Ivan Hanz

This happens too much to me. It left me in a rainstorm 5 miles from home last night. Usually it occurs when I'm really cranking, for instance from a stop-light in too big of a gear, or up a short steep incline, I'll really be mashing (and probably turning), and the rear wheel will skew itself in the drop-out. That of course changes the V brake geometry and greatly increases drag. But since I'm evidently a simpleton, I say, "gosh this hill's steep" and peddle even harder. That's usually when the chain snaps. I hate fixing broken chains, but especially hate it in cold rain.

I've tried loosening the quick release skewer, I've tried tightening it too, that hasn't helped. The bike's a Specialized Rockhopper (hardtail), and the drop-outs don't appear damaged or anything. If horizontal drop-outs are 90 degrees, vertical 180, these are probably 135 degrees. If any of that matters.

Thanks for any advice!

powers2b

The axle may be too long preventing the QR from gripping the drop-out properly.

webist

Tis is a problem I would take to the LBS quickly. Are you just buying replacement parts (chain) and installing yourself or have you asked the LBS what's up?

MichaelW

It may be that the axle is off-centre, one side sticks out proud from the dropout surface so your QR does not work at both ends. If this is the case re-set your cup/cones to give equal length each size.

cascade168

Exactly. What's likely happenning is that when you lean on the right pedal the chain is pulling hard on the rear cog. If your QR axle is protruding (or, even flush) with the right side dropout, the wheel will pull out of the dropout, just as you describe. The axle end must be at least 1-2mm less than flush with the outside of the dropout on both ends. Check this first. You may have to either re-center the axle on the hub (that would be if the right end is flush, or outside the dropout, and the the left end is well inside the dropout), or, cut some off the axle. You want to have 1-2mm from the ends of the axle to the outside surfaces of the dropouts, and, they should be the same on both ends.

Ivan Hanz

This seems logical and likely. I will work on this first. Thanks to all.

sydney

There are also different types of skewers.You may be using an improper one.Sheldon Brown has the skinny on them.

Ivan Hanz

I use the one that came with the bike, although I've replaced the hub/wheel along the way. (But the hub size shouldn't really matter, should it?) And Webist, yes I d.i.y. (d.i.m.?) with parts from the lbs. I would assume as it's a mass-produced product I'm getting the right sized stuff though.

xylx

before you get all excited go get a star washer for like .05 cents. Local hardware store should have one. It looks like a washer only thinner and has serrated edges. Put it between the nut on the quick release and the frame. It will give you the "purchase" you may need to make the quick release grip the frame. I had the same problem with a Real hub. I put one inside and on the outside on the drive side (the side that gets torqued) and it fixed it real good like.