Bicycle Mechanics - Two month old bike, has my chain expanded?

Hello,

My bike is about two months old. After I've been riding for a while the chain seems to be slipping out of place. I can back peddle and stop it, but then it starts up again down the road. I can't explain the sounds except it sounds like when I change gears. I don't know much about bikes, how can I fix it myself?

Thanks much
Kris

What kind of bike?

Adjust your rear derailer.

It's a Specialized Crossroad.

First, clean your chain. If that doesn't work, tighten the rear derailleur cable one quarter turn of the barrel adjuster at a time until the noise stops.

If the bike is that new, take it back to the dealer for an adjustment which should be included in the original deal. Watch what the mechanic does and ask him to explain it.

Thank you for your responses. I will try and tighten the cable. I didn't buy my bike local so can not easily take it back to the dealer. I moved and the dealer is 2 1/2 hours away unfortunately :( So I'm trying to take care of things myself. I'll learn, guess I should get myself a good how to book.

Thanks again
Kris

Kris, there are several web sites that contain exhaustive repair advice: sheldonbrown.com has tons of long articles as well as an INCREDIBLE bike glossary. parktool.com/repairhelp has specific illustrated step-by-step repair help. As for books, I recommend the book "Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bike Maintenance and REpair". Costs about $15, and it's very complete yet suitable for a beginner.

The guides at http://www.parktools.com should get you started until you get your book.

Haha, moxfyre, you're a pretty quick typist, arent you? :D

The guides at http://www.parktools.com should get you started until you get your book.

:D

actually it can spare you from buying a book.

actually it can spare you from buying a book.
Having a book in front of you when you actually TRY a repair for the first time can be really helpful. That Bicycling Magazine book was really great for me. I could spread it out on the table and follow the pictures as I figured out my way around the various bike parts. My copy has greasy thumbprints on the cover and many pages :)

You can always ask on this forum. However to get an answer that makes any sense, you need to be specific about the description of the relevant components on your bike.

I tightened the rear derailleur and that helped. Thanks for everyones response.

Thanks
Kris

Sloane's book says the links are exactly 1/2" apart, and measuring with ruler while chain is still on the bike, if it's 12-1/16" along 24 lengths then it has expanded 1/16 inch per foot and that's the point where it needs replacement.

Sloane's book says the links are exactly 1/2" apart, and measuring with ruler while chain is still on the bike, if it's 12-1/16" along 24 lengths then it has expanded 1/16 inch per foot and that's the point where it needs replacement.

More likely the whole drivetrain. It is also way easier to get an accurate measure with one of the many chain checkers.

More likely the whole drivetrain. It is also way easier to get an accurate measure with one of the many chain checkers.
No, if you only let your chain wear to 12-1/16" (about 0.5% enlogation) before replacement, you WON'T have to replace the rest of the drivetrain. One cassette should last several chains at that rate. If you let your chain stretch to 12-1/8" or more, however, you'll probably have to replace your cassette/freewheel. And it takes a whole lot of sustained abuse to wear out chainrings.

Not really. A little lack of lube, one dusty day, no maintenance and you can see a shot ring in 1500 miles. Most people only use one ring and two or three cogs, this leads to a screwed drivetrain pretty quick. Since most cyclists are as familiar with lube as a hippy is water(or decent music) it happens pretty quick. But I base this on experience rather than the internet so I am probably wrong.

Not really. A little lack of lube, one dusty day, no maintenance and you can see a shot ring in 1500 miles. Most people only use one ring and two or three cogs, this leads to a screwed drivetrain pretty quick. Since most cyclists are as familiar with lube as a hippy is water(or decent music) it happens pretty quick. But I base this on experience rather than the internet so I am probably wrong.
Weird... I took terrible care of my bike in college and had to replace the freewheel at least twice due to skipping cogs. I'd estimate I rode it 5-10,000 miles without lubrication, in all manner of Upstate New York foulness, and never had a problem with the chainrings.

More recently, I let the chain on my commuter get too stretched and wrecked the cassette in about 3000 miles. New cassette and new chain now, and it's as smooth as can be. No sign of any problems with the chainrings.

Now multiply your bike by 30,000+ and you get where I am.
Fact is, as far as the Op goes, the only way you wear your chain in two months is to ride a century a day every day.

I moved and the dealer is 2 1/2 hours away unfortunately :(


Is it possible to take it to any authorized Specialized dealer?