Road Cycling - chain keeps derailing in front

I know this is a very noobish question to ask but...
I just got my Specialized Allez Sport last weekend and I've been loving it except that sometimes when I shift down to the hill climb gear it completely derails, and that's a pretty bad situation going uphill.
Anyone experience the same or have any suggestions?

Thanks.

It's a relatively minor adjustment.... but if your not certain how, take to the LBS and let them do it. Should be quick and free.

g'day,

as 'grampy' says, a minor adjustment...2 minutes in the LBS or you can do it yourself. The problem is the front derailuer is pushing the chain across to far. The remedy on Shimano (sorry I don't know how the spaghetti gruppo handles this adjustment!) is the adjustment screws on the derailuer. depending on which model gruppo you have, but it's likely there sre 2 little screws. As you turn them, watch which way the derailuer moves. you want it to go 'out' (toward the big ring). Adjust a 'little' then test, (while riding),adjust again if necessary. Also, try not to change to the small ring when in the smaller cogs at the rear, or under alot of pressure on the pedals,

cheers,

Hitchy

I had it happen to me when I tried to shift from the middle front ring to the smallest one while climbing. Chain derailled, I fell over (being a newbie to clipless pedals). I've since learned to not downshift like that during a climb, or to at least significantly let up on the pedals when doing so. It hasn't happened since.

It could just be a case of your low limit screw on the derailleur needing adjustment (I was just schooled on the forum in the past few days on adjusting derailleurs). Like Grampy said, take it back and let the people you bought it from tune it out for you.

I had it happen to me when I tried to shift from the middle front ring to the smallest one while climbing. Chain derailled, I fell over (being a newbie to clipless pedals). I've since learned to not downshift like that during a climb, or to at least significantly let up on the pedals when doing so. It hasn't happened since.

It could just be a case of your low limit screw on the derailleur needing adjustment (I was just schooled on the forum in the past few days on adjusting derailleurs). Like Grampy said, take it back and let the people you bought it from tune it out for you.

guys,
thanks a lot for the good advice.
I plan on taking my bike to the shop this weekend to have the derailleur checked up on.

I also definitely think that, being a noob, I am shifting incorrectly as I climb. You mentioned that you let up on the pedals to alleviate the tension on the chain first, then shift, then resume pedaling?

What other ways are there to attack hills?

Thanks in advance

When switching gears on the rear derailleur, I will momentarily pedal with less effort to get a smooth shift. You should be able to figure out by feel and sound how hard you can push and still get a smooth shift. If it sounds bad, chances are it's a more damaging shift then a smooth silent, one. I try to make all my shifts smooth unless I'm really hammering and don't want to let up. For changing gears on the front, I try to pick a gear before I hit the hill then stay in it the whole time using the rear derailleur to control my cadence. This takes knowing the hills so it's certainly not the best method and probably wouldn't work for a really long hill or during a race. If you have to downshift on the front during a hill, I'd suggest building up as much speed as possible before doing so to try and make the shift as smooth as possible. The faster you are spinning, the better the shift will be. If you are standing up on the pedals, do not try to shift as most likely, something will go wrong and you'll be on the ground quickly.

The remedy on Shimano (sorry I don't know how the spaghetti gruppo handles this adjustment!)

The spaghetti gruppo adjusts the same way as the rice grouppo :D