How to Adjust the Rear Derailleur (Gear) in E-Cycles

Do you like a mystery? You may.

But you probably won’t like solving a mechanical mystery during a peaceful ride on your e-cycle. 

It’s the mystery of why your rear derailleur is making that annoying click-click sound and your gears aren’t shifting as smoothly as before. 

But don't sweat: it is not a tricky manoeuvre. It's definitely not rocket science. In fact, it is something that you can master with only a few simple tricks and tweaks and a bit of patience.

So, let's enter the world of derailleur adjustments, always to keep your e-cycle in top gear, as the saying goes!

The rear derailleur is the part that moves your bike chain between the various gears of the rear cassette. To put it more simply, it is the part that helps with changing gears. 

The derailleur processes the commands from your gear shifter and moves the chain either up or down to the various gears. The component is even more critical on an e-cycle because it balances the power coming from both your legs and the electric motor.

When the component is not functioning properly, you will experience delayed and greasy shifts, plenty of noise, or the inability to shift at all. 

While e-cycling is generally a pleasant experience, a faulty rear derailleur alignment can quickly ruin the ride. 

So, how do you know your rear derailleur is in need of some sweet lovin'? 

Well, here are some of the most common signs that things are not quite right: 

• Ghost Shifting: Generally, your e-cycle suddenly decides to change gears without having touched the gear shifter. Spooky? Sort of. Fixable? Most definitely.

• Gear Hopping: This means that during pedalling, the chain jumps from one gear to the other and then back again. You start pedalling but you are having a hard time with an even cadence.

• Delayed Shifts: You click the gear shifter, and the chain acts on its own sweet time. It is as if your front derailleur has some sort of delay from when an actuation takes place to when the actual shift occurs.

• Clicking Noises: A derailleur that isn't tuned will also make a clicking noise almost constantly since the chain is searching for a good position to sit.

Nodding your head in recognition? 

Yep, it's time to give your poor derailleur some attention!

Before you get your hands dirty, first gather a few tools. 

The good news? You won't need a mechanic's toolkit for this job. 

Just a few essentials:

• 5mm Allen wrench: This can be used to make adjustments to the limit screws and for cable-tightening on the derailleur.

• Phillips screwdriver: This is used to make adjustments to high and low-limit screws.

• A bike stand: It’s optional, but it does make the task much easier since you can pedal and make adjustments at the same time. But if not, it will be just fine to flip your e-cycle upside down.

One final thing - patience and a good attitude! 

Okay, that’s not exactly a tool, but it goes a long way toward making the process smooth.

With the right tools at hand, let us outline the procedure in steps that are easy to follow:

First things first: make certain that your derailleur hanger - the part that attaches the derailleur to the frame - isn't bent. 

If the derailleur is crooked, no amount of adjustment is going to resolve your issue. 

Generally speaking, you can tell by standing behind the bike and making sure the derailleur is parallel to the cassette. 

If it isn't, you'll want to correct that before proceeding, or if the bend is bad, visit the bike shop.

Limit screws basically serve to prevent the derailleur from shifting further than it should when changing gear to either the biggest or the smallest cog. 

In this regard, on your derailleur, you will find two small screws that are normally marked "H" for high and "L" for low. Here is how to adjust them:

• High Limit (H): Shift into the smallest cog-high gear. Turn the "H" screw in until the upper jockey wheel-the little pulley on the derailleur-is directly under the smallest cog. This keeps the chain from falling off the cassette during shifts.

• Low Limit (L): Now move into the largest cog. That is, into the lowest gear. Move the "L" screw until the jockey wheel is aligned under the largest cog. That does not allow the chain to overshoot and drop into the spokes.

Now that your limits are set, it is time to tune the shifts with cable tension. This is where shifting performance improves.

• Start with the smallest cog and pedal slowly. Click one gear up. If it hesitates or does not shift up, this indicates that the cable tension is too loose.

• Locate the barrel adjuster, which is where the cable from the derailleur enters the derailleur. It works by counterclockwise-turn to tighten the cable and thus ease shifting. 

If the chain skips over too many gears, then the tension is too high, and you need to back the tension off by turning the barrel adjuster clockwise.

• Continue to test the shifts by pedalling and shifting in all gears, making minor adjustments to the barrel adjuster until shifts are smooth and accurate.

The B-tension screw controls the proximity of the upper jockey wheel to the cassette. If it's too close, the chain will be noisy; if it's too far, shifting will become slow. 

The B-tension screw is located next to the derailleur hanger. A clockwise turn will move the derailleur away from the cassette.

To adjust, shift into the biggest cog and pedal slowly. If it feels too close to the cassette, tighten the B-tension screw until the jockey wheel is about 5 mm off the cogs. This fine adjustment will facilitate easier shifts, especially for those with low gears.

Now, it is time to take your e-cycle out for a test ride. Shift through all of the gears, listening for any hesitation or grinding noises. 

If necessary, make slight adjustments to the barrel adjuster or limit screws until it's all running smoothly. This is where your patience comes into play, as sometimes it takes several tweaks until it is just right.

• Keep it Clean: A dirty derailleur is an unhappy derailleur. Regular cleaning of your drivetrain chain, cassette, and derailleur prevents grime from gunking up the works.

• Lubricate the Chain: Always apply chain lube after cleaning; this helps you shift smoother and protects your chain from rust.

• Inspect the Derailleur Hanger: Check periodically for bends in the derailleur hanger, especially if you or your bike has taken a tumble.

All it really takes is a few tools and a little patience, and those gear woes will soon be a thing of the past, and you'll be back to smooth, effortless riding in no time. 

The rear derailleur is small, but it is an extremely important part of your e-cycle. Take the time now to fine-tune it for quieter, responsive shifts and a much, much happier ride.

Now, go forth and ride like the wind, and may your gears shift with the smoothness of silk as if they read your mind! 

Happy cycling!