Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Threw Another Chain

Started peddling up a hill from the apartment when it got steeper, so I shifted from middle ring low gear to little ring, low gear. The resistance was way too light, the chain slipped off. I coasted back down to the apartment expecting it to be a major ordeal, but I just squeezed the derailer a little and it slipped back on easily.

Is it safe to ride like this. Is the chain popping off something that is just a fact of life with multi-speed bikes?

The chain should not come off, even under a heavier pull. Something is not adjusted properly. It sounds like your low limit screw is not set properly. When I got my new bike a few months ago I got out on the road and had shifting problems. I limped back home and found some web sites on adjusting front derailleurs. There is a series of steps that work best if taken in order. Once you get it properly adjusted you will not need to give it another thought. In time the cables will stretch a little and you may need to tighten the cable a little.

The front derailer is not adjusted right. No biggy, onve it's adjusted it will be fine. I adjusted mine per Sheldon Browns site and it worked perfect. I don't have a link, but I'm sure someone else does.

Cool, thanks for the advice, twobikes and Caincando1. The bicycle was supposedly tuned by the person who sold it to me, then I paid $70 to an LBS for a tuneup so I figured it would be more big bucks, but looking at the websites, it's not a big deal.

I have the symptoms too, it is very hard to get it into the big gear, and slips off of the small one. I'll be back on the road by tomorrow it seems.

My brand new bike was supose to be adjusted and road ready. Between their poor job adjusting and cable stretch I needed to adjust the front derailer. I to was supprised how easy it was and how nice it is to have a bike that shift great.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html