Chain suck damage on carbon question
 

I just started riding a trek 5200 carbon frame recently - when riding, the chain sucked on me pretty harshly (had to remove the crank to get the dang chain off). Well, I somehow even managed to get the chain to slip past the metal chain guard and land down on the ring, thereby bending the ring and scraping the frame rather nicely.

I was curious if anyone might have experience with this on a carbon frame - and if so, should i be at all concerned with the integrity of the frame? The damage took off most all the paint in the area, but the chain and teeth are all fine. I may also be ultra paranoid because I just started riding a new bike. I really appreciate any advice that comes my way. Thanks.

I can't answer the carbon question but I have a Trek Fuel 90 that I've had a lot of chainsuck problems with.
I'm starting to wonder if it's just Trek.

KS

How old is your 5200? This was a known problem in the earlier 5500/5200 and Trek even warrantied chain suck damage. Check out this webpage from Mike Jacoubowsky of Chain Reaction Bicycles, a pretty knowledgable shop that's a longtime Trek reseller.

Hmmm, I remember my 01 Fisher (made by trek) sucked chain on my very first ride,and still will if I'm not careful shifting down in certain combinations.Check derailer limits and or alignment.As for the carbon? Check with your shop if you can.

I'd recommend a belt drive for you young man :D

Thanks for the info. I'll take it to the shop to get a closer look. The bike is a 2004, so I would hope this chain suck dilemma doesn't become a recurring theme in my riding. I'm usually careful while changing gears.

I have had the chain drop on me a few times with my trek 2100, one time during a race :mad: I guess it just must be a trek thing because it happens in certain combinations when going to the small ring on my DA setup.

I was riding a 5200 and had the exact same thing happen in the first 500 miles. It ripped off the aluminum chain guard on the chainstay as well. Fortunately though I did not have any other damage to the frame. If you have to send to the factory I hope you have another bike to ride or be prepared for a 2 month turnaround.......don't believe the 2 weeks......

I ride a Klein Palomino MTB & have semi-deep gouges on the rear swingarm where the chain has sucked and ground through the frame to release :eek: Not sure how CF would have stood up?