Search is working better now but couldn't find an answer to my question.

I have an ultegra rear derailer (10 gears). I was trying to readjust the high/low on it and it doesn't seem like the high is going as far as it should. When completely maxed out on the H adjustment (very loose, and further turning does nothing) the guide sprocket is just barely at the smallest gear.

My expectation is that I should be able to have enough adjustment in the system so that the guide pulley goes past the smallest gear. I realize this is bad to leave it that way but I'm just trying to explain my problem.

The 'L' doesn't have a lot of room either.

Long story short; I am unable to adjust my rear derailer such that the chain goes past the largest or smallest gears. It's as if it just barely fits.

Does that make sense? I hope so. Is there anything I can do to extend the H/L range for the rear derailer? My understanding is that cable tension shouldn't affect things while making these adjustments.

I've attached a diagram to help explain my problem. I'm not happy with the adjustment right now on my rear derailers and I think that this could be causing my unhappiness. Sure, it will shift into the lowest and highest gears but there's some delay and I'm not happy with the up/down shifting. I can get one direction to shift smoothly (going low to high for example) but then the opposite direction will be very laggy and noisy.

What do you think? I'm a novice with this and apologize if I'm just missing something stupid.

I think that you are wrong about cable tension not affecting this adjustment.

Yes, this ADJUSTMENT is supposed to be independent of cable tension, but that's because you're supposed to do the adjustment with the cable detached (or at least very slack). In OPERATION, which you essentially have when you've got the cable attached, cable tension is a very big factor in how far you can move the derailler.

If you try to make this adjustment with the cable hooked up, there's the danger that the cable won't allow full travel--moving the derailler in the direction of the small cog involves releasing cable tension. If your cable is set up so it's too tight, it'll cause exactly the problem you're having.

I think if you unfasten the cable before adjusting you'll find that you can get things to work properly. You might be able to use the barrel adjuster to slack the cable enough to properly adjust, but it's just as easy to loosen the attachment nut.

I think that you are wrong about cable tension not affecting this adjustment.

Yes, this ADJUSTMENT is supposed to be independent of cable tension, but that's because you're supposed to do the adjustment with the cable detached (or at least very slack). In OPERATION, which you essentially have when you've got the cable attached, cable tension is a very big factor in how far you can move the derailler.

If you try to make this adjustment with the cable hooked up, there's the danger that the cable won't allow full travel--moving the derailler in the direction of the small cog involves releasing cable tension. If your cable is set up so it's too tight, it'll cause exactly the problem you're having.

I think if you unfasten the cable before adjusting you'll find that you can get things to work properly. You might be able to use the barrel adjuster to slack the cable enough to properly adjust, but it's just as easy to loosen the attachment nut.

Correct. This is set up with no cable and most visable with no chain. - TF

Thanks for the info. I'll try that when I get home tonight.

Thanks for the info. I'll try that when I get home tonight.

I tried the suggestions and you are all correct (but you already knew that! ;) ). Thanks for the info, I was able to adjust things much better now. :)