How to tune your derailleur with basic tools (for beginners)

[@sirus_blue]

I started watching u when i was 7 and because u taught me nearly everything I know i have a better chance of getting my dream job (bike mechanic) when i was 12 i got a apprenticeship and it's all cause of u thank u

[@why4100]

same here bro lol

[@HunteroftheNorth]

Well he just helped with good videos... You did the work. So it's also because of you

[@bigjai]

I’ll take “things I’m super proud of” for 1000 Alex. Awesome dude, I wish you many successes in your life

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Great way to ensure living with your parents. Thankfully I have a great relationship with mine😂

[@Gk22632]

How much does the average bike mechanic make

[@amazinf4344]

Hey Seth, I’m a home mechanic bike flipper that’s started about a year ago. I came to know you very early on in the journey and you helped me a ton. Not only did you introduce me to more services, but you also taught me about trails and events and parts. I just wanted to thank you because without your videos, I don’t think I would be anywhere near where I am today.

[@davidmoore4767]

I tried the water drop test in my dark blue coffee mug and still it floated! Easy.

[@bkmontgomery]

I’ve watched a ton of KZbin and read several books on bike maintenance and I really appreciate the simple approach you took here. I’m sure plenty of others will too 👍 Well done.

[@milesnathanharmony9992]

I wish this tutorial existed seven years ago. This is the best explanation of derailleur adjustments that would have saved me hours apon hours of self learning headache and heartache.

[@tannerbittinger8608]

As a college student who doesn't get to spend a lot of time riding my Trek full suspension like it's actually a trail bike, I really appreciate this. Thank you Seth, with this video college kids like me can avoid a trip to a bike shop (and an unfortunate amount of money down the drain) just enough to keep commuting until I can go out on trails again. Your videos are 100% of the reason why I still love learning about bikes and riding as much as I can!

[@AmPPuZ]

Seth you are incredibly good at explaining bike mechanics. Other videos often assume you already know a bunch and skip many explaining steps, leaving the viewer lost and confused.

[@dustbuster420]

Lost and confused i think is normal state when not riding bikes.

[@Caterpillar1967]

The easiest derailleur tutorial to understand on all youtube! Everything is crystal clear. Thank you Seth!

[@vickiignaszak5041]

As much as I love and appreciate the park tool video tutorials, I've watched their video on derailer adjustment countless times and for some reason it might as well be in a foreign language to me because I get lost and confused about what each adjustment does. You managed to explain it in a way where I no longer feel afraid to touch my derailer and try to fine tune my shifting. Thanks Seth!

[@calmprn7165]

Exactly that

[@churchkidpod]

Please do more videos like this! Suspension setup, mysterious creaks, brake bleeds, etc - all would be valuable additions to such a series! Your super-accessible approach to bike maintenance and repair is just what “a friend” needs! And I’m sure I’m not the only one who has such “a friend”. 😉

[@danielkramar1868]

I second this comment... like, how do I fix brake pads rubbing on the rim? I've tinkered with adjustments but can't quite get the clearance I'm looking for.

[@carsonchambers5617]

@@danielkramar1868 Rim or discs?

[@gloamingtime]

Big fan of being entertained AND educated. I would love more of this kind of stuff for sure.

[@-IE_it_yourself]

as a friend, your comment sounds like it was written by a bot.

[@blaze1148]

@@-IE_it_yourself as a friend 😆

[@andrewchanis8082]

I've been 'seriously' riding for more than 30 years, but derailleurs were always a bit of black art. But today, I was able to adjust my 5-year old daughter's derailleur so we could go on our first bike ride together. Thanks for the guidance and straight forward, plain speaking (but still humorous and entertaining) take on biking. God bless!

[@wolfoffroad]

My 11 yr old just watched this, went to the shed and put his bike on the stand. Cheers mate. :)

[@theradicalof1764]

I've been biking for years and and have always loved it. This channel has really gotten me back into it and the Ozark Trail was a huge help. I wandered into a bike shop and the cheapest adult bike they wanted to sell me was 900$'s a wile back. I love the Ozark already upgrading it as I go. I have also gotten my wife into biking and I adore you for putting out these videos. She feels so much more confident about what she's doing even riding having this knowledge which took me years to build up: you provide it in a few min. Can't thank you enough.

[@MichaelRei99]

I think its great that you are so inviting to all potential mountain bikers! Some enthusiasts tend to be snobby like they are some special elite class. We should be welcoming to all and realize everyone has to start at the beginning some time!! Thanks for this informative video Seth!!

[@playforplayforplay]

I've watched 7million videos on derraileurs, every time I ride I arrive home with alignment issues, every time I try, I end up at the shop paying for a 3 sec process, this video is amazing and helped me finally understand wtf is going on and how to deal with it!! Thank you so muuuuch

[@sammcalilly107]

best "how to tune your derailleur" video i've watched so far, while watching tons of youtube videos trying to learn how to fix a derailleur. loved the recap with the bike at the end, after you had shown us everything on the first bike. asking me questions, making me think!!! dunno if you intentionally followed the "i do, we do, you do" teaching model but it felt kinda like that

[@massterrbarber]

I just wanna say thank you for making the video because I got a derailer seven speed. I never really paid attention to it never knew nothing about it. Really just that is shifts. That’s all brother. I learned something today so if I was to ever have any situation I could either go back to your video or remember what to do and what to look for thank you.

[@alldecentnamestaken]

This is literally the best explanation of how to fix and tune your shifting I've ever seen. Well done Seth.

[@anthonyzarate0827]

I can’t believe how long it took me to just find a guy who just teaches what the parts are called first before screwing around with the thing! 👌👍

[@HARA999_]

Ive only ridden and worked on bmx and dirt jump bikes so building an enduro bike and having to get a "real" drivetrain to work was a challenge indeed, Im glad I could go back to this for some tips

[@ericnorton4045]

I'm learning so much from Been Peak I feel like I should be paying tuition lol. I have redeveloped a passion for bikes 4 years ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and MTB and cycling has saved my life along with help from the good Lord. Ordering.my.firstmbike stand today thanks for the video

[@andrew_gardner]

Lots of "entry level" MTBs still come with 2x, or even 3x, drivetrains. Could you make another video like this for front derailleur troubleshooting to help those people? This is great info for those that aren't very mechanically inclined!

[@IOUaUsername]

To troubleshoot a front derailleur: Step 1: save up your pocket money Step 2: buy a skinny/wide chainring and a bigger range cassette to convert to 1x. Just kidding. Even high end XC bikes still run front derailleurs because 12 speeds isn't enough over such a range of speeds and such long distances.

[@andrew_gardner]

@@IOUaUsername I actually had typed out that I would just remove a 2x and install 1xm but removed it haha both my bikes are 1x

[@apodski]

7,8,9 speed also come with significantly cheaper and durable chains so, you can spend less time messing with this stuff. Just buy new chains for $12. Or, have a spare chain and soak one in kerosene for thorough cleaning to maximize life. If you don't run worn chains, cassettes and chain rings will last almost indefinitely.

[@beerenmusli8220]

@@apodski Regular cleaning is most often enough, solvents on the chain are only needed when resinous substances are on the chain

[@apodski]

@@beerenmusli8220 Yeah, but it's generally easier and more efficient to just dunk the thing in a coffee can of kerosene, soak for awhile and go over it with a tooth brush. No splatter, no fancy brush. Kerosene is pretty non-toxic. Plus you can reuse the kerosene many times, then use it to light a bonfire. No waste, no nasties down the drain. It depends on where you ride, sandy soil or limstone trails, the chain definitely benefits from full solvent dunk, as it gets out most of the accumulated grit and grim out of the inside of chain rollers. Where all the harmful wear occurs, that you can't actually see.

[@troycorrado]

Hey I can honestly say I've been a BX bike rider 4 years never liked the mountain bike until I moved to the city I do like taking public transportation but I started getting into the mountain bikes got a Gary Fisher Big Sur I've got a rascal 7 in a couple more go to videos over and over and over again how to fix derailleurs and I can honestly say that this is the best video to explain I need to get it done thank you RuKus

[@rockmathias1848]

I’ve been riding for many years, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Canada, USA. I definitely learned from this video. Thanks so much for creating and posting it!

[@TheMogulman31]

The process you described for adjusting the B tension is actually a great example of scientific method. Thanks for this video best description of how to adjust a derailleur I have seen.

[@unchartedpath6140]

Big fan of the simple approach to bike maintenance! Please feel free to make more of these videos (perhaps a post-ride check for beginners, or even when to know to replace a part, etc). Thank you Seth!

[@jrludwig1]

Great video for someone who wants to start tuning their own bike. I'll be sharing it myself. I still think chain checkers are cheap and easy enough to use, that I'd recommend anyone that is interested in tuning their own bike buy one.

[@ActvNva]

I've been working on bikes a long time and I still enjoyed this video because you broke it down easily and efficiently. The one common problem that you left out is gummed up housing. I find that one all the time. Love your channel.

[@NathanielGonzalez7]

THANK YOU!!! I'm a newbie and just got a new bike for my birthday. The bike my wife got me was making some odd noise and I was able to narrow it down to the derailer. By far, your video was the most helpful in determining how to fix it! Thank you again!

[@Cortaxify]

As someone who used to bicycle to high school 20 years ago and at the end of last summer got my bike as I had just transferred to a job within biking distance, my old bike was just a 3 gears on that old long gone bike which I never remember having to service much at all and with my new bike having a few more gears is enough for me. So when I ran into this clicking sound to work and problems to get to my highest gear on the way home from work with is 11km in each direction I tried several videos here on youtube to figure out how solve it but while they introduced me to the same screws to change derailer settings as your video none gave much if any explanation of what each did so think I made more of a mess trying to fix things. Your video gave clear tips, explanations on what problems one could have, what to do and what each part did which was very enlightening that I actually think I can solve the mess I made when its clear all I should initially have done was just to fasten the tension on the cable a bit. So just wanted to thank you and say that Im glad I ran into this video to use as a novice guide how to solve things. Thanks and have a good summer A Scandinavian novice biker ;)

[@jyork14]

What an absolute gift of a video. I looked for this video for hours last week. And you made it all make sense in 12 minutes. Thank you sir!

[@williamreinhard]

Adjusting my derailleur is one of those things that I do rarely enough that I have to look up how to do it every time. Glad to have this video to look back on as reference.

[@alexball5907]

Excellent. I'll share this with some friends. A simple tip I learnt was that if the derailleur won't shift up the block (towards low gears) turn the barrel adjuster in that direction. If it's over shifting and won't shift towards the higher (smaller) gears, then turn the barrel adjuster that way.

[@DR_1_1]

Mine only goes to the smallest gear after 2 or 3 clicks, even if the higher limit screw is too open, and the barrel adjuster doesn't seem to change anything (it's on the derailleur btw, not on the shifter) except unwanted gear changes when restarting the bike sometime...

[@johnlopez4089]

This video is the best and hit me at the perfect time because I had my chain jump my low gear three times today and get wedged between my spokes a chain ring. now I know how to fix it. THANK YOU!!!

[@Mare381]

Hey Seth im living in Germany started watching you before berm creek and you thought me every trick I know now I work at the bike shop and still pass your skills that you showed us on KZbin to other mechanics love you videos 🥇

[@beerenmusli8220]

I started watching Seth's videos barely before his move to the Berm Hill, but otherwise its the same story for me :D Greetings from Hessia

[@stateofdecay2210]

No wonder how you can afford really expensive bikes aside of what you doing, your KZbin videos are just a simplification marvels 😁👍 I'm watching your videos recently and I'm gonna buy a mountain bike because of it, you just make everything so simple and so awesome that it's just pleasant, thank you 😁👍

[@taylor8109]

Great vid even for someone who is experienced. One additional tip. B tension on full suspension bikes should be set with the rider on the bike with the shock unlocked, and ideally at their riding weight.

[@tanjacederholm7678]

True! We do often fail to recreate certain issues with the bikes at work, just because some times the owner is twice the size of us.

[@ianswopeexhibits5289]

Good point, but I think that my be beyond the scope of this video.

[@schlass265]

This is a very entertaining and fun video about a topic that might be considered mystical by some. I would however add that before replacing a hanger, cable and housing are much cheaper and usually, a more common culprit of messy shifting. Try that first, if you still aren't able to tune it properly, consider a hanger. Also, derailleur alignment gauges, while pricey, aren't that much. Depending on where you get your hangers, could be worth between 3 or 4. And with bicycle repair, check for compatibility as much as you can when buying parts!

[@victorvannatter312]

I can’t believe people don’t get the water test. Lol. On a serious note, this is the best video I’ve seen on this.

[@dolittle6781]

Love it, clear, to the point, well organized, personable content creator, just the kind of instruction video that we can learn from.

[@Milkshakes-Den]

I live in a country with very few bike shops or maintenance shops so I have been learning to fix up my own bikes. Love your content and I love how so much of it is helpful. A bike stand is incredibly helpful and they aren’t too difficult to make yourself. I made one with my dad consisting of 2 long base legs with a shaft on top and a simple stopper for he seat to rest on. 👍

[@brandonthompson13]

Fixing to get my first bike at 39 years old. This is absolutely interesting to me and I will probably reference this in the near future to tune my Ozark Trail Ridge that I will be getting. Thank you! And keep the beginner stuff coming!!!

[@Vastafari34]

YESSSS I LOVE when you talk about stuff that seems basic, but really most people don't know. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

[@jammerb6564]

Had to subscribe. Just bought me a new bike since I'm now retired and want to learn to do my own work and be able to diagnose my problems and repair when they arise. You are fantastic and please keep it up for this rookie. P.S. Just purchased my first ever bike helmet, so now I just need to get over what I might look like out there. LOL TY

[@JACKxTHExRIPPER]

Awesome video. Love how you went over the anatomy at the start. I’ve got a bike I haven’t really used in well over 15-18 years, but now my 3 year old daughter wants me to ride with her so it’s definitely in need of a tune up and now I can check it out myself!

[@RobertWalker-b2c]

Excellent concise tutorial on bike shifting. I've seen many of these types of videos and this is one of the best explanations I've seen

[@BgRdDg40]

This is the most understandable video I've ever seen on drivetrain issues and how to fix them

[@tillman5529]

This is a great resource to share with someone to help them demystify shifting problems. I wish I had this when I started trying to maintain my bike during high school. One thing I noticed back then after a long evening of trying to get perfect shifting: Although in the end the drivetrain still made some little unusual sounds with the bike upside down, once back on its tires it shifted fine. For those of us being too close to OCD regarding to drivetrain noises: gravity has a tiny effect on where exactly the chain moves along. What ultimately counts is the sound and shifting performance during a short test ride. Also, a slighty damaged tooth, a slightly bent chainring or an incorrectly installed chain link can cause ticking noises without really hurting shifting performance. (Of course, an incorrectly installed chain link should definitely get corrected. Chain breaking under load is not fun).

[@Zaque-TV]

True. I need to get a stand to work on it right side up.

[@jonbartel9375]

As someone who is just getting into trying to maintain my own bike, this was super helpful!

[@Dominique187]

seriously I watched several videos to adjust my derailleur and this video is one of the best explained I've watched..good job !!🤟

[@oscardoesthings8974]

simple solution to a common problem. youve been my biggest inspiration for my own mtb channel. i couldnt be more thankful for you and your channel. dont ever stop man.

[@KevinBein]

This was an extremely helpful video! I have been mountain biking for years and I still picked up a few tips! I would love to see more tutorials like this breaking down maintenance and tuning for things that more experienced mountain bikers probably just take for granted.

[@tannerkirk9798]

This is by far the BEST tutorial video I’ve ever watched regarding how to tune a derailleur. Thank you Seth!

[@kaotic.11]

This is literally perfect timing I just noticed a a couple issues you mentioned and I just fixed them thanks Seth

[@tylervickers4525]

I wish I had seen this when I was learning. Now I work at a bike shop, and I'm really good at it.

[@Exstaz]

This is by far the best video. I struggled with some of the issue and this one explained the fixes so good. This is the only video you need.

[@K9malinois_dog_love]

I’d been using the water cup trick for over 6 years it works every time.

[@sihatch670]

Seth rocks. A great video that should be an annual video in rotation for people to watch that cycle.

[@Kuges225]

This is crazy because me and my friend had to figure this out. When we were about to load up we test rode our bikes to make sure everything was set....well it wasn't and the problem was fixable, but took an hour of figuring out. If we had this video the other day then it would've been awesome. Now we are gonna use this video to correctly fix our bikes. Thanks sm.

[@benblank609]

The B screw! I knew there was an adjustment for that. That's what I need on my daughter's bike. Got thru the limits, but nothing ever pointed out the b screw.

[@gianniferrara6610]

dude ur such a good youtuber. I knew everything in this video just from my years working at the bike park, but man I still enjoyed the entire video. did not feel like 12 minutes.

[@markpeterson8978]

Well Good Seth! That was a wonderful break-down of shifting assessment, management and repair of things in a way that the average person can digest. . . But I have a point of contention "because the chain's pitch grows in length as it wears. This is the most important type of chain wear, and the growth comes from the bushings wearing with the chain pins. Over time, the inner diameter of these bushings increases and the pins groove out." So I have yet to see actual evidence of a chain increasing in length. I am not saying it is impossible, I could be wrong. I have seen chains that no longer interact with the chainring and cassette in a functional way due to the worn out bushings wearing. I respectful submit this comment because I know you know what you are talking about and really enjoy this channels content. And I know this segment was aimed at a novice. You Rock & Roll Seth. Much respect Sir! (P.s. I am a life long bike enthusiast & bicycle mechanic, Pronghorn bicycle, in Syracuse Utah, to be specific.) - M

[@walter.bellini]

First time watching your video I have learn a lot from this video, and you teach it in the way that I need to see it and hear it, now a subscriber

[@iKnowHow2Bucky]

This was honestly super helpful. I'm learning my way around the bike more and more these days but the derailleur always seemed so scary to fix. This helps!

[@dapropriate]

Thank you! I was able to get my bike shifting better than it has in years. I always just figured i could never use my first gear. I set all the tensions and screws correctly, and now i have my full range accessible again. I can't tell ya how stoked i am!

[@thejoshthat]

17 seconds in and I've already learned so much! Thank you! 40 yo and just getting into biking, this is gonna be good, I can tell already!

[@doubledoot]

Hey seth, just recently got into mountain biking because I saw a couple of your videos and got hooked. Your videos not only make it very easy for me to digest more complicated aspects of mtb, but are just fun plain fun to watch. It's very clear you put a lot of care and thought into your videos, and you're great at not trying to drill a black-and-white right way of doing things into people which I appreciate. Keep up the good work 👍

[@ddahstan6876]

I gotta say that not only you're so great at explaining 'sheety stuff', you make the video a lot more enjoyable having it in the outdoor atmosphere 🎉. Awesome tips, especially the hanger in water! 😅😂

[@Andresapal]

I learned specific terminology / anatomy😅 Barrel adjuster: ajustador de cambios Cage: pata del tensor Limit screws: tornillos de alta o de baja B screw: tornillo de tensor 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@icon0clast274]

I know how to do all this but i still watch because there is always a little nugget. Plus Seth is awesome

[@kaedekarma2736]

as someone who already knmew all of this all i can say is "what a great video", this is so clear and begginner friendly

[@Lord_Sneetus]

So many problems solved in one video... many thanks!

[@DaOneJoel]

Gonna share this to so many friends that constantly bother me wanting me to fix their drivetrains. Cheers!

[@ea214]

Probably one of the better shifting fix videos out there.

[@BenNawrath]

Great video! I'm an engineer (live on Long Island by the way...) and I still find it hard to keep all this straight. I think mainly because I go ears between instances when I need to know it! So this kind of video is useful for more than just beginners.

[@harrygrimley4352]

Great tips. Thanks for sharing this with us. Love the float test. Tried it on a defective house key and it works. 😅

[@benpc1794]

This is probably your best video for a while Seth! Very informative without being "too much". Bravo sir!

[@miloontheready7814]

I really want to thank you for putting this video out. I have a new bike that is shifting poorly, and must admit I was going to take it to a shop and have them work on it. You have given me enough knowledge that I will try to work on it myself, leaving a shop as a last option. I now know what to look for, and am sure that I will be able to resolve my shifting issues.

[@FishSticks6]

This was the best derailleur guide I’ve ever seen. Thanks Seth!

[@mrsaucy1112]

as someone whos been putting off adjusting their derailleur for several weeks, thank you.

[@grskier]

The other thing I find sometimes with the newer 12S drivetrains is that if you have a chain in need of a clean and a lube it can try to climb a bit and clunk back down. So I tend to start with a good cleaning and lube. Then pretty much the same process! Nice video.

[@alhypo]

This is all good advice. By no means would I consider myself a bike mechanic but I am oddly good at dialing in my shifting. I chuckle to myself every time I help out my buddy with his drive train because he basically thinks it's magic. The only thing I would add here is to also eyeball your jockey cage to see if it is bent. But I agree that if you're unsure, it's best to replace the hanger first. Then consider the jockey cage if it doesn't help. You'll probably have a hard time finding both sides of the jockey cage and end up just buying a new derailleur.

[@whyyamad]

This was like derailleur adjustments for dummies and i for one appreciated it 😂. As a car guy who’s not afraid to cut a truck in half and weld it back together it’s sad that mtb derailleurs seemed like another language to me. But this does actually give me a better idea of what I’m doing with it.

[@zahr23112]

The alignment gauge was the first bike tool I bought a few years ago. Used it so many times and it ends up being cheaper than hangars (or getting a shop to do it) in the long run. I highly recommend anyone who wants to do DIY bike maintenance to get one.

[@pvic6959]

Seth. o have a 10+ year old bike. it was a gift from grandma and its my main and only bike. it holds a lot of sentimental value. the chain shifting has ALWAYS been a problem but maybe now i know enough to try and fix it!! thanks!! I knew some of this but not all of it!

[@planesareneat]

You're entertaining AF. I'm not even a serious rider, but I watch your vids a lot.

[@sleo8987]

Seth is one of the only people who doesn’t make biking feel snobby

[@mrgoatbeard]

Now that I am understanding a bit more and did my first tubeless on the new GT, I rewatched this and have the gears changing pretty smooth now thanks. I feel so new after stopping rock climbing I slapped my head when you just flipped the bike over.

[@samblenkharn8099]

Cool video. KZbin is such a boon for anyone wanting to learn skills. I could have really benefitted from videos like this back in the nineties/noughties when I was thrashing my cheap mountain bike round the woods without a clue how to do more than fix a puncture.

[@BeshKalo]

I bought a bike repair stand a while back. One of the best purchases I ever did for my bike!

[@dustingreen9075]

I've ridden for years. I hate messing with my derailleur and have the worst sense of what adjustments are necessary. This was very helpful.

[@Marco-vp8wl]

Great video! An important info that should be in it imo: if you tune the shifting on a new bike, it's normal to have to adjust the cable tention again after the first few rides, since the cable stretches.

[@sbccbc7471]

To save that effort, I always pre-stretch new cables and housings during installation.

[@marinoopen]

Thanks!

[@KrzysztofJarzębiński-l2k]

I always do the sink test when for my fixie bike and it always shifts silently and noiselessly afterwards. Thank you Seth for this tip.

[@happygilmore8259]

This video is SO GOOD! Best I've seen thus far for explaining my drive train. Thank you!

[@sokoloft3]

Right to the point. Thank you. Been struggling with my fb marketplace special 2014 trek popping out of gear. I found the barrel on the de-railer today and tightened it. Before watching this. You confirmed my suspicions. I'll see more tomorrow on the trail. Answered a lot of my other questions too. Thank you.

[@lerogers33]

Very helpful video! I purchased a new hardtail from a top brand rencelty and about two weeks into riding the bike regularly the gears started skipping. Now I know how to fix it. Thanks!

[@i3DPrintModels]

This video came out just in time. I was looking for how to tune a derailleur and Seth comes out with a video on how to do it a few days later.

[@brucewarren5248]

I know most of what you were explaining, but enjoyed it. I especially like the float test. It applies to many things, including a lot of electronics.

[@DannyBoysCovers]

Dude congrats on 1 million subs, been keeping up with your content for many years, i have learned a lot from you and we all have much more to learn.