chain slippage in the snow?

[scott L R]

Today was first ride this year in snow, 5 mile ride in 8 inches of fresh snow. Chain was slipping, jumpping a tooth or 2. Is this due to snow? I have 2200 miles on the chain + cassette, never noticed this before. Thanks. Scott.

[Jean Beetham Smith]

Most likely due to some of the links freezing because of moisture from the snow. Usually the friction of riding will warm them enough to solve the problem, but it may be more of a problem if the temp is below 14F/-10C. Water-based lubes may not do as well at those temps, I have good luck with Pedro's Extra Dry. Also the cables may stick in the housings at those temps and you may need to "trim" your shifting. Finally, be sure to lube the pivot points of Der's. If it is a very heavy, wet snow you may have to stop and physically brush off the drive train. This should also get off some of the sand and salt that will interfer with shifting. Snow biking is like riding in mud, you can't expect a clogged chain to work like it would on a road bike on a fine day.

I would add that 2200 miles is further than I usually get out of a chain. I use a chain checker and rarely get more than 1100 miles on a chain, even with religious cleaning and lubing. I would check your chain and replace it if needed, and possibly cassette if it is worn also.

[Michel Gagnon]

Could be, or could be a frozen cassette.

By "frozen", I mean having a cassette full of heavy wet snow or ice, onto which the chain slides.

Been there, done that. A couple of times actually, in icing rain.

Regards,

[ollo_ollo]

If the problem persists when normal conditions return you could have some twisted links on your chain. This is what I found was causing chain slipping & skipping on my Bianchi. Don

[temp1]

The only time I have had my chain slip is at the end of my cassette's life