I've just stripped all cables and chain from a badly kept bicycle and replaced them.

I've correctly adjusted the rear derailleur and it works great.

However, front derailleur which only has 3 gears isn't working as expected.

It takes 2-3 steps on the gear to actually change 1 gears.
The range seems to be 1-6, instead of 3.

The gear is the type that is round, circular next to the handles.


This is normal. The procedure is called trimming.

It allows you to move the front derailleur cage a bit to prevent the derailleur cage rubbing on the chain due to the changing angle of the chain when shifting in the rear.

  • There is no rubbing on chain. The problem is front gear has 3 steps. My gear shifter thing, on the handle, does 6 steps. My problem is with that. – Phil Mar 15 '16 at 17:51
  • Yes, that's normal. The extra steps are there for accounting for the case where the derailleur cage may rub. – Batman Mar 15 '16 at 17:54
  • Thank you. I'd like to accept your answer but I think it better be edited a little with this information. Or do you recon "trimming" is the all and only answer there is? – Phil Mar 16 '16 at 16:02
  • That is what trimming means. – Batman Mar 16 '16 at 16:33
