Bicycle Mechanics - Help with older Schwinn

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FLBandit
10-31-04, 07:58 AM
OK, I have an older Schwinn Caliente with 24" wheels that I bought for my daughter. Since the chain was pretty rusty I replaced it with one I bought at Wal-Mart. In test riding the bike I noticed that when I started to pedal hard I would hear a clunk, almost like a pedal hitting something. However this isn't what is happening. When the chain was off I checked the cassette and the crank. Both seemed to spin freely with no slop. When I pedal softly it works normally, the gears all work smoothly. Perhaps I have a bearing going out in the crank assembly? Do Wal-Mart chains not work on a Schwinn? Where should I investigate next? Thanks for any help in this matter!

dave_h
10-31-04, 02:45 PM
assuming that you bought a chain that is compatible with the number of gears on the bike, the most likely cause is that the chain is slipping off the sprockets. if a new chain is fitted to an old set of sprockets and vice versa, this often happens, beacuse some parts of the drivetrain are more worn than others. check for play in the bottom bracket though as well, but you may have to replace the rear gears.
halfbiked
10-31-04, 03:49 PM
Check for bent sprocket teeth, or a misaligned rear wheel. On our dumpster-bike three wheeler, it'll clunk under load. But the frame is slightly bent, so the chainline ain't perfect no more. Basically, the chain is just enough out of alignment that it will sometimes ride up on a sprocket tooth. When it slips & falls back onto the sprocket it makes a bit 'o noise.