.
Turn the barrel adjuster on the derailleur clockwise, 1/2 to
one full turn, to loosen.
Shift between all gears to test the alignment. Rotate
the cranks forward with one hand and shift through the gears at the same time.
Check to see if the derailleur moves the chain to each gear smoothly.
Repeat the adjustment. Turn
the barrel adjuster clockwise, 1/2 to one full turn at a time, and test the
shifting.
If the issue is fixed, reinstall the battery and test the bike
fully.
If the issue continues after adjusting the derailleur,
consult a local, certified, and reputable bike mechanic or contact Rad Power
Bikes Product Support.
Chain Climbs Cogs Too Slowly
Problem: The shifter cable may be too
loose.
Solution: Add shifter cable tension.
Adjustment Steps:
Shift into gear 7. Rotate
the cranks forward and shift into gear 7, which should place the chain on the
smallest cog.
Tighten the barrel adjuster on the derailleur.
Turn the barrel adjuster on the derailleur counterclockwise 1/2
to one full turn.
Shift between all gears to test the alignment. Rotate
the cranks forward with one hand and shift through the gears at the same time.
Check to see if the derailleur moves the chain to each gear smoothly.
Repeat the adjustment. Turn
the barrel adjuster counterclockwise, 1/2 to one full turn at a time, and test
the shifting. Do not turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise all the way or
the adjuster will come out of the threaded hold.
If the issue is fixed, reinstall the battery and test the bike
fully.
If the issue continues after adjusting the derailleur,
consult a local, certified, and reputable bike mechanic or contact Rad Power
Bikes Product Support.