How to adjust your MTB front derailleur?

You have just installed your MTB front derailleur, or your chainring shifts are not smooth? No doubt about it, it's time to adjust your derailleur. Here is some guidance to help you carry out this operation on your MTB.

Time: 15 min
Level: Intermediate
Tools: Allen key set

Steps

In most cases, your front derailleur is supplied with a plastic spacer placed in the mechanism to hold it in the adjustment position, so make sure not to remove it for now. Adjustment is carried out with the derailleur cable released.

For a clamp-on derailleur, first align the cage of your derailleur a so that it is parallel to your chainrings.
Then adjust the height of the derailleur; the outer part of the cage must be between 1 and 3 mm b above the highest tooth of the large chainring.
Once correctly positioned, tighten the derailleur retaining bolt to the torque specified by the manufacturer, then remove the installation spacer if there was one.
Place the chain on the largest sprocket at the rear and on the smallest chainring at the front, then adjust the low limit screw of the front derailleur (screw "L", for Low) so as to position the inner side of the cage 2 mm from the chain. c
Fully tighten the tension adjuster barrel at the gear shifter, then unscrew it by 2 turns. d
Now clamp the gear cable on the derailleur, pulling it slightly taut by hand.
Place the chain on the smallest sprocket at the rear and on the largest chainring at the front, then adjust the high limit screw of the front derailleur (screw "H", for High) so as to position the outer side of the cage 2 mm from the chain. e Probikeshop tip: A perfect limit screw adjustment prevents the chain from rubbing against the cage but also prevents it from derailing.
Adjust the cable tension using the barrel adjuster on the gear shifter. If the gear does not shift up, it means there is insufficient tension. If it does not shift down, this indicates there is too much tension.
Probikeshop tip: To make final adjustment easier, lubricate your drivetrain.