So I got my brand new frame built up ('03 Specialized Allez Pro) by the bike shop, and today I gave it my inaugural ride. Man this bike is SWEET! SO stiff, and yet so much more comfortable than my old bike ('00 Allez Comp). The bike is definitely alot lighter, and fits better, looks better, and just makes you want to ride so much faster than before.

Anyways, I had two major chain suck incidents, both with very bad consequences. The first one was I threw the chain off of the big ring as i was shifting up, most likely because of maladjusted limit screws. chain got caught between crank and chainstay, and it got all torn up!!! AHHH! on the first ride!!!!

Then later on in the same ride, I was shifting down into the small ring, and then the chain was sitting on top of the chainring, but it was not "hooking up", so I was spinning the cranks until it finally engaged. Got home and noticed all my teeth had rounded off because of this stupid mishap.

ARGH!!

Now, I suspect that it might be because of the chain length.... i'm almost positive my old bike had a longer chainstay length than this new frame, and also, the chain looks a TAD saggy when you look at it from the side. Now, should I take some links out? How do I tell how many links I should have?

ARGH!!!

Try taking 4 links out and shift to your largest gears. If you can't, put 2 back on and see if it works. I completely solved my chain suck problems on my mtb by shortening the chain.

I think I'll give that a try - only prob is that I don't own a chain tool

These problems are becoming persistent now. Today, on my second ride, I could not shift into the small ring, because of the following picture. The chain refuses to sit properly in the teeth of the small ring, instead it just sits on top of the teeth while the crank spins. I had to do the whole ride in the big ring. Ah well, I could use the power training .

also, please take a look at the following video files

https://mail.med.upenn.edu/~johnkim3/100-0067_MVI.AVI
https://mail.med.upenn.edu/~johnkim3/100-0068_MVI.AVI

I'd take it back to the shop that built it up and
ask them to adjust it. I might also talk to them about
replacement chainrings and crankarms which were damaged due to their inneptitude

If a shop built this for you, take it back and make them fix it!!! You shouldn't have to suffer from an ill riding bike, and they should stand behind their work. If the paint on my bike got thrashed on its first ride, I'd be really pissed.

DEMON

ack, i guess i'll have to do that... it's just a long drive (25 mins each way) cuz they're the only specialized dealer in the area.

Yea....whoever built the bike didnt adjust it properly. They should have taken it on a test ride after they built it and they would have noticed their mistakes, but they didnt.

It sounds like the LBS did not adjust the front der. correctly. Like mentioned ablove if it did any damage I would get really hot at them. For the price you paid for all that I would demand retribution.

Everyone so quick to judge and blame the bike shop.

How many miles did you ride the bike before this happened? After the first ~10 miles, the cables will stretch and cause a bit of play in derailuer adjustment. Even pre-stretching the cable, some play develops.

It could simply be how you are shifting. Rider style and preference plays a BIG role in component adjustment. The way I shift and ride will be different than how one of my customers shifts and rides. They complain about the chain not shifting up, but the way I ride (and the correct way to shift), the bike shifts fine.

Other problems could be mis-cut rings (happens occasionally). Chainline (crossing the chain line). Shifting under heavy load (whilst bashing uphill). Incorrect BB size. Worn rings. Old chain on new rings. There are hundreds of possible problems, the shop is VERY low on the list.

To measure the correct chain length, take your new chain. Wrap it around the largest cog in the back, and the largest ring up front. Bypass the derailuer. Take that length, add one full link and put the chain together. Perfect chain length . It's how PARK and Shimano both recomend checking chain length.

Take it back to the shop. Sometimes they let the inexperienced mechanic work on bikes to get the experience. Nothing wrong with that as long as someone else inspects it before it leaves the shop.

I bought a Trek 5900 for me and a 5200 for my wife. The 5900 is setup perfectly, but I noticed that the front der. on the 5200 is setup way too high, after my wife complained about difficulties in shifting in the front rings. I also noticed that our bikes were assembled by 2 different mechanics by the sign-off cards. I will be taking it back to the shop.

Since it's a long drive for you, go over everything on the bike carefully, that way you can get it all adjusted with one visit. Also, I find it helpful to talk to the manager and give him a head's up so he knows when you're coming and can have the proper personnel available when you get there.

Good luck.