Originally Posted By: cchase
If the smallest ring up front is 1, then 3 is the largest, is it rubbing in 1, 2, and 3, or just one? It is many times impossible to get a setup that does not rub in one extreme or the other.
The best way to start setup is to put the chain in the middle ring in the front. If cable tension is properly set, you should be able to go through all the gears on the cassette without major rubbing issues on the front cage on most bikes.
I assume you know already that small ring front, small cog rear is a bad combination and that large ring front, large cog rear is also a bad combination and you should not worry with rubbing in that scenario.
Rubbing in small ring front, large cog rear can be a result of either the Low limit screw being set too high or excessive cable tension not allowing the front derailleur to rest on the Low limit screw. Rubbing in large ring front, small cog rear can be a result of the High limit screw being set too low, or insufficient cable tension.
Based on the videos I used for adjustments to set the high/low.
I set chain on smallest front/largest back and set the H/L limit screw(I forget which one). Then with chain on biggest front, smallest back, set the screw. (I forget which one)
I also screwed in the cable after the 1st adjustment (chain on smallest front/largest back and set the H/L) while applying tension.
Also the face of the derailleur was the proper 3mm away from top of large ring.
I understand what you mean by riding in middle ring most of the time.
What should I do differently?
The rear was a cake walk. Which is why my bike is a 1x9. Keeping it simple.