Gear cables very slack.

[Matt2matt2002]

While checking the Raven over in prep for my end of month tour to Sri Lanka I noticed‘slackness’ in the shifter cables.

Everything works well. Gear shift smoothly – over the whole range 1-14.
(And quietly!)
However I noticed that the cable ends can be pulled out of the shifter by nearly 1cm.
This is most apparent when in gear 1 or 14 and is then either one of the cables.

The rear cables are well connected but there is quite a bit of slackness when in either 1 or 14 gears.

Do I need to adjust anything?
If so, what and how?

The new shifter and cables were fitted by my bike shop back in
November 2014 and I have not noticed this problem until last week when I did a practice run at packing my bike in the box for the plane trip.
I removed the ‘bars and laid them against the top frame bar. This may have put some strain on the cables. I remember thinking I’d need extra padding/ bubble wrap.

I had also removed the front wheel and disconnected the bake cable.

Have I ‘adjusted’ something by turning the bars?
I’ll have to have the bars turned to fit the bike into the box. Any tips on that issue.
I don’t recall having this problem last year when I packed the bike into a box.

Photos show cable movement at gears 1 and 14 – front and rear.

Everything works fine but I want to be well prepared for my trip.
Not too many Rholoff service centres in Sri Lanka!

Thanks in advance folks.

Cable 'out'.


Cable 'in'.


Other cable 'out'.


Other cable'out'.




Other cable 'in'.


Rear cable1


Rear cable2

[mickeg]

I started to reply saying I did not see the photos, but when I went to the reply page the photos appeared.  I do not know why they did not initially appear for me on my computer, I am using FireFox browser.

The cables appear to be so loose that the end of the cable housing can catch on the side of the cable stop instead of seating inside the cable stop at the shifter, I would expect that to cause intermittent problems.

I did not see how much cable adjustment you have at the cable stops at the brake cantilever mounts, but it looked like you have plenty of adjustment in the next to last photo.  I would think you could tighten them up some.

I am not sure how much slack I have in mine, I would guess about 5mm, but my Nomad is in a box right now, I get on a plane later today so I can't check.  I think you want at least about 5mm of slack, if you have them too tight the shifter does not index as well and can stop in between gears.

I did not see anything in the photo that would make me think that taking the bars off caused a cable problem.  Thus, I do not see this as any problem to worry about for your trip.  But, I am not there, so I am guessing on this.  I do all my own work, so something that I think is minor might not be minor to you.

Good luck.

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks Mick
When I first posted the pictures they were not 'open' in Google+

You were quick to reply so saw the post pre ammended

They are OK now.
And thanks for your thoughts - & good luck on your trip.

[Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop]

In gear #7 how much movement of the shifter is there before resistance to change gear is felt, enough to line up with #8 and #6 ?

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks Dave
I've just checked it out again.

I would say the shifter is floppy. I can turn it a cm or more before anything bites and the gear changes.

To turn it does not require any great effort in any of the gears. Although I started in 7 as you suggested and went up and down 1 gear.
The cables look good. Nothing kinked or snagging.

Should I consider taking up the slack somehow?

Matt

[Matt2matt2002]

Just found a picture of how I packed the box before I flew last year.
(Bubble wrapp / foam to be added.)
As you can see, I had a wider box then and managed to turn the bars without removing them,
Last week I took them off and thats when perhaps I moved things?

[Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop]

Sounds like cable stretch that's all, wind each of the adjusters out by the same amount, your looking to end up with enough slack to get half way to the next gear in each direction before resistance is felt.

[Matt2matt2002]

Sounds like cable stretch that's all, wind each of the adjusters out by the same amount, your looking to end up with enough slack to get half way to the next gear in each direction before resistance is felt.

Thanks Dave. I was hoping you would say that.

I'll give it a shot.

One last question.
My bike box is too narrow to turn the bars and slip the bike in.
I will remove the stem/bars and lay it along the top tube.
I'll disconnect the front brake but should I disconnect the gear cables as well?

Many thanks for your advice so far. Sorry if this last question is taking up too much of your time.
When you ship bikes to buyers are the gear cable connected?

Matt

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks again Dave.
That tip did the trick.
Not too tight but the slack has been take up