Hey, so I just have a quick question. Not much of a bike savvy person. So i just got a new chain/cassette put on my bike and I am trying to do a trainer workout now and whenever i am in the small chainring i hear this odd sound… and it looks like my chain is sticking to the bottom side of the chain ring as it turns and then comes loose to continue to the RD making this sound. It does this 1-2 times per rev. Anyway, i tried lubing it in case the bike shop didn’t and i ran my hand over it in a towel to try and loosen and stuck links. Does this happen and Is it just a new chain getting loose? Or could it be a problem with that chain ring and the new chain? It doesn’t happen with the big chain ring which makes me think the ladder may not be the case since i ride 90% in big chain ring.
any suggestions or clarifications would help.
thanks
So chain and cassette are new, but chainrings are not.
Could be that the new chain is mechanically binding into the old rings, a worn set of rings can do that very thing, causing a very nasty case of chain-suck. It’ll do nasty things to your chainstay.
What would you have to suggest in that situation? I would think that the bike shop guy would have mentioned if i needed new chain rings… especially since i asked him about them haha. Any other possibilities if that is not the case? I am going to have to check in depth after this ride… just riding in big gear the whole time now.
HE should have suggested it. When you’ve put any significant wear on the drivetrain, you’ve worn the entire drivetrain, and the chainrings are aluminum, so they are going to be the softest metal in a typical setup. Just order up a new set of rings quickly, and now is also a good time to fool with your gearing …if you are of a mind to.
cheers,
E-moto is right. Get a new set of chain rings before you tear your rear derailluer off of you bike. The new chain rings are a inexpensive repair. Your big chain ring will show about 25% less wear than your small ring with the same miles on it.
Before you go wasting money on new rings…let me ask you this…Is it only the small ring? Or have you not tried the big ring? How old are the rings (mileage wise)? If you bought it used give a guess how many miles are on it. Yes it is common to wear out a cassette and chain after a few thousand miles (like 4000 or more for it to be totally un-salvagable and causing excessive wear on other parts) however rings last much longer. Im not saying it couldnt be the rings, but before you spend money on it better be sure. Also if the chain is new it shouldnt have stiff links and it comes factory lubed…I’m assuming you have shimano, so that makes me wonder is it 9 sp or 10 sp? If it’s a 9 sp drive train and they installed a 10 speed chain this could cause that problem because the chain is narrower and the chain may not release off of the ring properly. This is doubtful but you’d be suprised what and LBS will do unknowingly. Answer a few of those initial questions and I may be able to think of some other possible problems before you buy something you may not need.
RE:Greg
Yes, only the small ring. Yes, i rode in the big ring for 2:15 on the trainer tonight.
Yes, i bought it used… so not too sure on the miles before i owned it… i have put on about 3500 since i got it last april. The components definately weren’t new when i got it… but i would assume no more than 4k miles before. The chain may have been newer. It was checked and built up by this same shop when i got it.
Yes, Shimano and yes i have a 9speed. I hope he didn’t put on a 10speed. He put on HG-93, which from double checking just now is the 9speed, b/c he couldn’t get a DA chain.
How about this. Buy a new ring. Take it out of the package and hold it next to the old ring. If you notice “hooking” on the teeth of the old ring, then it is showing signs of wear and should be replaced. If the teeth are not hooked, put it back in tha package, and take it back to the LBS for a refund. Or just take the bike to them, and have them check it out for you.
Hooking makes the teeth look lite little shark fins. They have a nice slope on the back of the teeth, but the front shows a small hook where the chain has worn in. This is more common on bikes where the chain has not been changed regularily. I change mine every 2000-3000 miles.