Rear Derailleur Limit Screws Guide and Titanium Pivot Bolt Upgrade

Rear derailleur limit screws set the outer boundaries of chain travel. Misadjusted, the chain drops off. Here is what riders ask most.

Which Screw Is H and Which Is L?

H: Limits travel toward the smallest cog. Too loose = chain drops off. Turn clockwise to restrict.

L: Limits travel toward the largest cog. Too loose = chain overshoots into spokes. On Shimano rear derailleurs H is upper, L is lower.

How to Set Rear Limits

Disconnect cable. Shift by hand to smallest cog, adjust H to center the jockey under it. Push to largest cog, adjust L to center under it. Reconnect cable, then B-tension and indexing. Limits first.

Pivot Bolt Weight Savings

FAQ

Do limit screws affect shift feel?

No — boundaries only. Cable tension and B-tension control shift quality.

Can I swap pivot bolts without affecting shifting?

Yes — match thread and length. Pivot bolts are fasteners, not adjustment parts.

When to recheck limits?

After new derailleur, cassette size change, or hanger bend. Otherwise they hold.