Originally Posted by
electrik
You can try to increase the tension by shortening the chain or adjusting the b-screw. But what also may be happening is the derailleur is not properly aligned. Normally this doesn't show up, but when the chain rides a tiny bit it tends to shift, another idea is their is ice inside the derailleur in this case you can't do much unless you've got a friction shifter option to trim the derailleur.
Apply a lot of chain lube also.
Thanks! I'll try shortening the chain as it does seem rather slack. I beat up my bike, but it's pretty well aligned.
Originally Posted by
nubcake
can you run full coverage fenders, they make life much more bearable in wet conditions and keep the vast majority of road grit/salt/snow off your bike
yeah, I have planet's freddy fenders. Helps with water, not so much with the snow.
Originally Posted by
GriddleCakes
+1 on the full coverage fenders, they help. But if you ride in deep enough snow, you'll pack the rear cassette with snow eventually, which might be what's happening. If the chain is still grabbing the chainrings, then the problem is at the back of the drivetrain, and it's a pretty common one for snow cyclists.
When riding in deep enough snow to be kicked up into the cassette, I just pick a gear and stay there; as long as the chain doesn't change cogs then the cog you're on will stay usable and the chain won't skip.
lol, i think the deep snow is the problem as my deraileure was dragging in the snow at some points.
Good idea on picking and sticking with one rear gear! I hadn't thought of that. I'll just use the front rings as my commute is pretty hilly.
The attached photo is a couple years old and only shows the caking on the derail, but the snow recently has been deeper and wetter and now cakes on the cassette too.
electrik suggested keeping the chain lube, but is there a lube on the market that specifically helps with ice/snow?
Thanks all!