Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Originally Posted by
MojojoM
Had something happen to me three times this week. My chain locked up totally. I was hearing a rather odd noise on every revolution of my pedals days before. The guy at the bike shop told me that my chain had stretched and it was slapping on the front derailleur when I was in certain gears. He replaced the chain and told me that the old one was a link an a half too long.
Now when the chain is on the larger outer ring on the front and the large inner ring on the back and I try to change to a smaller gear on the back or a smaller gear on the front everything locks up. Occasionally I can continue to pedal, but it grinds endlessly. The chain appears to be way too tight. I never had this problem before. When I say never - I have had this bike since 1985. It is a Raleigh Touring 18 with loads of miles. This never happened until the chain was changed. Obviously I'm thinking the chain is now too short. However I can ride quite a while with the chain in the position mentioned above. It only happens when I begin to change gears. Any thoughts - other than the chain being to short?
A chain that is sized incorrectly and is too short can destroy a derailleur and disable a bike, leaving you stranded or worse. I would take the bike back to the LBS before using it again. Ask the make & model of the chain being used also. It sounds like you have a 3x6 drivetrain, the shop might have used a chain made for another type of drivetrain. If they used something that was on the shelf and did not use the right chain for an older bike, this can also cause problems.
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