Hi, I don't have a front derailleur so I need to shift the chains to the different chainrings by hand. I'm unsure of how to get it so sit on the big chain ring, it always falls off. Is there an easy way?

Manually pull the chain so that one or two of the links sits on top of the big ring. Then turn the pedal forward until the following links catch onto the ring.

Work from the bottom. Grab the bottom run of chain near the back of the small chainring and tug downward and forward to get some slack from the rear derailleur, then position the chain on the larger ring making sure it settles securely onto the teeth of the big ring. Be careful starting off in case it is not properly engaged. Have a rag or paper towel handy 'cause chains are usually messy.

The front derailleur does more than shifting the chain from ring to ring, its secondary function is to keep the chain on the chainring. Modern chainrings are designed to facilitate shifting, so it is easy for the chain to fall off if there is no derailleur to keep it there. There are chainrings designed for single speed use that do not have the shift gates used for multi speed cranks. So, you can install a front derailleur or you can change your chainring, your choice

Use your foot on the bottom run of chain. Lift bike so the rear wheel is free to move. Snag chain at the top of the ring and wrap clockwise. Keeps your hands clean. Same method for a dropped chain.

So you need to buy a front derailleur. You can buy one for as little as $5. I paid $20 for the one I bought recently; it replaced one I bought 20 years ago for $10. Don't the shift levers come in pairs?

Wouldn't this cause lots of complaints of FD chainrub? I guess I don't see this on my modern drivetrain. The chain only touches the FD when up or down shifting

Is it possible you are cross chained (big/big) when it drops the chain? Are you looking to leave the chain on the big ring all of the time or are you wanting to manually move it as you see fit? You might be able to use a chain guide, don't cross chain (or allow the crank to rotate counter clockwise when cross chained) or maybe install a narrow/wide chain ring if you are looking to run a single up front.

Chains tend to fall off when you hit bumps, you simply don't notice the chain touching the front derailleur. The most famous example of this was David Millar dropping his chain in the Tour de France prologue in 2003. He opted for a single front ring and no derailleur. The dropped chain cost him the stage win

reverting to old style full height chainring teeth were good at keeping the chain in place,

Until forced off , intentionally.

now a days they get labeled single speed chainrings.. but they were just the common chainring type

until the index shifting engineers began making the changes.


(Pro race lore, to keep the chains from coming off, the Paris Roubaix race mechanics tighten up the chain tensions

and reduce the wrap up requirement by making the pair a 46-53.. no Alps near the Franco-Belgian border)






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