Chain problem

Charlie Stick

Hi all,

My chain came off this morning while I was shifting up on the front chain ring. No problem I thought, just pop it back on. Thing is, every time I then put a bit of pressure on the pedals the chain was slipping. I had a look at it when I got to work and it looks like one of the links is bent; not by much but enough to catch in the rear derailleur so the chain goes slack if I back peddle.

It's bloody annoying; I've only had the bike a few weeks. I wasn’t putting too much pressure on the chain when it came off so I’m amazed the fecking thing got damaged in the first place.

Anywho, I assume I need to go to my LBS for a repair? I'm due a free service so I was hoping they’d fix the chain too. If not, has anyone any idea how much I should expect to be charged? Apologies if this sounds naive but I have no frame of reference and I don't want to get fleeced.

Cheers.

petethedrummer

There's a price list here you could check for a comparison, though I don't know how representative it is.

It may be that the limit screws on the front derailleur are not set correctly. The derailleur is moving too far and throwing your chain passed the cog.

blorg

You probably need a new chain. It depends on the chain as to how much this will cost, probably in the €15-40 range from a local shop depending on the chain. To be honest it was probably damaged when you put it back on rather than when it came off, I have done this myself in the past. If you get a free replacement the bike shop would be doing very well, I would not necessarily expect it.

What is the bike? At a very simple level the more speeds at the back the more expensive the chain. Buying online is cheaper but you will also need a chain tool (handy to have anyway.)

Charlie Stick

blorg wrote: »

You probably need a new chain. It depends on the chain as to how much this will cost, probably in the €15-40 range from a local shop depending on the chain. To be honest it was probably damaged when you put it back on rather than when it came off, I have done this myself in the past. If you get a free replacement the bike shop would be doing very well, I would not necessarily expect it.

What is the bike? At a very simple level the more speeds at the back the more expensive the chain. Buying online is cheaper but you will also need a chain tool (handy to have anyway.)

It's a Giant FCR3 w/8 speed cassette. Sh1te, I didn't know I could damage it putting the damn thing back on.

@petethedrummer: Thanks for that. It's great to have a benchmark. TBH I thought it was the front derailleur being misaligned but when I had a decent look at it the bent link catches on the cassette and tries to go up a gear before slipping back. :mad:

Morgan

You can just remove the bent link. Your chain will be a bit shorter than it should be but this won't make a difference as long as you avoid using your large chainring / large cog gear combination (which you shouldn't really do anyway).

victorcarrera

As you said you were shifting up I assume the chain fell off on the outside of the big chain wheel. The link may have been damaged if it got caught between the chain wheel and the crank arm while you were pedalling or maybe you forced it when putting it back on.
First ensure front derailer is adjusted properly to prevent a recurrence.
Then try straightening the link by putting a screwdriver through the bent link and reshaping it with a large pliers or vicegrip.
Otherwise your local bike shop should be able to remove the link or preferrably replace it with a split link.
PS: If you are not familiar with the mechanics of derailers and terms like crosschaining, backpeddaling should be avoided.

blorg

Morgan wrote: »

You can just remove the bent link. Your chain will be a bit shorter than it should be but this won't make a difference as long as you avoid using your large chainring / large cog gear combination (which you shouldn't really do anyway).

You can do this IF there is only one link damaged and indeed the chain MAY still be long enough even to go into the big-big combination, I did it myself on my hybrid, the chain installed was slightly too long and I could still go into big-big.

I would check this though as if you shorten the chain too much an accidental attempt to shift into that combo could damage the rear derailleur. Not worth the risk IMHO.

Note on anything above 8 speed you need a special connecting pin or you will compromise chain strength when rejoining. I have rejoined 7 speed without, I think you can also do 8 speed this way (just don't push the pin all the way out) but some reckon the rejoining pin is still to be recommended (it is a must with 9 speed and above.)

To be honest if you are taking a DIY approach you will need to buy a chaintool anyway and a new 8 speed chain is only £7 from CRC.

Charlie Stick

victorcarrera wrote: »

As you said you were shifting up I assume the chain fell off on the outside of the big chain wheel. The link may have been damaged if it got caught between the chain wheel and the crank arm while you were pedalling or maybe you forced it when putting it back on.
First ensure front derailer is adjusted properly to prevent a recurrence.
Then try straightening the link by putting a screwdriver through the bent link and reshaping it with a large pliers or vicegrip.
Otherwise your local bike shop should be able to remove the link or preferrably replace it with a split link.
PS: If you are not familiar with the mechanics of derailers and terms like crosschaining, backpeddaling should be avoided.

Yep, came off the outside of the big chainring. The front derailleur hasn't been functioning too good on this chainring since I got the bike. The shift up isn't too smooth and you can hear the chain rubbing against the derailleur sometimes. It was something I was going to get fixed on my first service. Suppose I should have got it done sooner . I have a screwdriver and pliers with me so I'll try and at least bend the link back a wee bit to get me home. Thanks victorcarrera.

BTW when I mentioned back pedaling it was when I had the bike upended checking the chain.

Charlie Stick

victorcarrera wrote: »

.
First ensure front derailer is adjusted properly to prevent a recurrence.
Then try straightening the link by putting a screwdriver through the bent link and reshaping it with a large pliers or vicegrip.

Tried that and it has improved though not completely fixed. I'll drop it into my LBS tomorrow for a full tune-up. Thanks victorcarrera

Cheers blorg, Morgan & petethedrummer. [font=&quot]Muchas gracias.[/font]