Wrench Question: Sram Force

So, everytime i try and shift my sram force rear derailleur into the lowest gear (23 tooth), it slams into the wheel, and a couple of times it was UGLY- derailleur cable rips out (I had it loose) and the cage gets caught in the spokes- not good.

I know there must be limiters either on the derailleur or on the brifters, but I’m not sure where. The sram website is not helpful. There are the high/low adjuster screws, but they don’t help.

I know something is going on with me, cause I’m only using a 11-23 10 speed cassette, well within the specs for the brifters and derailleur.

Could I have put it on the bike wrong?

Thanks!

The limit screws do work, try turning them all the way in to make sure. The only other cause might be a bent derailleur hanger.

.

The limit screws do work, try turning them all the way in to make sure. The only other cause might be a bent derailleur hanger.

.

When I adjust the “low” gear limit screw, it makes it worse, pull it all the way out, and it’s not good enough. When I shift from 2nd to 1st (21-23), the shifters make the derailleur slam into the spokes- well, it’s only happened twice, but that’s enough for me. Can I limit the shifter in some way?

I have yet to put this bike on the road, this is all pre-game.

FYI- I bought the derailleur off someone on this website- and I’ve only now put them on.

I don’t have the SRAM instructions in front of me but with any rear derailuer, I try to preset the limit screws before I even attach the cable. Adjust those screws and move the derailuer by hand so your limits look correct. Then attach your cable and fine tune the limts and cable tension. At least then you won’t be likely to shift into your spokes.

Honestly, I do find SRAM harder to set-up than campy or shimano but it shouldn’t be that bad. Of course check your d-hanger, etc. Maybe it was bent or something got bent the first time you shifted into the spokes.

good luck

Could be a bent cage too. might want to look at that as well.

Do you have more than 2mm of spacers behind your cassette? could be an issue if you do.

Dave

On Force the low limit screw is the upper one. Turning it all the way in should allow you only to shift into the 2nd or 3rd largest cog. If you look at the rear der. from the back you can actually see where the limit screw hits a little tab on the derailleur which prevents it from moving towards the spokes. I would check and see if the tab is still on the derailleur.

BTW - This is all on 2009 Force stuff since that’s what we have here in the shop.

.

hmmm…my screws appear to hit directly on the derailleur.

Also, I do have some space behind my cassette. Not sure if it’s more than 2mm, that’s a pretty small distance, but it could be. Could that be the problem? What do you guys/gals think???

This is my fifth build, and I’ve never worked with sram before. I might just bring it to the shop and see what they say. I’ve got to get the rear wheel trued anyways.

Is your wheel in the right spot?

I had some issues when I rebuilt a hub and used a smaller spacer putting things back together…
It drove me nuts til I figured it out.

I didn’t mess with the wheel, but I’ll check when I get home.

Actually the cobwebs are falling away now…
If you are adjusting the wrong limit screw you can actually push the cage towards the spokes.
Think about it, tightening the outer (High) limit screw pushes the derailleur towards the spokes. so if the inner limit (low) is too loose (or I suppose if you make your adjustments out of order) you can wind up with your cage in the spokes. Note that cable tension plays a role here. if you really crank down on the cable (as opposed to just taking out the slack) you will never get the adjustment right…

Also as I recall, there are a couple different ways to run the cable (I believe that this allows for different shifter set-ups (if not manufacturers).

good luck.

problem solved: bent derailleur hanger.

Thanks guys.

There are trained professionals who deal with issues like this on a daily basis.
ST has a database of good reputable stores…

There are trained professionals who deal with issues like this on a daily basis.
ST has a database of good reputable stores…
What the hell are you talking about? lol

After you get your hanger straightened, you’re going to need to re-read that manual and readjust your deraileur
.

done and done, I took it for a ride in the parking lot today. It’s sweet, I’m going to post pics of it soon.