0

I've never installed one of these trigger shifters. Here's what I'm doing:

  1. Acera derailleur has chain on the smallest cog.
  2. Mount trigger shifter on handlebar with its gear set to 7.
  3. Run cable to and then through the rear derailleur.
  4. Pull cable taut, gently, so the barrel-end is pulled into the trigger shifter and seats itself.
  5. Tighten derailleur cable clamp.
  6. Pedal the bike (mounted on stand).
  7. Shift...shift...shift...shift.

The chain moves cog by cog up to the 4th cog and then the shifter trigger won't budge any further.

Improve this question
1
  • I would pedal the bike in the stand and push the derailleur by hand (mind your fingers) to see how far up the cassette the derailleur is free to move, let us know what happens. If it stops at the fourth cog then likely need to release the L limit screw. But as per Argenti’s answer, shifting will be compromised anyway by the mismatched shifter.
    – Swifty
    Dec 13, 2018 at 22:17

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

SRAM shifters are generally not compatible with Shimano derailleurs. The reason is that they use different increments of cable pull per shift and derailleur actuation ratio (how far the cage moves sideways per mm of cable pulled).

SRAM X3 7 speed shifters pull 4.5mm of cable per shift. Actuation ratio is 1:1.1 resulting in ~5mm derailleur movement.

You don't say what Acera derailleur you have. Depending on how old it is it could (nominally) be 7, 8 or 9 speed, but all Shimano MTB derailleurs 9 speed and below have an actuation ratio of 1:1.7. For 7 speed the cable pull should be 2.7mm.

Source: https://www.artscyclery.com/science-behind-the-magic/science-behind-the-magic-drivetrain-compatibility/

I think you probably have a several other adjustment issues - the cable is probably too slack, but the X3 shifter and Acera derailleur will not work together. Any Shimano 7 speed trigger shifter will work (because they all use the same actuation ratio).

When you get the correct shifters, use Park Tool Company's derailleur adjustment guides for (mostly) pain free setup:

https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/rear-derailleur-adjustment

https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/front-derailleur-adjustment

Improve this answer
2
  • Thank you for this info. There's a lot I need to learn here. There was an SRAM gripshifter on the bike before, so I just assumed...
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    Dec 13, 2018 at 21:29
  • There are a lot of SRAM shifters that are Shimano compatible.... MRX Gripshifts were an important leg up in the world for them and are extremely populous.
    – Nathan Knutson
    Dec 14, 2018 at 2:56
0

The pull ratio between your shifter and derailleur is likely to be the issue. You can get a pull ratio adapter. This question was previouslu asked about the reverse setup (Can I use Shimano trigger shifter with my X3 SRam gears?).

Improve this answer
1
  • There is at least one pull ratio adapter (JTek Shiftmate) available, but it costs about the same or more than a set of 7 speed Shimano shifters
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 13, 2018 at 23:37

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.