P3C Problems

Triathlon Forum
1

Facts: New P3C, size 51, stock FSA SLK MegaExo crankset.

Issue: When I shift from the big ring to the small ring, the chain gets hung up between the rings. I can get the chain onto the small ring by shifting, but shouldn’t have to do this.

Attempted fix: FSA was contacted and indicated that they had some problem with Shimano (very vague) chains. New rings sent out and installed. Same problem

What to do: ?

2

So is it a FSA problem then because from your description it doesn’t sound like a “P3C problem”?

Sounds like more of a Front Deraileur or Rear Deraileur problem.

Sounds crazy but have you actually checked to see if the crank is tightened to your BB?

3

Did the toe in/out on your derailleur get out of alignment?

4

Compact?

5

No
.

6

No
.

7

Is there a problem with the cable housing or the cable itself?

8

I had the same problem on a P2C. There was a thread a few weeks ago about this and the FSA rings not working well going from big to small. It might be because of the short chainstays, but I really don’t know exactly why it happens. I used it as an excuse to buy some Q-Rings. Haven’t had an issue with chain slippage anymore but they seem to make my quads sore.

9

So is it a FSA problem then because from your description it doesn’t sound like a “P3C problem”?

Sounds like more of a Front Deraileur or Rear Deraileur problem.

Sounds crazy but have you actually checked to see if the crank is tightened to your BB?
It’s a stock bike. I have checked and had checked the deraileurs. The crank is tight.

10

Is there a problem with the cable housing or the cable itself?
No

11

FSA did say something about a short chainstay being a potential issue, but I find it hard to believe that I am the only P3C rider to experience this. I will look for that link.

12

Then you need the New Specialized Transition Bike. :-).

Seriously, you re-ran, or your LBS re-ran the cables and housing?

Also check that the chainring bolts are tight. I had problems with mine coming loose on my FSA chainrings/bolts.

Why not try a different chain? I switched to a wipperman connex stainless steel chain and the shifting is fantastic on the FSA cranks/chainrings. www.lickbike.com has them on sale often.

13

What do you make of this - http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1398396;search_string=fsa%20rings;#1398396

I am thinking a new chain or replace the rings with Shimano.

14

I just read on that other thread that you ordered a set of DuraAce chainrings in an attempt to solve the problem. Um … I hate to tell you this, but …

I had an FSA crankset on my road bike. It was doing fine. But when my chainrings wore out, my LBS was doing some other maintenance to the bike and recommended new chainrings. They had a set of DAs in stock, so we put them on. It was only then that I began to have the exact kind of chain problem you’re describing. If you look at the way the DA chainring sits on the “shelf” on the FSA crank spider, you can see that the DA ring is thicker and, therefore, the centers of the teeth are more widely spaced. The chain would often fall right into the space between the chainrings. The fix was to get a new set of FSA chainrings and I never had the problem again.

All that is to say, I think the DA chainrings will make your problem worse, not better.

.

15

Shimano makes a variety of rings. At one time they made a big ring with the teeth offset a bit to help with the problem you describe. This was back when many were switching from 8 speed to 9 speed.

Styrrell

16

Facts: New P3C, size 51, stock FSA SLK MegaExo crankset.

Issue: When I shift from the big ring to the small ring, the chain gets hung up between the rings. I can get the chain onto the small ring by shifting, but shouldn’t have to do this.

Attempted fix: FSA was contacted and indicated that they had some problem with Shimano (very vague) chains. New rings sent out and installed. Same problem

What to do: ?

FSA chainrings suck with shimano for whatever reason. I had problems with my srm and fsa aero chain ring couldn’t shift up at all.

I switched to all shimano DA chain rings and it works perfect now.

Grant

17

I understand. What version of DA?

I am not a wrench, but with the whole drive train, save the cranks, being Shimano, don’t you think I avoid this issue?

18

My P3C does the exact same thing, and I also have the stock FSA set-up. I bought the bike used, but the local retailer here whose opinion I trust, says it’s common for whatever reason and that he prefers to build up using DA if at all possible.

19

How do you deal with the issue? It comes up when you are ready to climb; and I fear that I will dump the bike sometime when this happens.

I hope I can get away with just changing the rings.

20

I had this conversation with Max Ralph of FSA at IMCdA…

He indicated that there are 2 challenges:

  1. Cervelo has very short chainstays (shorter than Shimano recommends)–This can lead to chain alignment issues
  2. Shimano is constantly changing specs. on their equipment and has no motivation to provide the details to third party manufacturers

Your best bet is to continue working with FSA to identify the correct FSA chainrings for your bike/drivetrain and considering a different brand of chain (why not use a Wipperman Connex?). This has solved the issue for a number of athletes.

I doubt this is the answer you want, but it’s the challenge of the current spec.

Have you tried being more aggressive when shifting into the small chainring (moving the shifter more quickly)?

Good luck,
Jonathan C. Puskas