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More shifting problems
#1
I ride an early 90's specialized hybrid. It was an 18 speed twist shift. Recently I had it converted to thumb shifters and added a low gear to seven. However I bought used shifters and cassette, It worked for a day or 2 except I wasn't getting my new low gear, I think there is an adjustment in the shifter to change from six speeds to seven? Also I read (in your comments ) that the derailer wont interchange?It seemed to work but I was having problems with it shifting gears on its own and not staying in gear. I adjusted on it and now its like nothing works (I'm getting only the middle gears on the shifter) I plan on getting a brand new shimano 7 speed cassette it was on order, should I get the derailer also? I'd really like to get it usable with what I have at least for now. Where Should I start? Adjust The derailer then shifter cable I totally messed that up. And how to get it down to the lowest gears to start the adjusting? I know this is a lot of questions and I'm way over my head so I thank you for any help to at least just get me back on the road.

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#2
First let's figure out what components you have. I'm a little confused by your description and I just want to get it right.
How many sprockets are on the rear cassette right now?<br />
How many gears was your rear derailleur originally set up for?<br />
How many gears does your rear shift lever have?
All of these components are designed to work together. If you have a 6 speed bike you have to change the cassette, derailleur and shifter to make it a 7 speed. However, 7 and 8 speed components are often interchangeable.

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#3
7 on the cassette and it was originally a 6 the derailer is the original but I changed the chain, the shifters were originally from a seven speed but they were adjusted for a six. Is it possible to get my lowest 6 gears? Also, it did work for a short while at seven.

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#4
Sorry, I have three sprockets on the big gears.

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#5
Also, is changing the derailer hard? I'm on a budget can I do the work?

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#6
Make sure you find a 7-speed derailleur with the same mounting bracket as your old one. Unfortunately a 7-speed shifter won't work with a 6-speed derailleur as the gear spacing is different.

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#7
Thanks. I'm going to purchase a new derailer and a new seven speed cassette but it looks like I cant get the 11 toothed one I wanted, but they have a thirteen,and I'm going to let them pick out the right derailer. Thanks for the information you have a great sight and I would like very much to come back and hopefully I'll have a NEW problem. Thanks.

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#8
Aye carumba talk about good news bad news or okay news. The guy at the shop was able to adjust it to work in all gears but he didn't have a cassette that I wanted. I have (recently bought a 13 tooth. I was hoping to get an 11 but they don't make them. He adjusted the derailer a lot and lengthened the shifter to get seven speeds was actually a lot of work even though it took him about 20 minutes it would of took me all winter. That said I plan on being able next time to do my own work.

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