Shimano RD-M971 Service Instructions

Page 1

General Safety Information

WARNING

• Use neutral detergent to clean the chain. Do not use alkali-based or acid based detergent such as rust cleaners as it may result in damage and/or failure of the chain.

• Use the reinforced connecting pin only for connecting the narrow type of chain.

• There are two different types of reinforced connecting pins available. Be sure to check the table below before selecting which pin to use. If connecting pins other than reinforced connecting pins are used, or if a reinforced connecting pin or tool which is not suitable for the type of chain is used, sufficient connection force may not be obtained, which could cause the chain to break or fall off.

• If it is necessary to adjust the length of the chain due to a change in the number of sprocket teeth, make the cut at some other place than the place where the chain has been joined using a reinforced connecting pin or an end pin. The chain will be damaged if it is cut at a place where it has been joined with a reinforced connecting pin or an end pin.

• Check that the tension of the chain is correct and that the chain is not damaged. If the tension is too weak or the chain is damaged, the chain should be replaced. If this is not done, the chain may break and cause serious injury.

• Obtain and read the service instructions carefully prior to installing the parts. Loose, worn or damaged parts may cause the bicycle to fall over and serious injury may occur as a result. We strongly recommend only using genuine Shimano replacement parts.

• Read these Technical Service Instructions carefully, and keep them in a safe place for later reference.

Note

• If gear shifting operations do not feel smooth, wash the derailleur and lubricate all moving parts.

• If the amount of looseness in the links is so great that adjustment is not possible, you should replace the derailleur.

• You should periodically clean the derailleur and lubricate all moving parts (mechanism and pulleys).

• If gear shifting adjustment cannot be carried out, check the degree of parallelism at the rear end of the bicycle. Also check if the cable is lubricated and if the outer casing is too long or too short.

• If you hear abnormal noise as a result of looseness in a pulley, you should replace the pulley.

• If the chain keeps coming off the sprockets during use, replace the sprockets and the chain.

• Use a frame with internal cable routing is strongly discouraged as it has tendencies to impair the SIS shifting function due to its high cable resistance.

• Always be sure to use the sprocket set bearing the same group marks. Never use in combination with a sprocket bearing a different group mark.

• Use an outer casing which still has some length to spare even when the handlebars are turned all the way to both sides. Furthermore, check that the shifting lever does not touch the bicycle frame when the handlebars are turned all the way.

• A special grease is used for the gear shifting cable (SISSP41). Do not use DURA-ACE grease or other types of grease, otherwise they may cause deterioration in gear shifting performance.

• Grease the inner cable and the inside of the outer casing before use to ensure that they slide properly.

• For smooth operation, use the specified outer casing and the bottom bracket cable guide.

• Operation of the levers related to gear shifting should be made only when the front chainwheel is turning.

• Parts are not guaranteed against natural wear or deterioration resulting from normal use.

• For maximum performance we highly recommend Shimano lubricants and maintenance products

• For any questions regarding methods of installation, adjustment, maintenance or operation, please contact a professional bicycle dealer.

Chain toolChain

9-speed super narrow

chain such as

CN-7701 / CN-HG93

8- / 7-/6-speed narrow

chain such as

CN-HG50 / CN-HG40

Reinforced

connecting pin

TL-CN32 /TL-CN27

6.5mm

7.1mm

Silver

Black

One Holland, Irvine, California 92618, U.S.A. Phone: +1-949-951-5003

Industrieweg 24, 8071 CT Nunspeet, The Netherlands Phone: +31-341-272222

3-77 Oimatsu-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka 590-8577, Japan

Please note: specifications are subject to change for improvement without notice.(English) © Sep. 2008 by Shimano Inc. XBC SZK Printed in Japan.

This service instruction explains how to use and maintain the Shimano bicycle parts which have been used on your new bicycle. For any questions regarding your bicycle or other matters which are not related to Shimano parts, please contact the place of purchase or the bicycle manufacturer.

Technical Service Instructions SI-5VZ0A-001

RD-M971

Reinforced Connecting Pin

End Pin Link Pin

Group marks

Series

RAPIDFIRE (Shifting lever)

Outer casing

Rear derailleur

Type

Freehub

Gears

Cassette sprocket

Chain

Bottom bracket guide

In order to realize the best performance, we recommend that the following combination be used.

Specifications

Model number

Type

Gears

Total capacity

Largest sprocket

Smallest sprocket

Front chainwheel tooth difference

RD-M971

SGS

43T

34T

11T

22T

Rear Derailleur

33T

34T

11T

22T

Cutting the outer casing

After cutting the outer casing, make the end round so that the inside of the hole has a uniform diameter.

Attach the same outer end cap to the cut end of the outer casing.

Outer end cap

* If the rear derailleur moves to a large degree, such as in

bicycles with rear suspension, it is recommended that you replace the cap with the accessory aluminum cap.

The end of the outer casing which has the aluminum cap should be at the derailleur side.

Aluminum cap

Derailleur side

XTR

SL-M970

SIS-SP41

RD-M971

SGS / GS

FH-M975 / FH-M970

CS-M970

CN-7701

SM-SP17 / SM-BT17

Gear shifting operation

The INSTANT RELEASE mechanism makes fast releasing possible because cable tension is released immediately when a lever is depressed. The levers are also equipped with 2-WAY RELEASE and MULTI RELEASE mechanisms so that you can now shift two gears with a single operation, either by pushing or pulling the lever.

Both lever (A) and lever (B) always return to the initial position when they are released after shifting. When operating one of the levers, always be sure to turn the crank arm at the same time.

These Service Instructions describe the operation method when using the RAPIDFIRE SL-M970 in combination with the RD-M971 top normal-type rear derailleur. If using in combination with a reverse spring-type derailleur, the operations will be reversed.

To shift from a small sprocket to a larger sprocket (Lever A)

You can vary the lever stroke to shift the desired number of gears, so that to shift by one gear only, move the lever to the (1) position, and to shift by two gears at one time, move the lever to the (2) position. A maximum two-gear shift can be made in this manner.

To shift from a large sprocket to a smaller sprocket (Lever B)

Lever (A) initial position Levier (B)

• 2-WAY RELEASE

• MULTI RELEASE

The sealed cap with tongue and the rubber shield should be installed to the outer casing stopper of the frame.

Rubber shield

Be careful not to bend

Sealed cap with tongue

4. How to use the B-tension adjustment screw

Mount the chain on the smallest chainring and the largest sprocket, and turn the crank arm backward. Then turn the B-tension adjustment screw to adjust the guide pulley as close to the sprocket as possible but not so close that it touches. Next, set the chain to the smallest sprocket and repeat the above to make sure that the pulley does not touch the sprocket.

Largest sprocket Smallest sprocket

B-tension

adjustment screw

Installation of the rear derailleur

When installing, be careful not to let the B-tension adjustment screw come into contact with the dropout tab, otherwise deformation may result.

Bracket spindle Tightening torque :

8 - 10 N·m {70 - 86 in. lbs.}

5 mm Allen key

Dropout tab

B-tension adjustment screw

Chain length on bicycles with rear suspension

The length of A will vary depending on the movement of the rear suspension. Because of this, an excessive load may be placed on the drive system if the chain length is too short. Set the length of the chain by adding two links to the chain when the rear suspension is at a position where dimension "A" is longest and the chain is on the largest sprocket and the largest chainring. If the amount of movement of the rear suspension is large, the slack in the chain may not be taken up properly when the chain is on the smallest chainring and smallest sprocket.

Add 2 links (with the chain on both the largest sprocket and the largest chainring)

Largest

sprocket

Chain

Largest

chainring

Tightening torque :

3 N·m {27 in. lbs.}

4 mm Allen key

Inboard Outboard

Use a handlebar grip with a maximum outer diameter of 32 mm.

Installation of the shifting lever

This shifting lever can be installed on either the inboard or the outboard side of the brake lever.

Connect the cable to the rear derailleur and, after taking up the initial slack in the cable, re-secure to the rear derailleur as shown in the illustration.

Pull

Tightening torque :

5 - 7 N·m {44 - 60 in. lbs.}

Groove

Note: Be sure that the cable is

securely in the groove.

1. Top adjustment

Turn the top adjustment screw to adjust so that the guide pulley is in line with the outer line of the smallest sprocket when looking from the rear.

SIS Adjustment

Top adjustment

screw

Outer line of smallest sprocket

Guide pulley

2. Connection and securing of the inner cable

Operate the lever (B) eight times or more to set the lever to the highest position. Then remove the inner hole cover and connect the inner cable.

Install the inner hole cover by turning it as shown in the illustration until it stops. Do not turn it any further than this, otherwise it may damage the thread on the cover.

Inner hole cover

Inner cable

Lever (B)

Tightening torque :

0.3 - 0.5 N·m {3 - 4 in. lbs.}

3. Low adjustment

Turn the low adjustment screw so that the guide pulley moves to a position directly in line with the largest sprocket.

Guide pulley

Largest

sprocket

Low adjustment

screw

5. SIS Adjustment

Operate the shifting lever several times to move the chain to the 2nd sprocket. Then, while pressing the lever just enough to take up the play in the lever, turn the crank arm.

When shifting to 3rd

Tighten the outer casing adjustment barrel until the chain returns to the 2nd sprocket. (clockwise)

Loosen the outer casing adjustment barrel until the chain touches the 3rd sprocket and makes noise. (counter clockwise)

When no sound at all is heard

Best setting

The best setting is when the shifting lever is operated just enough to take up the play and the chain touches the 3rd sprocket and makes noise.

* Return the lever to its original position (the position where

the lever is at the 2nd sprocket setting and it has been released) and then turn the crank arm clockwise. If the chain is touching the 3rd sprocket and making noise, turn the outer casing adjustment barrel clockwise slightly to tighten it until the noise stops and the chain runs smoothly.

Operate lever to change gears, and check that no noise occurs in any of the gear positions.

For the best SIS performance, periodically lubricate all power-transmission parts.

Adjustment bolt Adjustment bolt

Tightening torque :

2.5 N·m {22 in. lbs.}

Shifting lever position is adjustable by sliding to left or right.

• Install the shifting lever in a position where it will not obstruct brake operation and gear shifting operation.

• Do not use in a combination which causes brake operation to be obstructed.

• When installing the components to carbon frame/handle bar surfaces, verify with the manufacturer of the carbon frame/parts for their recommendation on tightening torque in order to prevent over tightening that can cause damage to the carbon material and/or under tightening that can cause lack of fixing strength for the components.

SI-5VZ0A-001-00