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Chain issue....I think

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Old 06-12-21, 01:17 PM
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Chain issue....I think

So I have a Cannondale Synapse with a 3x10 Shimano 105 drive. Last fall I did major drivetrain maintenance, started with BB bearings, then decided it was due for a chain with 12 years and several thousand miles. I read here and other sites about new chain/old cassette issues, so I changed chain and cassette. I used the KMC reusable quick links.
. My problem is that when in the 2nd to usually 4th largest cogs, I get some skipping and ghost shifts. It does not do it on the largest cog. Issue is worst on the inner chainring, but bad on the middle ring too. Turning the crank by hand I can see a hop not in the quick link itself, but when a link or two around it goes over a cog. My thought is that either I tweaked a link slightly when shortening the new chain, or maybe the KMC link doesn't like to play nicely with the angles of a triple? I have a section of new chain leftover, and am thinking of cutting my current chain to eliminate the suspicious links, but then I'll have two quick links in there.
Thoughts?
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Old 06-12-21, 01:25 PM
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Confused. Did you replace the entire chain? (correct answer is yes) What shape are/is the cassette/chainrings? How many miles do they have? If not replace them, then at least clean completely using brass brush, toothbrush, q tips, etc.
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Old 06-12-21, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by exercion
So I have a Cannondale Synapse with a 3x10 Shimano 105 drive. Last fall I did major drivetrain maintenance, started with BB bearings, then decided it was due for a chain with 12 years and several thousand miles. I read here and other sites about new chain/old cassette issues, so I changed chain and cassette. I used the KMC reusable quick links.
. My problem is that when in the 2nd to usually 4th largest cogs, I get some skipping and ghost shifts. It does not do it on the largest cog. Issue is worst on the inner chainring, but bad on the middle ring too. Turning the crank by hand I can see a hop not in the quick link itself, but when a link or two around it goes over a cog. My thought is that either I tweaked a link slightly when shortening the new chain, or maybe the KMC link doesn't like to play nicely with the angles of a triple? I have a section of new chain leftover, and am thinking of cutting my current chain to eliminate the suspicious links, but then I'll have two quick links in there.
Thoughts?
Sounds possible.
Rotate the crank backwards slowly and observe the RDER.
IF you have a stiff link, the RDER will make a noticeable "twitch" when it passes through.

When changing a cassette, it's common to have to tweek the barrel adjuster a click or 3.
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Old 06-12-21, 01:49 PM
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You mention KMC quicklinks but not the actual chain you bought. Is it a Shimano chain? Is it supposed to be directional?

Last edited by alcjphil; 06-12-21 at 06:56 PM.
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Old 06-12-21, 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by epnnf
Confused. Did you replace the entire chain? (correct answer is yes) What shape are/is the cassette/chainrings? How many miles do they have? If not replace them, then at least clean completely using brass brush, toothbrush, q tips, etc.
yes, replaced entire chain, as well as cassette. Chain/cassette combo have approx 500 miles maybe.
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Old 06-12-21, 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by alcjphil
You mention KMCX quicklinks but not the actual chain you bought. Is it a Shimano chain? Is it supposed to be directional?
Yes, Shimano chain. I had no idea about direction, and can't answer, but it will be easy enough to disconnect it and flip it.
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Old 06-12-21, 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
Sounds possible.
Rotate the crank backwards slowly and observe the RDER.
IF you have a stiff link, the RDER will make a noticeable "twitch" when it passes through.

When changing a cassette, it's common to have to tweek the barrel adjuster a click or 3.
I have done that, and it's not a stiff link, I had been thinking a slight bend, enough to interfere. But one other answer asking about direction might be on track
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Old 06-13-21, 08:38 AM
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Did you readjust the indexing when you swapped the cassette?
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Old 06-13-21, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by alcjphil
You mention KMC quicklinks but not the actual chain you bought. Is it a Shimano chain? Is it supposed to be directional?
Alcjphil I think you nailed it! I went home, turned the chain around, and on my morning ride I had not one skip, jump, or ghost shift. You're awesome, thanks.

Eric
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