How to set up a 1x11 drivetrain from Sram correctly

Stefan Frey

· 14.08.2017

Photo: Daniel Simon

How to set up a 1x11 drivetrain from Sram correctly

With 11-speed drivetrains, sensitivity is required. Small inaccuracies in the adjustment can impair the shifting quality. We show you how to adjust a 1x11 drivetrain from Sram.

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You have these setting options on Sram gears:

Three screws bring the 11-speed rear derailleurs from Sram into the correct position. The optimum tension is adjusted on the shift lever.

Rear derailleur (right) and trigger of a 1x11 derailleur from Sram. The tension can only be adjusted on the shift lever, everything else is done using the screws on the rear derailleur.

Photo: Daniel Simon Rear derailleur (right) and trigger of a 1x11 derailleur from Sram. The tension can only be adjusted on the shift lever, everything else is done using the screws on the rear derailleur.

1 H-screw
The left-hand screw limits the outward swivelling range of the rear derailleur so that the chain cannot get caught between the smallest sprocket and the frame.

2 L-screw
The right-hand screw limits the radius of action inwards. This prevents the chain from moving into the spokes when shifting gears.

3 Wrapping
This screw is used to adjust the distance between the upper guide rollers of the rear derailleur and the sprocket set. If the distance is too small, the sprocket and rear derailleur will get in each other's way.

4 Tensile stress
If you turn the tension screw on the shift lever anti-clockwise, the tension on the rear derailleur increases. This allows the chain to move more easily to the next larger sprocket.

Check the derailleur hanger: Even a slightly bent derailleur hanger can have a negative effect on shifting behaviour. So before you adjust the derailleur, you should take a look at the derailleur hanger. The derailleur can only be adjusted precisely if the rear derailleur is one hundred per cent straight under the sprocket set.

Loosen the shift cable: It is not absolutely necessary to loosen the derailleur cable to adjust the outer stop. However, it is easier and more precise to find the correct position of the derailleur cage if there is no cable on the rear derailleur. Shift to the smallest sprocket and release the shift cable.

External limitation: The next step is to limit the swivelling range of the rear derailleur. The rear derailleur is limited to the outside with the H-screw. Position the upper guide pulley exactly under the smallest sprocket by turning the H-screw. Then clamp the derailleur cable again under slight tension.

Internal limit: To limit the inner swivelling range, shift to the largest sprocket. Here too, the upper guide roller must be positioned exactly under the sprocket. The L-screw should be adjusted so that the rear derailleur cannot swivel any further inwards when the lever is pressed again.

Wrap: Use the wrap screw to set how far the rear derailleur, and therefore the chain, wraps around the sprocket. To do this, shift to the largest sprocket and measure the distance between the upper guide roller and the tooth tips of the sprocket. For Sram 1x11 and 1x12 drivetrains, the distance should be 15 millimetres. The B Gap Adjustment Tool (see box on the right) makes the adjustment easier.

6 Images

Photo: Daniel Simon

Workshop assistant for gearstick adjustment

The derailleur can only be perfectly tuned with an absolutely straight derailleur hanger. However, this small component is sensitive and can easily break off if handled roughly. The derailleur hanger can be aligned precisely and defect-free using a control gauge. The Cyclus derailleur hanger control gauge, for example, is available from retailers for as little as 26 euros.

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Despite the instructions, circuit alignment remains a mystery? Then perhaps the App from OTTO Tuning Systems. The smartphone camera reads the symbols on the templates and tells you which screws to turn. The template set costs 39 dollars. The app is currently only available for iOS devices in the iTunes store.

Photo: Daniel Simon The template set of the OTTO Tuning App is designed to help with the perfect adjustment of the gears.

You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 3/2017 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:

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Stefan Frey

Editor

Stefan Frey is from Lower Bavaria and loves the mossy, loamy trails of the Bavarian Forest as much as the rugged rock of the Dolomites. For technical descents, he is prepared to tackle almost any ascent - under his own steam. As an accessories specialist, he is the first port of call for questions about equipment and add-on parts, while as head of copywriting he sweeps the language crumbs from the pages of the BIKE print editions.

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How to set up a 1x11 drivetrain from Sram correctly

You have these setting options on Sram gears:

Workshop assistant for gearstick adjustment

Stefan Frey

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