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I have a GX AXS derailleur with a garbaruk cage (because I mangled the original) and nukeproof jockey wheels. I've just moved it across from a Transition Sentinel v2 to a Sentinel v3 frame.
It was maybe a bit noisy running in the largest cog (50T) but basically fine on the old frame, but I'm finding on the new bike that I can't get it to stay in the largest cog. It'll shift up fine in the work stand but it gets jumpy when I'm pedalling and skips down and then up again constantly. Here's all the things I've tried, without much success.
- Aligned the hanger with an alignment tool (it was a bit out vertically).
- Replaced the chain (the stays are longer on the new frame so I figured maybe it was tight and needed an extra link or two).
- Set the b-gap at sag with the newer white b-gap tool.
- Fiddled with the limit screw to make sure it's not interfering - it wasn't.
- Messed with the micro trim adjustments.
- In desperation, tried a narrower BB spacer than I know it's meant to need to bring the chain line closer to the large cog.
None of this has helped much and I'm at a bit of a loss. The only ideas I have left are that perhaps the aftermarket cage is causing a problem (I noticed it is a little bit shorter than the OEM one) or perhaps the bushings are worn out in the mech? I have noticed that the derailleur has a bit of movement on the hanger at the pivot when fully tightened down, but I don't have a new mech to compare against so perhaps that's normal?
Does anyone have any good ideas for things I haven't tried yet? Do I have to buy a new derailleur?
Spares are available for SRAM stuff, not sure about AXS though.
Similar problem for me was play in the pin that mounts to the hanger. Got a new one and things are fine now and removed the lateral twisting.
Admit this wasn't AXS...
Another thing probably caused by witchcraft was moving the chain one tooth on the cassette. Especially in the centre of the cassette so that the outer plates of the chain matched the lift ramps on the next cog to change upwards. This removed the noise and sharpened up the shifting no end. Not sure if there is a tooth profile difference, like a N/W thing on the 50t which would help chain retention but ... well... maybe.
Is it possible you damaged the derailleur when you mangled the cage? I skidded off my gravel bike on the road and the only damage appeared to be a bent hanger and a slight scrape on the derailleur body. A few months later I replaced the jockey wheels as the bearings were worn and it wouldn’t shift properly at all afterwards once the play had been eliminated.
Also to answer your question about the play in the mounting bolt - this is normal.
Is your stop screw needing a small adjustment to allow the mech to move slightly further across?
Spares are available for SRAM stuff, not sure about AXS though.
Similar problem for me was play in the pin that mounts to the hanger. Got a new one and things are fine now and removed the lateral twisting.
Admit this wasn't AXS...
It does kind of seem like this may be an issue. Ive ordered a new mounting screw so lets see. While im at it I’ve also ordered a replacement bushing kit just in case.
Is it possible you damaged the derailleur when you mangled the cage? I skidded off my gravel bike on the road and the only damage appeared to be a bent hanger and a slight scrape on the derailleur body. A few months later I replaced the jockey wheels as the bearings were worn and it wouldn’t shift properly at all afterwards once the play had been eliminated.
Also to answer your question about the play in the mounting bolt - this is normal.
It’s possible that something else is damaged, it doesn’t look that way though. I guess if something else is broken or bent I’ll find it when I pull things apart.
Is your stop screw needing a small adjustment to allow the mech to move slightly further across?
I don’t think this is the issue, I’ve already tried it wound right out and it’s not contacting.
Thanks for all the ideas, I’ve got a few new things to try. More suggestions would be appreciated if anyone has a different idea!
I had a gx axs mech replaced on warranty as it would only go to 10th gear and while it would shift down with the chain on i could never get all gears shifting smoothly, the cause wasn't obvious without removing it. I'd try taking the chain off and see if the mech moves through the full range like that