Chain issues..
 

Ok, so I dont know if I'm being stupid here or what, but I cant figure this out. Been assembling my new bike, running some IRD cranks, surly cog, and a Wipperman chain - all 1/8. When I'm spinning the bike, the chain will "jump" at random points. Chain tension seems fine and everything is tightened (lockring, cog), and this is a problem I have never had before. Dont wanna take it out on serious rides until I have this problem fixed.. any thoughts?

That what I thought at first too, but I fixed the stiff link. It seems as if it kind of gets stuck on the back cog, causing it to stick and then pop off. Wondering if I need to take a one more link from my chain.

A bad chainline will do that.

I hate Surly cogs. But yeah...a bad chainline or too much chain tension.

With that kind of attitude, they probably hate you too.

Yeah I didnt have any problems with the surly on my other ride.

My cranks :

http://www.interlocracing.com/cranks.html

recommend a 110 BB, which I ended up picking up. Chainline doesnt seem that far off, but could be my niave eye. Ugh.

You shouldn't be having any chainline issues with those cranks and a 110mm spindle and from what I've seen, the IRD chainrings are very round. Is there any grit, sand, etc in your chain?

It doesn't take much. When I first got my Kilo WT, it was off by about 3mm, and was popping and catching like heck. I got it back to within 1mm, and it completely smoothed out. Having said that, some cogs are worse than others.

You are talking about taking out a link, how much slack is in the chain? How consistent is the tension around one turn of the cranks? Have you worked on centering your chainring on the crank? Major PITA but could be worth it.

Is it an old cog/new chain?

Here are a few pictures.. chain is a brand new wipperman btw. Sorry for crappy lighting

Side view:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=209554

Chainline:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=209555

remove about 2 links and get some tension on that b*tch

I tried that, and while it seemed to resolve the problem, it pulled the cranks all the way into the horizontal dropouts and pressed the rear tire against the frame. And its a 700x23 :(

Sweet foot retention.

Those were some crap pedals I had laying around that were put on temporarily to test something on the street for a second. Clearly this isnt a functioning bike yet. Awaiting my pedals with foot retention. Sweet advice though.

+1

I hate all surly components, I just don't like the fit and finish. Their frames and forks though.........

So I was able to sort of fix the problem. By taking out 2 links of the chain, the chain spins fine, but it brings the rear wheel all the way into the dropouts and forces it to rub against the frame. When I put the 2 links back in, it gives me the needed space to prevent the wheel from rubbing, but causes the chain to jump again. Should I just get another chain? Am I SOL?

Why are you even messing with removing links? Judging by the pics, all you need to do to make your chain tighter is pull your wheel back in the dropouts. If it's too far back for your taste, get a half link. Problem solved.

I pulled it as tight as I could in the dropouts without the link taken out and it still "jumped" and refused to run smoothly. It wasnt until I actually took out the links that it spun freely. I'll mess around with it some more though.

Are you sure you're installing your links correctly?

I would think adding links (correctly) to your chain would help alleviate the problem, if anything.

Messing with the chain
 

I wouldn't mess with the chain too much. Afraid it weakens it, bends it unnecessarily, etc. Be mindful of that.

Yes, I have added and removed links on several chains before without issue. No stiff links, and I would think adding would help reduce the chain tension and alleviate the problems as well, but alas no luck. I'm beginning to think its just the chain itself, perhaps 46/17 is a just a ratio Wipperman chains refuse to run effectively at :lol: I tried to throw an old KMC I had laying around on it just to see, but I was short by 3 links or so.

I feel as I have already compromised the strength of the chain by adding and removing so many links, so maybe I'll just go buy a cheap KMC Z410. I feel like there is a simple stupid solution I am missing here, but its driving me nuts.

Is it possible an untrue wheel could cause this problem?

What is bad about them? I have seen you say this before but I don't get it.

I too thought they came highly recommended

Every one I've had has been loud as all hell.