Bicycle Mechanics - chain problems

while riding today the front half of my drivetrain started squeaking if i went above the sixth gear, and also the chain started skipping only above the middle gear. i looked for a link that wasn't bending but could find none. i tried relubing the chain but it did not stop the squeaking. Any ideas?

while riding today the front half of my drivetrain started squeaking if i went above the sixth gear, and also the chain started skipping only above the middle gear. i looked for a link that wasn't bending but could find none. i tried relubing the chain but it did not stop the squeaking. Any ideas?

Was it a squeak or a rub? I would start by checking the chain to see if it's worn out. You can do this with a tool, or via other methods. Here's an article that will tell you WAY more than you ever wanted to know about chain wear:

http://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-004/000.html

If your chain is good, perhaps your RD is squeaking and needs cleaning/lubrication? Let us know what you find out, and give us some more information regarding the problem.

... Brad

Great page! Should have had it during the recent chain flipping debate.

Great page! Should have had it during the recent chain flipping debate.

What debate? It was a chain flipping slap down!

If you have never re-lubed the idler sprockets/pulleys in the RD they may start to squeak. They usually run on plain bushings and will eventually dry out.

i will check the derailluer tomorrow, it could be a rub, since it only happens in certain gears and i have a chainguide. i believe the sounds are coming from the chainrings.

the squeek was the floating roller on the chainguide needed lubing. The chain issue is a link that is not bending, and i hate breaking a chain, so instead of re-attatching the chain minus a link can i just use a quick link? its a sram chain

can i just use a quick link? its a sram chain

Yeah, get the appropriate sram quicklink. Ironically the link is like $2 cheaper than a whole new PC48 chain.

is there anyway to loosen up the link

is there anyway to loosen up the link

The outer set of plates on your chain tool was made for this purpose.

The outer set of plates on your chain tool was made for this purpose.

what do you mean

it turns out that i have a shimano hg-50 chain and not a sram chain. Does shimano even have a quick link of some sort, or will i have to break and the reconnect the chain without a connector of some sort?

sheldon says to bend the link into a z shape and then flex it, i flexed it while it was straight, will this make a difference?

if it worked for you then not a problem, maybe the z shape gives you more mechanical leverage, but the straight line method has worked for me thus far.
:beer:

Edit: also, I believe what operator means by outer plates is the highest set of "rests" on the chain tool where there is room below it for the bottom plate to move with the pin as it is being pushed through the top plate

Hmm, that isn't very clear is it? maybe someone else can explain it better.

well i guess i have to try the z method tomorrow morning. how hard do you flex

If you can break the chain with your hands, it's worthless. Flex until you loosen it up.

The second shelf on the tool (or the only shelf for tools that have a removable anvil) can be used to loosen the new pin. Turn the chain around and place on second shelf. Press the pin back 1/4 turn. It will loosen the link right up.

thanks DMF the chain tool worked, it took all of five minutes to get it to work. The first attempt made it worse then it took me a while to get it into the chain tool but it finally worked. thanks guys