It’s no fun taking your bike to the LBS only to hear that your problem is user error. Mechanics face these five customer woes all the time. Here’s how to solve them yourself. — By Lindsay J. Westley

Adjusting Your Shifter

Problem:  My chain keeps popping off. Can you adjust my shifter?

What Happened: You didn’t soft pedal when shifting between chainrings.

When you pedal hard while shifting, especially on hills, the chain has to work harder to move since it’s already under heavy resistance. Try easing off as you shift gears. You won’t lose momentum, but by avoiding a last-minute, panicked shift, your chain should move exactly where you want it to go. If you are soft pedaling but still dropping your chain, you may need a professional to adjust the limit screws on your front derailleur (the part that moves the chain between rings). These screws allow you to make precise adjustments, but even a small turn can cause damage if you’re not sure what you’re doing.

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