Wheel 1 on 1

How to Build a Road Bike #14 Connect Front Derailleur Cable

 
This is Step 14 of a multi-part series on how to build a road bike.  There is a free eBook available that gives you instant access to the following:
  1. A FREE 43 page Full Color eBook – Available in PDF and iBook Format (iPhone/iPad)
  2. 15 FREE HD Step by Step Videos
  3. 110 FREE Full Color Pictures
NOTE*  All Park Tool pictures are courtesy of Park Tool.  Thank you Park Tool!
 
To download the free eBook and videos, please visit www.flocycling.com/buildabike.php and enter your email address.
 
To see Step 1, Installing your Bottom Bracket, click here.
To see Step 2, Installing your Crankset and Pedals, click here.
To see Step 3, Installing your Fork, Stem, and Handlebar, click here.
To see Step 4, Hanging your Derailleurs, click here.
To see Step 5, Installing your Saddle, click here.
To see Step 6, Installing your Shifters, click here.
To see Step 7, Installing your Cassette and Wheels, click here.
To see Step 8, Mounting your Brakes, click here.
To see Step 9, Aligning your Rear Derailleur, click here.
To see Step 10, Cutting and Installing your Chain, click here.
To see Step 11, Installing Cables and Housing, click here.
To see Step 12, Connecting your Brake Cables, click here.
To see Step 13, Connecting the Rear Derailleur Cable, click here.
 
Step 14 – Connecting the Front Derailleur Cable
 
What You Need

Tools: 
  • Torque Wrench (TW-1 or TW-5)
  • Socket and Bit Set (SBS-1)
  • Hex Set (HXS-1.2) 
  • Cutters (SP-7)
  • Pliers (NP-6)
Tools
 
Parts: 
  • Cable Tips/End Caps
Parts
 
Before You Get Started
  • To prevent the chain from falling off of the cassette, you can install a chain catcher.  These are not necessary but can come in handy.
Installation
 

1.  Before you connect your front derailleur cable, you will want to set the Lo limit adjustment screw.  To do this, put your chain in the small ring of your crankset (it should already be there by default) and shift to the largest gear of your cassette. 

 
2.  From the back end of the bike, look down the chain-line to see the chain’s position relative to the inner left hand side of the derailleur cage. 
 
3.  Adjust your Lo limit adjustment screw so there is 1mm of space between the chain and the derailleur cage (see Figure 1).  Note:  Watching the accompanying video will provide additional information and provide a better visual representation.
Figure 1
 

4.  Next we will want to connect the front derailleur cable. Begin by passing the cable under the front derailleur cable bolt. 

 
5.  Pull the cable tight to remove all of the slack in the cable (see Figure 2).
Figure 2

6.  Tighten the derailleur cable bolt to the manufacturer’s recommended torque value using a torque wrench (see Figure 3).

Figure 3
 

7.  It’s now time to set the Hi limit of your front derailleur.  Shift your chain into the big ring of the crankset and the smallest gear of your cassette. 

 
8.  From the back end of the bike, look down the chain-line to see the chain’s position relative to the inner right hand side of the derailleur cage.
 
9.  Adjust your Hi limit adjustment screw so there is 1mm of space between the chain and the derailleur cage (see Figure 4).  Note:  Watching the accompanying video will provide additional information and provide a better visual representation.
Figure 4
 

10.  If this is a new front derailleur cable, it will more than likely stretch after shifting through your gears the first few times.  After shifting through the gears the first few times, be sure to back off the front derailleur cable bolt and re-tension the cable.  

 
11.  Once complete, cut the excess cable and attach and end cap (ferrule) (see Figure 5).
Figure 5
 
12.  You now have a properly connected rear derailleur cable.
 
This completes connecting the front derailleur cable.
 
 
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Jon Thornham