Bicycle Mechanics - cogs clicking

i recently cleaned my chain and now the middle gears seemed to be "off" a bit???

can cleaning the chain affect the alignment of the rear derailleur???

i used an "on-the-chain" cleaning device from park tools.
and then re-greased with a dry lubricant (finish line).

it seems like the chain is trying to jump sprockets??

should i just take it in to have it re-aligned. i don't have much experience with the rear derailleur...hi & lo limit screws, B-screw :confused:

thanks for the help.
-jason

A couple of twists of the barrel adjuster should fix your problem. However, knowing which way to turn it is the key.

If you're skittish about doing this yourself, ask an experienced friend, or head on over to your LBS for a proper adjustment.

Do-it-yourself:

1) Hold the bike up and turn the crank to see if the chain is trying to move up or down the cogset. Make sure the shifter is in the correct position, i.e. matching the correct cog. This is difficult to do while riding, BTW.

2) If the chain is trying to skip up to a bigger cog, turn the barrel adjuster clockwise 1 or 2 clicks. This should shorten the cable, thereby reducing tension slightly.

3) If the chain is trying to skip down to a smaller cog, you need to lengthen the cable by turning the adjuster out. Turn it 1 or 2 clicks counter-clockwise.

4) Not working?? Get help.

Also, if you haven't replaced your chain and/or cogset in a while, it may be time. A worn cogset and chain will reduce shifting performance, cause skipping and wear your chainrings faster.

Cleaning the chain shouldn't have any effect on the RD.

If it's trying to jump sprockets, that is a sign of cable tension. There is a adjustment barrell on the RD where the cable is. While turning the cranks, twist this barrell a small amount --either up or down-- until the noise stops.

The Hi & Lo adjusmtent screws are only for the travel of the DR to keep it from jumping off the Large cog into the spokes or the small cog into the gap between cassette and the frame. They serve no other function. Don't use them to adjust your noise problem.

Originally posted by ljbike
Cleaning the chain shouldn't have any effect on the RD.


this is what you'd think. and it's a fairly new bike too. the chain was pretty much silent prior...just a bunch of dirt & grime.

i will try the above ideas. i appreciate it!!

thanks,
-jason

Check the chain carefully for a bad link - ya, it's new, but still...

Maybe when you clean the chain, some grit got into a link. That would cause the exact problem you describe.

You will probably note some rythm to the skipping problem as well.

pedal, pedal Kachink! like that.

Originally posted by mike
Check the chain carefully for a bad link - ya, it's new, but still...

Maybe when you clean the chain, some grit got into a link. That would cause the exact problem you describe.

You will probably note some rythm to the skipping problem as well.

pedal, pedal Kachink! like that.

hey mike, actually, there is a rythm. although i did double check the chain for bad rivets, i'll look again to be sure.

thanks again for the help!
-jason