When Gear Adjustments Aren’t Enough: Learning to Diagnose Bicycle Shifting Problems

You make an adjustment and the shifting improves in one direction—but gets worse in the other. You adjust it back, and the problem moves again. Sound familiar?

In my latest Bike Teacher video, I work through this situation with a SRAM AXS rear derailleur. As I test the shifting and make adjustments, it becomes clear that the next step is to investigate further.

That’s an important part of bicycle repair: knowing when to stop adjusting and start checking for another cause.

Follow the Symptoms

Poor shifting doesn’t automatically mean the derailleur needs more adjustment. Hanger alignment, component wear, and drivetrain setup can all affect how the bike shifts.

For this bike, my next step is to check the derailleur hanger alignment. Once that’s checked and any necessary correction is made, I’ll return to the shifting adjustments and evaluate the results.

The goal is to understand what the bike is telling you—and make corrections for a reason.

Learn on a Real Bike

At Bike Teacher in San Jose, students get hands-on experience with bicycle repair and maintenance. We work through adjustments, identify problems, and practice using the tools needed to solve them.

Whether you want to maintain your own bike or build more advanced mechanic skills, training can be tailored to your experience and goals. Students are welcome to bring their own bikes to class.

Classes are ongoing, with flexible scheduling Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some Saturdays.

Explore classes at biketeacher.com, or visit Bike Teacher on YouTube for repair tutorials.

Grab a tool and turn yourself free.