Bicycle Mechanics - Loose Chain???

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Tool
08-13-03, 08:09 PM
Not yet being mechanically inclined to work on my bike as of yet, I took my bike in today for a "tuneup".

When riding home I noticed that my chain would be hitting my bike in certain gears.

It seems like my chain is too loose, but I'm not sure if there is such an animal. There is nothing wrong with the chain, as it's only four months old.

So, is there such a thing as a person's bike chain being too loose; and if there is, how can I tighten it?

TIA.

Steve

djbowen1
08-13-03, 08:11 PM
Road bike, MTB, Fixed? Bmx?
OregonBound
08-13-03, 08:14 PM
Hi Tool,

It is possible to have too many links in a chain, in which case you would simply remove one or more. It sound more like this is a case of incorrect adjustment of deraillures. Without more details, it is hard to know exactly what to tell you to change. My first thought is to just take it back to the shop and politely ask them to fix it.

Paul

Chi
08-13-03, 10:32 PM
How old is the chain?
MichaelW
08-14-03, 02:58 AM
Check out
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQchainlength.shtml
Bruco
08-14-03, 05:58 AM
I think that in certain gears, it is not abnormal for a road bike chain to hit the chain stay. This won't happen on a smooth surface, though, but on bumps.

There are several chain stay protectors on the market (stickers, neoprene 'guards'), which can be easily put on, especially if you have straight chain stays. Curved ones are a little bit more complicated.
Chi
08-14-03, 07:53 PM
I should read the entire post carefully next time. :p

The chain's probably too long. Try taking out two links and see if the problem still exists.