[Knuckleslammer]

All new ****e. Can't figure it out. SRAM X.9 derailleur (long) and SRAM X.9 Shifters, PC99 chain and SRAM powerglide 7.0 11-32 Cassette. I have the H and L stops set correctly. If I adjust the Trigger Barrel adjuster I can get either the Top 4 (32 and 5 down) to up and downshift smoothly, but when it gets to the last 4, they jump all over the place. The cable is plenty tight, so I put the chain in the smallest cog (11T) and adjust again and the bottom 5 shift smoothly and the when I get to the larger one, (3rd from largest and upshift, it skips #2 and goes directly to the largest one. All the while the cable is taught and not loose at all. I can't figure this out and I'm ready to dump the SRAM stuff and go back to XTR components. HELP, I'm ready to SNAP. I've spent 6 hours on this so far and I'm ready to smash the SRAM stuff and go back to Shimano (which I don't want to do).
I love the SRAM trigger shifters and I'm not ready to start flamming SRAM yet. Any help is appreciated. Knuck

 

[Westy]

Have you adjusted the B screw yet? Try turning it in and moving the top jockey wheel away from the cassette. SRAM recommends a 1/4" gap when in the largest gear but things work well up to 1/2" away.

 

[Knuckleslammer]

Yeah, I've read the manual, I have 1/4" top and bottom. The one thing I noticed is they say that cable length to the last cable stop and the derailleur must be a specific length. I have a hollowpoint team and the shortest I can get away with is about 180mm. I don't think that should be a problem. What difference does it make what length the cable housing is, as long as it's not too short and not too long right? I have it just right. Kevin

 

[Westy]

How bad is it jumping. If it is no that bad maybe things just need to be broken in. I have noticed that my bike shifts crappy with brand new components, especially a new chain. After one ride things seem to work great. I thing the chain needs to break in a little. A new chain is a little stiffer and more prone to be affected by chainline.

 

[Knuckleslammer]

well basically it's in the 3rd largest from the top and I upshift, it will skip # 2 completely, and prior to shifting I note the alignment of the derailleur and it's mis-aligned. I align the thing perfectly either on gear 11 or gear 32 and as I progress up or down, the alignment goes off. Thats the problem. I can't figure this phucking thing out. I've put on 30 derailleurs before and never had to devote 5 hours to it. It's insane. I think I'm just gonna ditch the stuff and go back to XTR. I do appreciate the help and any other ideas you have, throw em my way. Thanks, Kevin

 

[D_D]

Check the hanger is straight and the mech is not bent somehow.

I find sram are usually easier to adjust than shimano. The only thing you need to do different is that with sram you don't need to pull the cable as tight as shimano before you clamp it on the mech. It's apparently ment to make it easier to fit but if you are only used to shimano it's a pain.

 

[oldfart]

Originally posted by Knuckleslammer
I can get either the Top 4 (32 and 5 down) to up and downshift smoothly, but when it gets to the last 4, they jump all over the place.

Is that an 8 speed cassette? It sounds exactly like the problem one would have using a 9 speed shifter with an 8 speed cassette. There's not a huge spacing difference between the two so it takes a few cogs worth of shifting before the space diifeerence adds up to equal poor shifting.

 

[Knuckleslammer]

Well I was pulling the cable as tight as possible. Do you think thats the problem. I'm spending 1 more hour on this and then I'm done. I have the manual, measured the jockey spacing. Adjusted the H and L screws spot on. 1 more hour and it's back to XTR.
Knuck

 

[oldfart]

I checked the SRAM site tech stuff. The cable should attach to the underside or inside of the cable attachment bolt. Did you attach it to the outside like you do with the X-0?

 

[daniel johnny112]

It sounds like you have a bent deraileur or mis-aligned dropouts. I have just got some X-7 bits for my bike and have had exactly the same problem. I had my dropouts re aligned at the LBS (still didn't fix anything) but found that when I did my quick release skewer up it had to make the dropouts bend a long way in (1/4" or more) before it came into contact with my axle. I found that by puting a thick washer (might need 2) on the cassette side of the axle, between the dropout and axle, it made the axle fatter so the dropouts didn't have to bend in. It fixed the problem straight away. Your dropouts might not have a gap between the axle, but if you still make them a bit wider you might find it fixes your problem. Don't give up!!! SRAM is soooooo much smoother, quieter, lighter, nicer...... than shimano

 

[Joe33]

You might try just indexing it on one gear up from the bottom or one gear down from the top. Possibly when you index it on the extreme gears its resting on the stops preventing the cable tension adjustment form having a visible effect?

 

[slowSSer]

Originally posted by oldfart
Is that an 8 speed cassette? It sounds exactly like the problem one would have using a 9 speed shifter with an 8 speed cassette. There's not a huge spacing difference between the two so it takes a few cogs worth of shifting before the space diifeerence adds up to equal poor shifting.

um, hate to be a tool, but the deralliur doesnt care- the "detent" between shifts comes from the shifter, not the der. runing a 9 speed der isnt an issue with an 8 speed casette and shifters at all- but you want to mkae sure that you're running a 9sp chain with a 9sp der. set that up on at least 4 bikes, some mine, some my friends. zero issues.

 

[EBasil]

I use a "9-speed" derailleur on an 8-speed cassette, too, but Oldfart was referring to the SHIFTER, not the CHANGER. The detents are indeed in the shifter and a shimano 9 speed shifter will never work perfectly on an 8-speed cassette. Just Say No.

Give us more updates on that new SRAM stuff!! A large photo essay would be appropriate.

 

[oldfart]

Thanks Ebasil. At least some one reads. JOKE JOKE don't bite my head off. I'm as guilcup as the next guy. Yes curious minds want to know how your issues went. Mostly we all want to be acknowledged as correct!

 

[PsychO!1]

Originally posted by oldfart
I checked the SRAM site tech stuff. The cable should attach to the underside or inside of the cable attachment bolt. Did you attach it to the outside like you do with the X-0?

Gotta agree with Oldfart here.....I had the same experience.

If the cable is sucured to the derailure on the wrong side of the bolt, I believe the ratio at which the derailure moves is changed, therefore causing a shifting like you have described.