Chainstuck...on a new bike?
 

As some of you have read on this forum, I bought a leftover 2009 Rockhopper. It's been quick (I've caught up with road bikes :D) and painless but today, I was riding off the handicap ramp (nobody else was there) when I nudged the front shifter to 1. I tried riding off only to have the chain bind and get stuck in the frame. I eventually popped it out and it left a nasty gouge in the chainstay. The bike works alright, but it tore a scratch down to the aluminium.

Now, question time - should I be worried? Do I rant and rave to Specialized? Or should I shut up and ride it? Most importantly, is it because I didn't regrease the chain the last time I rode through the rain/puddle?:eek:

edit- Can someone "chain"ge the title to chainsuck? Much thanks to anyone who can help with any of my requests.

Ok, so I've done some looking around on the internet and most sources say that it's alright and that the bike should last for x thousand miles or until it collapses into a pile of dust. But still, I was wondering if you guys had any input on how to avoid this/take care of it in the future.

Perhaps it's a sign to ditch the Acera and go for a Deore XT. :D

Can't imagine why it would be Specialized's concern. Chainsuck info here you might want to look through http://fagan.co.za/Bikes/Csuck/.

Well, it's just that I only bought this bike a few weeks ago and it's seen little to no "off-road" use, so I don't really know how/why this happened.

The only times I have ever experienced chainsuck were my fault. Once, while clipping out in an emergency on my road bike, I had to clip inwards and caught the chain with my heel and caused it to suck into the chainstay. The other time, after getting a new chain for my mountain bike, I assumed that it was already lubed from the factory and didn't need anything before I rode it. Within 5 minutes, I had chainsuck 3 times. Once I lubed the chain though, it got rid of the sticky feeling and the chain never had anymore problems.

Why did you shift to the granny during a drop? Urban riding is often rougher on a bike than riding off road. Dirt's softer :rolleyes:. Shifting technique is something you should look into. Did you read the article on chain suck?

haha I agree. Hopping curbs is hell on any bike.

Why did I shift to granny? I was trying to keep it under control when the thumb of my glove clipped the shifter. I wasn't really aware of it, and tried to pedal away when things started to jam up. Stopped and popped the chain back out. But it wasn't the curb that caused it; it was riding off a smooth ramp that it happened.

I read the article but I'm not quite sure where I fall. The bike is basically brand-new and hasn't been left out to rot; I bring it inside at every opportunity. The components (save for the front suspension) hasn't seen much wear and only the rear dérailleur sees any sort of action.

What about the mud and grease on your chain? You don't really use grease, do you?

Not as much as I should? But I guess yeah, you're probably right - it needs some lubrication. Ah geez, I am a terrible owner, aren't I? :) Most of the bikes I've owned were big-box bikes that died long before they needed any sort of lubricant, so that's one thing I'm not familiar with.

What you are describing sounds like a standard dropped chain to me. I would check your front derailer limit screws, if they are out of tune it will allow the chain to drop past the lowest cog.

I'd bring the bike back and demand a full refund!!!

Well, it's due for a free checkup in a few months. I'll bring to their attention.

Eh, that may be a bit much for my circumstances. They were nice guys and offered to give me 20% off all accessories when I purchased this. Plus they took their time and opened past closing while i was buying it.

I've stuck a piece of electrical tape over the scratch for now to avoid corrosion. Good idea or bad? As is, I hope I didn't shorten its lifespan too much. :(

do you have a photo?

Is there a stiff link in your chain? Back pedal the bike with your hand quickly and see if the RD snaps or jumps.

Yes. Two, in fact.


I don't think so. The bike's new and hasn't seen any particularly long distances. I haven't noticed any sort of weird goings on with it.

Still, I did lubricate it. :thumb:

You can't fix a stiff link with lubrication, you have to work it loose with your hands. Try the test i said?

I don't know if anybody mentioned but shifting the crank under power is not a good idea.

Assuming it's not a stiff link or lubrication problem, have you bottomed out on anything while doing any of your jumping? That can damage a tooth, causing it to catch. It's also possible someone did that during a test ride before you got to it. I think I did that to my bike. I bottomed out on a rock just slightly, and I got chainsuck 3 times during that ride. Now it's time to get a new chainring. This can happen to any chainring - not just the largest - if the rock is in the right place.

hey, aren't you a roadie?? what do you know about bottoming out?

:D

Man i'm dirty. BTW, it's a rockhopper so that means no bottoming out or you are already bottoming out.

Can someone please explain what chain suck is? And to me it sounds like a derailleur problem. Check out park tools repair site on derailleurs on limit screws. Real easy tutorial on how to prevent your derailleur from throwing your chain either in or out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...MtSacBrian.jpg
Mt Sac Fall Fat Tire Classic, 1996. 1st place, so put that in your pipe and smoke it :D

But yeah, I meant hitting the bottom bracket or chainrings on stuff. Not suspension bottoming out. My bad. And honestly, I know very little about rear suspension and disc brakes.

I did this with my Kona. Right on the weld, its straight down to the aluminum on a weld. It'll be ok, as I have taken 4 foot to flat (on concrete) with it like that and it didn't explode, just my suspension bottomed out. You'll just have to live with the ugly scratches. Both my bikes have these nasty gouges around the BB and chainstays. Tape will only hold the moisture and grit underneath it. Your frame is aluminum so It wont rust. I'd just throw a quick dab of clear coat or clear nail polish on it, works just fine.

Ok. Sounds like a good idea. It's good to know that it's still able to take the stuff I dish at it! :D