Bicycle Mechanics - Grinding Inside When I pedal...

ok - I checked out Sheldons page first, so hopefully I wont get that answer back (unless I missed an article). I am a novice though, so I might not know where to look

I have a Sedona DX, with grip shifters. When I am in the middle chain ring, and in the middle sprocket (5 on the grip shifter), I feel a distinct grinding sensation in the cranks when I pedal.

It is somewhat bizarre because I have not felt it in any other gear combination, and I can't hear anything, but I sure feel it.

My local LBS was not much help, he said he felt it (a little bit) and that if it got worse, to bring it back in.

The problem is, I tend to spend a lot of time in the setup (novice remember ?), and it drives me nuts !!!

I have the Zinni book for MTB, and I have checked a few places, but I have not seen this symptom described anywhere.

Any thoughts ?

Since it only does it in one gear it doesn't sound like a bearing problem. I realize you said it only happens in one combination, but I have to ask what happens when you go to the next smaller rear cog (next higher gear, maybe 6 in your shifter)? If it still does it at the higher gear, check to see that the chain is not rubbing on the front derailleur. Another half click or so might move the der over enough to get it in trim. If it really, really only happens in the one gear it could be that the rear derailleur is just not quite lined up directly under the cog so it's almost trying to shift to another gear. In either case it is probably just a matter of adjusting one or both of the derailleurs.

How many miles on the bike? If it is fairly new the shifter cables settle in, sometimes referred to as stretch, producing a tiny bit of slack. For this reason, most shops offer a free adjustment at about 300 miles.

I bought it in June, but I am over 200 miles. It has not always done this, so I suspect it is starting to slack a bit.

I am almost positive it does not do it in 6, but I will check tomorrow morning.

Now that you mention it, it does kind of have that starting to shift grind to it, or the feel that it has when it is a half-click off, wierd that there is no noise, it must be barely misaligned.

Very cool tips though, I will check the surrounding gears again, and read up on aligning the derailers.

Thanks !!

Sounds like it's just time for the standard new bike "tune up". Your LBS should do it for you as part of the purchase.