Adjusting Limit Screws

Understanding Limit Screws:

• All derailleurs have high and low limit screws, controlling lateral movement up and down the cassette between the frame and spokes of your wheel.
• Proper adjustment is crucial to prevent noise, chain failure, and ensure smooth shifting.

High Limit Screw Adjustment:

• Locate the high limit screw labeled "H" for high gear.
• Using a Phillips head screwdriver, tighten the screw to move the derailleur towards the wheel until it aligns with the smallest cog.
• Pedal the bike and shift between the smallest cog (high gear) and second smallest cog (second gear) to ensure smooth shifting between the two.
• While in the smallest cog/highest gear, confirm the derailleur doesn't move further outward toward the frame by pushing the down shift lever again. You should feel tension in the shifter and there shouldn't be further movement of the chain toward the frame.

Low Limit Screw Adjustment:

• For the lowest gear, locate the low limit screw labeled "L". 
• Tightening the low limit screw will move the derailleur slightly outward toward the frame or away from the spokes of the wheel. Loosening the low limit screw will move the derailleur toward the spokes of the wheel and away from the frame.
• Once you've positioned the low limit center with the largest cog, test the position by pedaling the bike and shifting from the easiest (largest cog) to the second easiest gear (second largest cog), adjusting until the chain reaches the highest gear without hesitation from the second highest gear.
• Check the lower limit screw is properly aligned in the easiest gear by pressing the thumb lever to ensure the derailleur doesn't move laterally toward the wheel. This will often cause your chain to come off the largest cog of the cassette.

Fine-Tuning:

• If the chain hesitates or doesn't reach the highest gear smoothly, fine-tune the adjustments.
• Gradually back off the lower limit screw in quarter-turn increments until smooth shifting is achieved.

Verification:

• Confirm that the derailleur aligns properly with the smallest and largest cogs in the cassette.
• Verify smooth shifting between all gears, ensuring the derailleur stays within the set limits.

Success:

• Properly adjusted high and low limit screws lead to successful and quiet shifting during your rides.
• Regularly check and fine-tune these adjustments for optimal performance on the trail.

Further Steps:

• To tune the derailleur in full, check out the Derailleur Adjustment guide.