Hard shifting to large chainring(High)

Question
Hi,I am currently working on two bikes with the same problem,both have a 7spd cassette and a triple chainring.I have successfuly adjusted the front and rear deraillers on both bikes (I can shift them through all their gears)..The problem is when I shift up on the front derailler (from 2nd to 3rd),it is very hard to turn the grip shifter from 2 to 3 on bike 1 (or push the index shifter with your thumb from 2 to 3 on bike 2).Initially the cable tension doesn't seem too tight in low gear(with chain on large sprocket and small chain ring)but gets tighter on 2nd and becomes very much tighter when moving from 2to3.I and most men wouldn't mind this too much but these bikes both belong to women.(making it almost impossible to shift from 2 to 3)If I loosen the cable tension then obviously the derailler will not push the chain far enough to engage the larger chainring.I hope this is clear enough to understand and I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions on this ,,.Thanks VB

Answer
Vincent,

Just in case you haven't already found the answer to this, it sounds like it might be one of three things:

1.  Most likely, your large chainring limiter screw is a bit too restrictive.  Assuming you have a Shimano derailleur, look on top of it.  There should be two phillips head screw tops, one is labled "H" and one is labeled "L".  Try turning the "H" or "high" screw counterclockwise.  That should allow further movement by the derailleur arm to the outside.  Beware, however, that moving the chain too far to the outside will take the chain right off and you will have to stop and put the chain back on the chainring.  It is a fairly subtle adjustment that allows the chain to move up easily without too much tension and doesn't kick the chain off the chainring.

2.  The other possibility that happens occasionally is that your crankset is loose and has moved to the right, thus causing the derailleur to be misaligned.  Before adjusting the derailleur, tighten down the crank bolts.

3.  It could also be that the derailleur housings are dirty/rusty.  With time and use, rust and grime find their way into the derailleur housings.  Interference and friction cause the cable to refuse to slide easily and the friction increases the harder the cable is forced to slide through the muck (such as when you are exerting more effort to move the chain to the bigger ring).  If you have tried Nos. 1 and 2, above, try taking the bike in to the bike shop and have them take a look at your cable housings.

Hopefully this will work for you.  Please let me know if you have any questions...

Good Luck!

Graeme