Mountain Biking - Avoiding Chain Slap?

what is the best/easiest way to prevent chain slap? whenever im riding over roots or bumps the chain slaps the chain stay:confused: my bike does it alot worse than any of my friends.

Turn it into a singlespeed. :D

No, dont do that. You can get a chainstay protector or just make your own. What I did was cut a footlong of an innertube, wrapped it around my chainstay and duct taped it really well. Havent heard it slap since.

Originally posted by booyah
Turn it into a singlespeed. :D

Arg....

cool i just made a chainstay protector out of some neoprene material and zip ties. MUCH BETTER:D thanks

Take a couple links out of your chain.

Originally posted by booyah
Turn it into a singlespeed. :D

what is this "singlespeed" you speak of?

Originally posted by Spectra
Take a couple links out of your chain.

how do you know if you have too many OR too few links in your chain?

Originally posted by Drew360
how do you know if you have too many OR too few links in your chain?

My opinion is that you should have just enough chain length to get in and out of the large chainring/large cog gear. I know that is cross-gearing, but you should still be able to get in and out of that gear.

Lizardskin makes a velcro chainstay protector that is pretty cool. I use on on my Scalpel because the chainstays are carbon.

Originally posted by mightypudge
My opinion is that you should have just enough chain length to get in and out of the large chainring/large cog gear. I know that is cross-gearing, but you should still be able to get in and out of that gear.

Lizardskin makes a velcro chainstay protector that is pretty cool. I use on on my Scalpel because the chainstays are carbon.


im kind of confused. so do you take off a link at a time? how do you know if you take out too many? isnt the derailer (i think thats what it is called) in the back spring loaded? does it have to be in a certain spot or angle so you know the chain is the right size?

i am lost:confused: need help lol:D

You probably shouldn't start messing with your chain length. Provided it was put together by someone at a bike shop it was done right. Anything other than that would be going further and further away from that so-called 'right way.' Chainstay protector or a chain tensioner if you do a lot of big hit stuff will work just fine. I cut up some old grips and used them as a chainstay guard.

Originally posted by killerasp
what is this "singlespeed" you speak of?

Friday afternoon frustration... mind you, it sure is nice to maintain a bike without all those nasty derailleur problems sometimes!


Originally posted by Drew360
im kind of confused. so do you take off a link at a time? how do you know if you take out too many? isnt the derailer (i think thats what it is called) in the back spring loaded? does it have to be in a certain spot or angle so you know the chain is the right size?

i am lost:confused: need help lol:D

Try reading this.... (http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQchainlength.shtml)

Good description of how to adjust, and pictures to show you what it should look like.

Originally posted by DiL
You probably shouldn't start messing with your chain length. Provided it was put together by someone at a bike shop it was done right. Anything other than that would be going further and further away from that so-called 'right way.' Chainstay protector or a chain tensioner if you do a lot of big hit stuff will work just fine. I cut up some old grips and used them as a chainstay guard.

the bike wasnt built by a shop, it came out of the box partially assembled, and the chain was already on.

Originally posted by booyah
Friday afternoon frustration... mind you, it sure is nice to maintain a bike without all those nasty derailleur problems sometimes!



Try reading this.... (http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQchainlength.shtml)

Good description of how to adjust, and pictures to show you what it should look like.

that is an awesome link! thanks bro that clears up alot.:D

You can also temporarily get rid of chainslap when you're going down an extended downhill by putting your chain on the two largest gears (outer chainring, inner rear cog). This will put your chain under the most tension and prevent the chain from hitting the chainstay. However, don't put ANY load on this chain configuration because it's seriously crossed-out and if you do you will put undue stress on the chain and promote wear.

Here are a few pics of mine:

Another:

Last one:

Originally posted by Drew360
what is the best/easiest way to prevent chain slap? whenever im riding over roots or bumps the chain slaps the chain stay:confused: my bike does it alot worse than any of my friends.

On your descents, shift into the big ring.

here is the one i made. i still want to check my chain length, im curious if its right.

is that blue duct-tape troie??

I waste a lot of tubes riding the commute, so I use the old tubes to substitute for the Lizard Skins deal. I cut them to size and zip-tie them to the chainstay. It looks kinda cool actually. I'm sure someone's already posted this solution, but I think it looks better than duck tape. ;)