questions from recreational biker

Lyndon said:

I'm not trying to get into the TdF; I bicycle for exercise and to get
around, which my 21-speed Specialized does quite nicely for. There's
one problem it has: when I downshift the rear hub, the chain usually
skips down two gears, then shifts up one to where it should be. I'm
sure something isn't adjusted quite right, and I'm wondering if anyone
can tell me what needs to be done to it. Also, I have a CatEye OS, and
I'd like to have it measure things in miles. Is there a way to do
this, or do I have to learn to do kilometer-mile conversions in my
head?

Thanks

Regarding your last question, the CayEye manuals are sometimes available
online at www.cateye.com. In the setup for most cycle computers you
should have the option of selecting miles or kilos. It sounds like all
you need is to select miles vs. kilos.

As a fellow recreational biker, I have my LBS do adjustments to the gears.
I've learned the hard way that it takes me much too long to do this.

--
Bob Burns
Mill Hall PA
(email is spamtrap)

"Lyndon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm not trying to get into the TdF; I bicycle for exercise and to get
around, which my 21-speed Specialized does quite nicely for. There's
one problem it has: when I downshift the rear hub, the chain usually
skips down two gears, then shifts up one to where it should be. I'm
sure something isn't adjusted quite right, and I'm wondering if anyone
can tell me what needs to be done to it. Also, I have a CatEye OS, and
I'd like to have it measure things in miles. Is there a way to do
this, or do I have to learn to do kilometer-mile conversions in my
head?

Thanks

"Lyndon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm not trying to get into the TdF; I bicycle for exercise and to get
around, which my 21-speed Specialized does quite nicely for. There's
one problem it has: when I downshift the rear hub, the chain usually
skips down two gears, then shifts up one to where it should be. I'm
sure something isn't adjusted quite right, and I'm wondering if anyone
can tell me what needs to be done to it. Also, I have a CatEye OS, and
I'd like to have it measure things in miles. Is there a way to do
this, or do I have to learn to do kilometer-mile conversions in my
head?

Thanks

Bent teeth on the rear cassette, can cause skipping, or maybe the rear
cassette is worn, and needs replaced.

....steve

Lyndon said:

I'm not trying to get into the TdF; I bicycle for exercise and to get
around, which my 21-speed Specialized does quite nicely for. There's
one problem it has: when I downshift the rear hub, the chain usually
skips down two gears, then shifts up one to where it should be. I'm
sure something isn't adjusted quite right, and I'm wondering if anyone
can tell me what needs to be done to it.

You're right that it probably is just an adjustment, but exactly what
needs to be done varies. The easiest thing to try would be to turn the
in-line adjuster for the derailleur cable (called a barrel adjuster, but
it's a fitting on the cable) to loosen the cable slightly.

Quoted message said:

Also, I have a CatEye OS, and
I'd like to have it measure things in miles. Is there a way to do this,
or do I have to learn to do kilometer-mile conversions in my head?

Look up the manual in http://www.cateye.com

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Become MicroSoft-free forever. Ask me how.
_`\(,_ |
(_)/ (_) |

Lyndon says...

Quoted message said:

I'm not trying to get into the TdF; I bicycle for exercise and to get
around, which my 21-speed Specialized does quite nicely for. There's
one problem it has: when I downshift the rear hub, the chain usually
skips down two gears, then shifts up one to where it should be. I'm
sure something isn't adjusted quite right, and I'm wondering if anyone
can tell me what needs to be done to it. Also, I have a CatEye OS, and
I'd like to have it measure things in miles. Is there a way to do
this, or do I have to learn to do kilometer-mile conversions in my
head?

Thanks

Shifting is a delicate balance and many factors can throw it off. Cable
stretch, sticky cables and a worn chain, rings or cassette can all cause
problems. Have you tried using the barrel adjusters? There should be
one on both ends of your shift cable. You can fiddle with the one at
the handlebar end while you are riding. Turn it counter clockwise to
add tension to the cable. This should lessen the tendency to skip
gears. If you had the problem of hitting the shifter and not getting
any shift at all, you would want to turn the adjuster clockwise to
loosen the cable a little.

Lyndon said:

I'm not trying to get into the TdF; I bicycle for exercise and to get
around, which my 21-speed Specialized does quite nicely for. There's
one problem it has: when I downshift the rear hub, the chain usually
skips down two gears, then shifts up one to where it should be. I'm
sure something isn't adjusted quite right, and I'm wondering if anyone
can tell me what needs to be done to it.

You are probably right that something is out of adjustment. You have a
couple of choices: either you can pay a shop to fix it, or you can do it
yourself.

If you choose the latter, I'd suggest that you visit
<http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html> to learn what to do. There is
a great deal of information there. If it seems overwhelming, start with
Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Glossary (link in middle of page).

Good luck,

Reid

Thanks for the replies. I had been through the manual several times,
but kept missing that bit. After working on the barrel adjusters for a
while, the shifting is working wonderfully.

In article <[email hidden]>, Lyndon

Quoted message said:

when I downshift the rear hub, the chain usually
skips down two gears, then shifts up one to where it should be. I'm
sure something isn't adjusted quite right, and I'm wondering if anyone
can tell me what needs to be done to it. Also, I have a CatEye OS, and
I'd like to have it measure things in miles. Is there a way to do
this, or do I have to learn to do kilometer-mile conversions in my
head?