Conference noted::bicycle

     Hi John... Nope, none indexed. It's a weird one. I have never
    encountered this one before. You'd think that, with the chain in
    such a straight line of travel (as opposed to angled when in smaller
    cogs) the problem would show up on the "cross-chained" 39x12 combo.
    
     I think you're right... It might be lunar (certainly not linear).
    
       Chip

	I think it's the new, wireless, leg strength evaluator which is fitted
on all new top of the range Italian mechs.  It instantaneously decides whether
or not you are capable of turning a 53 x 12, if not, it stops you using it.  You
will probably be OK for 39 x 12, but I suggest more training.......

     Geesh, I wish they'd put all these new technical advances into
    the literature with the components and put a lid on wise-cracking
    NOTERS :-)... Actually  I ran a 53x42 last year and wanted to try
    a little more range. I also ran a 6spd f/w and went to a 7spd on
    this machine.
    
     Could it be the Japanese (D/A) f/w is just whimping out me? I ran
    Reginas for the last two years and never had this problem before...
    
      Chip :-)

    
    
      A couple of possibilities Chip.
    
      Try adusting chain tension.  The chain may be a bit to long or short.
    
      The other possibility is the amount of chain wrap your getting around
      the freewheel may not be enough.  If this is ajustable on C-record
      deraileurs try getting as much wrap as possible. A 12 tooth sprocket
      is pretty small.
    
      John C.
    

As someone who experienced a similar problem with a new frame, you might want
to have the alignement of the changer hanger checked.  There is a slick little
tool for checking and adjusting this, and it is somewhat common for this to
be an alignment problem, as it is likely to be bumped on a bare frame.

I take my bikes to Peter White in Acton periodically for an alignment check.
It can make a world of difference in not only shifting, but handling, which is
a little more obvious.

Jim

    Is there anything on C-Record like Shimano's b-tension adjustment
    screw? This is a little screw on the rear derailleur, bearing on the
    derailleur hanger, that adjust how close the upper jockey wheel runs to
    the freewheel sprockets. The idea is to get the jockey wheel as close
    as possible without actually rubbing. 
    
    
    Rod

     Thanks for the inputs... I'll check 'em out and update you.
    
     Chip

     Well, I fixed the shifting problem. I went back to my 6sp Regina.
    Shifts like a champ now... I got by last year with it very well.
    I'm sure I'll do fine this year. I'll just wait until I build
    my Campy 8sp hubs and buy their new derailleur... :-)
    
       Chip

>>     Well, I fixed the shifting problem. I went back to my 6sp Regina.
>>    Shifts like a champ now...

       Chip,

I had the same problem with my "winter beater" Centurion. I found the solution
very similar to what you did on your Merlin.

I removed my front and rear derailleurs. Built a fixed gear wheel and I now
have no problems with shifting. ;-)

Tom 42-17

My daughter's SIS equiped Schwinn Frontier MTB is upshifting by itself.  If
she had friction shift, I'd say the shifter on the downtube needs tightening,
but she has thumb shifters.  Do I want to tighten the screw on the shifter,
or do I need to look elsewhere?

Thanks,

Bob

After spending $180 to recover from my stupid bike trick, I really don't have
the money to put Nicole's bike in the shop, so could someone please tell me
how to troubleshoot the unwanted autoshifting problem in .12.

Thanks,

Bob

    I'm voting with Ed.  The cable stretch could cause some interesting
    shifting.  
    
    Also, if the cable is binding it could cause the shift to be
    delayed (shifter is calling for 3rd gear, rider thinks its in 2nd gear,
    eventually the derailleur pulls the slack out of the cable and
    upshifts)?
    
    Clean it, lube it, make sure everything move freely, adjust the cable
    to be sure it is centered on the freewheel cogs.

Bob, is it shifting all the way up to the highest gear no matter what gear
your daughter shifts it to?  If so, tighten the screw on the shifter.  On a
ride with my daughter once, I noticed that she was shifting an awful lot. 
When I asked why she kept shifting to her hardest gear, she said, "I'm not
doing it, the bike's doing it all by itself."  A minute's inspection showed
that the screw on the shifter (also a Schwinn MTB, with the shfter mounted on
the handle bar) was loose.  I tightened it down, and no more problems.

-Patrick

re: .17

I don't know.  I haven't had time to look at it.  My replacement cateye showed
up and I've been busy getting the bike ready for tonight's ride.

Thanks for the help.

Bob