Bicycle Mechanics - Problems with my chain

hi everyone

I'm thick when it comes to bikes by the way, hence me asking for help!

I have a Ridgeback bike, not used it very much, cost me quite alot.

I took the bike for a service to my local bike shop and they fixed a few things, however, my chain feels like it slips when I'm out on it. The guy in the shop said it was the gear wire, stretching, and he told me to turn a little knob on the gear thing. I do that, but it's not helping, I think there's something wrong with my chain... What do all you experts think?

There are other possibilities, but I think that your local bike shop guy hit upon the most likely one.

Rather than continuing to fumble around aimlessly, goto the Park Tool website and look up rear derailleur adjustment. The place where most inexperienced guys go wrong is to kind of jump into the adjustment process somewhere in the middle. Something is wrong with your bike so assume that the very first step was done wrong until proven otherwise. Then go on from there. My bet is that if you do that, you'll find and fix the problem.

Does the chain slip as in jumps from one gear to the other without you shifting, or does the chain slip as in it feels like its not engaging the teeth properly?

Does the chain slip as in jumps from one gear to the other without you shifting, or does the chain slip as in it feels like its not engaging the teeth properly?

Yes, it's like it's not engaging the teeth - But I'm not sure. When I put any pressure on the pedals to get some speed, it jumps, and it happens at the same time when I pedal, therefore I think it must be something wrong with the chain.

There are other possibilities, but I think that your local bike shop guy hit upon the most likely one.

Rather than continuing to fumble around aimlessly, goto the Park Tool website and look up rear derailleur adjustment. The place where most inexperienced guys go wrong is to kind of jump into the adjustment process somewhere in the middle. Something is wrong with your bike so assume that the very first step was done wrong until proven otherwise. Then go on from there. My bet is that if you do that, you'll find and fix the problem.

Thanks very much for your help! I've taken a look at the website but it scared me! I think I'll just take it to the shop for them to look at it again, I don't wanna do anything that might make it worse! Thanks for your help!

Could be a worn cassette or worn chain or both.

Could be a worn cassette or worn chain or both.




Or alternatively, the guys at the bike shop could tell you that and talk you into repacing them when they don't really need to be replaced. Beware :rolleyes: .

hi everyone

I'm thick when it comes to bikes by the way, hence me asking for help!

I have a Ridgeback bike, not used it very much, cost me quite alot.

I took the bike for a service to my local bike shop and they fixed a few things, however, my chain feels like it slips when I'm out on it. The guy in the shop said it was the gear wire, stretching, and he told me to turn a little knob on the gear thing. I do that, but it's not helping, I think there's something wrong with my chain... What do all you experts think?Give the Sheldon Brown like a try and see if that's the issue you're having.

Here are the definitive words on chain maintenance and when to replace a chain. This should really be a sticky due to so many chain questions.

Sheldon Brown:
http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Lennard Zinn - Everything you ever wanted to know about dirty chains:
http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/5610.0.html
Very good article! Suggests replacing at 1/16" stretch.

Lennard Zinn - Chain wear:
http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/5457.0.html
Suggests replacing at 1,500 miles and before 1/8" stretch.

Park Tool - CC-3 Chain Checker:
http://www.parktool.com/tools/CC_3.shtml
The CC-3 is a "Go, No-Go" gauge designed to accurately indicate when a chain reaches 0.75% and 1% wear.

CC-3 here for $10:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=99&subcategory=1234&brand=&sku=11164&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Or alternatively, the guys at the bike shop could tell you that and talk you into repacing them when they don't really need to be replaced. Beware :rolleyes: .




This is a good point if you dont know what to look for. It pays to learn at least a minimum amount of basic maintenence on your bike. That way you can tell when an LBS mech is telling you need something when actually it might just be his opinion.

Checking chain wear and wether the cassette needs replacing is pretty basic, in my book. The O.P. would do well to learn how to do routine repairs and adjustments on his bike/s.