Shimano RD-M970 Service Instructions

General Safety Information
WARNING
• Use neutral detergent to clean the chain. Do not use alkali-based or acid based
detergent such as rust cleaners as it may result in damage and/or failure of the
chain.
• Use the reinforced connecting pin only for connecting the narrow type of chain.
• There are two different types of reinforced connecting pins available. Be sure to
check the table below before selecting which pin to use. If connecting pins other
than reinforced connecting pins are used, or if a reinforced connecting pin or tool
which is not suitable for the type of chain is used, sufficient connection force may
not be obtained, which could cause the chain to break or fall off.
Reinforced
Chain Chain tool
connecting pin
9-speed super narrow
chain such as TL-CN32 / TL-CN23
Silver
CN-7701 / CN-HG93
6.5mm
8- / 7- / 6-speed narrow
chain such as TL-CN32 / TL-CN23
Black
CN-HG50 / CN-IG51
7.1mm
• If it is necessary to adjust the length of the chain
Reinforced Connecting Pin
due to a change in the number of sprocket teeth,
make the cut at some other place than the place
where the chain has been joined using a reinforced
connecting pin or an end pin. The chain will be
End Pin
damaged if it is cut at a place where it has been
joined with a reinforced connecting pin or an end pin.
• Check that the tension of the chain is correct and that the chain is not damaged. If
the tension is too weak or the chain is damaged, the chain should be replaced. If
this is not done, the chain may break and cause serious injury.
• Obtain and read the service instructions carefully prior to installing the parts.
Loose, worn, or damaged parts may cause injury to the rider. We strongly
recommend only using genuine Shimano replacement parts.
• Read these Technical Service Instructions carefully, and keep them in a safe place
for later reference.
Note
• If gear shifting operations do not feel smooth, wash the derailleur and lubricate all
moving parts.
• If the amount of looseness in the links is so great that adjustment is not possible,
you should replace the derailleur.
• You should periodically clean the derailleur and lubricate all moving parts
(mechanism and pulleys).
• If gear shifting adjustment cannot be carried out, check the degree of parallelism at
the rear end of the bicycle. Also check if the cable is lubricated and if the outer
casing is too long or too short.
• If you hear abnormal noise as a result of looseness in a pulley, you should replace
the pulley.
• If the chain keeps coming off the sprockets during use, replace the sprockets and
the chain.
• Adjust the RD-M970 reverse spring type rear derailleur from the low side.
• Use a frame with internal cable routing is strongly discouraged as it has tendencies
to impair the SIS shifting function due to its high cable resistance.
• Always be sure to use the sprocket set bearing the same
Group marks
group marks. Never use in combination with a sprocket
bearing a different group mark.
• Use an outer casing which still has some length to spare even
when the handlebars are turned all the way to both sides.
Furthermore, check that the shifting lever does not touch the
bicycle frame when the handlebars are turned all the way.
• Make sure that the gear shifting cable and the brake cable do
not obstruct each other during braking operations. If they do
obstruct, it may interfere with braking.
Install the cables so that they still have some slack in them even when the
handlebars are turned fully in either direction.
• A special grease is used for the gear shifting cable (SIS-SP41). Do not use DURA-
ACE grease or other types of grease, otherwise they may cause deterioration in
gear shifting performance.
• Grease the inner cable and the inside of the outer casing before use to ensure that
they slide properly.
• For smooth operation, use the specified outer casing and the bottom bracket cable
guide.
• Operation of the levers related to gear shifting should be made only when the front
chainwheel is turning.
• Parts are not guaranteed against natural wear or deterioration resulting from
normal use.
• For maximum performance we highly recommend Shimano lubricants and
maintenance products
• For any questions regarding methods of installation, adjustment, maintenance or
operation, please contact a professional bicycle dealer.
Technical Service Instructions
RD-M970
Rear derailleur
In order to realize the best performance, we recommend
that the following combination be used.
Series XTR
DUAL CONTROL lever ST-M975
Outer casing SIS-SP41
Rear derailleur RD-M970
Type SGS / GS
Freehub FH-M975 / FH-M970
Gears 9
Cassette sprocket CS-M970
Chain CN-7701
Bottom bracket guide SM-SP17 / SM-BT17
These Service Instructions describe the operation method when using the ST-M975 DUAL CONTROL lever in combination with the RD-
M970 reverse spring-type rear derailleur. If using in combination with the RD-M971 top normal-type derailleur, the operations will be
reversed.
Operating the levers
I Operating the brake I Gear shifting operation
Link Pin
lever
The INSTANT RELEASE
mechanism makes fast gear
shifting possible because
cable tension is released
immediately when either the
main lever or the secondary
release lever is depressed.
The levers are also equipped
with a MULTI RELEASE
mechanism so that you can
now shift two gears with a
single operation.
Adjusting the grip width
It is recommended that you adjust the grip widths of the levers to
the most comfortable widths for gear shifting and braking.
Becomes
narrower
Becomes wider
2 mm Allen key
Installation of the rear derailleur
When installing, be careful not to let the B-tension adjustment screw
come into contact with the dropout tab, otherwise deformation may result.
Do not remove the Pro-Set alignment block at this time.
Bracket spindle Tightening torque :
8 - 10 N·m {70 - 86 in. lbs.}
Chain length on bicycles with rear suspension
The length of A will vary depending on the movement of the
rear suspension. Because of this, an excessive load may be
placed on the drive system if the chain length is too short. Set
the length of the chain by adding two links to the chain when
the rear suspension is at a position where dimension "A" is
longest and the chain is on the largest sprocket and the largest
chainring. If the amount of movement of the rear suspension is
large, the slack in the chain may not be taken up properly when
SI-5VW0A
the chain is on the smallest chainring and smallest sprocket.
Specifications
Rear Derailleur
Model number RD-M970
Type SGS
Gears 9
Total capacity 43T
Largest sprocket 34T
Smallest sprocket 11T
Front chainwheel tooth difference 22T
The lever always returns to the initial position when it is released
after shifting. When operating the lever, always be sure to turn the
crank arm at the same time.
To shift from a large sprocket to a smaller sprocket
You can vary the lever stroke to shift the desired number of gears,
so that to shift by one gear only, move the lever to the (1) position,
and to shift by two gears at one time, move the lever to the (2)
position. A maximum two-gear shift can be made in this manner.
Lever initial position
To shift from a small sprocket to a larger sprocket
(MULTI RELEASE )
You can vary the lever stroke to shift the desired number of gears,
1st joint
so that to shift by one gear only, move the lever to the (1) position,
Approx. and to shift by two gears at one time, move the lever to the (2)
2 mm
position. A maximum two-gear shift can be made in this manner.
Lever end
Lever initial position
Auxiliary release lever
5 mm Allen key
B-tension
adjustment screw
Dropout tab
A'
Chain
Largest
sprocket
A
Add 2 links (with the chain on both the largest
sprocket and the largest chainring)
Installation of the lever
4 mm Allen key
Use a handlebar grip with a maximum
outer diameter of 32 mm.
GS
Tightening torque :
6 - 8 N·m {53 - 69 in. lbs.}
9
In the case of carbon handlebars, it may be
33T
necessary to lower the tightening torque in
34T
order to prevent damage to the handlebar.
11T Please consult the bicycle or handlebar
manufacturer regarding the appropriate
22T
level of tightening torque for carbon
handlebars.
SIS Adjustment
Installation of the chain
Install the chain with the Pro-Set
alignment block still attached.
After installing, remove the Pro-Set
alignment block.
Turn the crank arm to set the
derailleur to the low position.
Pro-Set alignment block
1. Low adjustment
Turn the low adjustment screw so that the guide pulley moves to
a position directly in line with
the largest sprocket.
Largest
sprocket
Low adjustment
Guide pulley
2. Top adjustment
Turn the crank arm while pulling the derailleur with your hand to
move the derailleur to the top position, and then turn the top
adjustment screw to adjust so
Outer line of
that the guide pulley is in line smallest sprocket
with the outer line of the
smallest sprocket when looking
from the rear.
Turn the crank arm to set the
derailleur to the low position.
Top adjustment
Guide pulley
3. Connecting and securing the inner cable
Operate the lever eight times or more
to set the lever to the lowest position.
Then remove the inner hole cover and
connect the inner cable.
Inner hole cover
Inner cable
Inner hole cover
Install the inner hole cover by turning it as
shown in the illustration until it stops. Do not
turn it any further than this, otherwise it may
damage the thread on the cover.
Tightening torque :
0.3 - 0.5 N·m {3 - 4 in. lbs.}
Connect the inner cable to
Note: Be sure that the cable is
the derailleur as shown in
securely in the groove.
the illustration.
Groove
Largest
chainring
Connect the cable to the rear derailleur and,
after taking up the initial slack in the cable,
re-secure to the rear derailleur as shown in
the illustration. Pull
Tightening torque :
5 - 7 N·m {44 - 60 in. lbs.}
Cutting the outer casing
When cutting the outer casing, cut the opposite end to the end
with the marking. After cutting the outer
casing, make the end round so that the
inside of the hole has a uniform diameter.
Attach the same outer
end cap to the cut end
Outer end cap
of the outer casing.
The sealed cap with
Be careful not to bend
tongue and the rubber
Rubber shield
shield should be
installed to the outer
Sealed cap with tongue
casing stopper of the
Rubber shield
frame.
* If the rear derailleur moves to a large degree, such as in
bicycles with rear suspension, it is recommended that you
replace the cap with the
accessory aluminum cap.
Derailleur side
The end of the outer casing
which has the aluminum cap
Aluminum cap
should be at the derailleur side.
4. How to use the B-tension adjustment screw
Mount the chain on the smallest chainring and the largest
sprocket, and turn the crank arm backward. Then turn the
B-tension adjustment screw to adjust the guide pulley as close to
the sprocket as possible but
Largest sprocket Smallest sprocket
not so close that it touches.
Next, set the chain to the
smallest sprocket and
repeat the above to make
sure that the pulley does
not touch the sprocket.
screw
B-tension
adjustment screw
5. SIS Adjustment
Push lever while turning the crank arm to move the derailleur to
the largest sprocket. Then operate lever once to move the
derailleur to the 2nd-gear sprocket. After this, operate lever just
as far as the extent of play, and then turn the crank arm.
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When changing When no
to 3rd noise is
heard at all
screw
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Adjustment bolt Adjustment bolt
Turn the cable adjustment bolt Turn the cable adjustment bolt
clockwise to tighten it until the counterclockwise to loosen it until
chain returns to the 2nd sprocket. the chain touches a sprocket and
generates noise.
* Turn the adjustment bolt together
with the outer casing adjustment
* Turn the adjustment bolt together with
barrel cover. the outer casing adjustment barrel
cover.
Best setting
The best setting is when the cable adjustment bolt is tightened
(turned clockwise) until noise occurs without lever being
operated, and then loosened (turned counterclockwise) 90 - 180
degrees from that point.
Operate lever to change gears, and check that no noise occurs
in any of the gear positions.
For the best SIS performance, periodically lubricate all
power-transmission parts.
This service instruction explains how to use and maintain the
Shimano bicycle parts which have been used on your new bicycle.
For any questions regarding your bicycle or other matters which
are not related to Shimano parts, please contact the place of
purchase or the bicycle manufacturer.
These service instructions are
printed on recycled paper.
One Holland, Irvine, California 92618, U.S.A. Phone: +1-949-951-5003
Industrieweg 24, 8071 CT Nunspeet, The Netherlands Phone: +31-341-272222
3-77 Oimatsu-cho Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka 590-8577, Japan
Please note: specifications are subject to change for improvement without notice. (English)
© Jul. 2006 by Shimano Inc. XBC SZK Printed in Japan.
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