Chapter. 8 Drive Train And Shifting System - MARIN Owner's Manual

C H A P T E R 8
D R I V E T R A I N A N D
S H I F T I N G S Y S T E M
OVERVIEW OF THE SHIFTING SYSTEM:
The shifting system consists of the components that allow you to shift
gears: the front and rear derailleurs, the shift levers, the shift cables and
the chain. Both front and rear derailleurs are spring-loaded. The spring
pushes the derailleur cage to the smallest gear while the derailleur
cable pulls the cage to the largest gear. When you push the right shift
lever closest to you forward, the rear derailleur shifts the chain from a
smaller to a larger cog. When you pull the smaller right lever in front
of the handlebars back, it shifts the chain from a larger to a smaller cog.
Shimano XTR and Nexage model components offer shifting that has
the same function but moves the derailleurs in the opposite direction
of standard.
SHIFTING SYSTEM OVERVIEW
FRONT DERAILLEUR
SHIFTER ASSEMBLY
Derailleur Cable
Adjusting Barrel
REAR DERAILLEUR
Derailleur Cable
Adjusting Barrel
25
Shift gears only when pedaling forward: never attempt to shift gears
when the bicycle is stationary or while moving backwards. Don't force
the gear levers. The chain should move easily between chain rings or
adjustment is required. It's a good idea to practicing shifting in a flat,
safe area in order to get the feel for your Marin bicycle.
Warning: While you can make adjustments to your
Marin's shifting system yourself, major maintenance and
repairs should be performed only by a professional
mechanic. Replacing the cable and chain and other
major maintenance activities are beyond the scope of
this manual. If, after you have done adjustments yourself,
you continue to experience difficulties with your shift-
ing system, take it to your dealer before you ride.
Never lay your bicycle on its right side as this can damage the
derailleurs.
NEED FOR DRIVE TRAIN ADJUSTMENT:
The derailleur cables stretch with use and occasional adjustments will
be necessary to ensure accurate and easy shifting. If you experience
sluggish or difficult shifting, if you hear a rubbing or grinding noise
when you shift or if the chain rubs any part of the bicycle or falls off
during or after a shift, you'll need to adjust the derailleurs. The rear
derailleur should be checked and adjusted first since the front derailleur
can't be aligned if the rear derailleur is not adjusted properly.
You can perform fine-tuning adjustments to the shift cables by using
the cable adjusting barrel on the shift levers. (In addition, the rear
derailleur has a cable adjusting barrel.) Major adjustments require that
you loosen the cable fixing bolt and pull the cable taut. It will also be
necessary to align the position of the components of your shifting sys-
tem. This will be covered in depth in the following derailleur sections.