Gears change themselves

Four of a kind

Today during my cycle the gears seemed to adjust/move themselves on the chain of their own accord at a couple of stages along the route.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? The only way to describe it was just say I was in a middle gear...then there would be a slight clicking noise, followed by the chain auto changing itself. I'm not sure if this is supposed to happen or not, but I would like some opinions if possible.

Inquitus

Four of a kind wrote: »

Today during my cycle the gears seemed to adjust/move themselves on the chain of their own accord at a couple of stages along the route.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? The only way to describe it was just say I was in a middle gear...then there would be a slight clicking noise, followed by the chain auto changing itself. I'm not sure if this is supposed to happen or not, but I would like some opinions if possible.

It means most likely your rear derailleur needs adjusting, plenty of videos of how to do it on youtube or your LBS can do it for 5-10 yoyos in 5 mins.

Dubba

Are the gears indexed correctly, i.e. smooth gear change with no rattling from the rear derailleur? If its not that I think you'd need a new chain (how old is yours?) and possible a new cassette.
Note that there are people here with far more experience with these matters than me who might give you better advise.

J Madone

Four of a kind wrote: »

Today during my cycle the gears seemed to adjust/move themselves on the chain of their own accord at a couple of stages along the route.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? The only way to describe it was just say I was in a middle gear...then there would be a slight clicking noise, followed by the chain auto changing itself. I'm not sure if this is supposed to happen or not, but I would like some opinions if possible.

Di2 perhaps

el Bastardo

I'd have a look at the gear cable and outer cable housing, and maybe cleaning and lubricating if necessary (Actually, I'd probably just buy a new one because I hate the hassle ).. Then I'd set about re-indexing the gears.

Darkglasses

All too familiar with this problem from my previous bike. Recommend getting a full service myself.

Four of a kind

I only bought this bike brand new from LBS last Wednesday???? Can't be a problem like that already can there? :eek::eek:

Its a 2012 Specialized Allez Elite

Darkglasses

Four of a kind wrote: »

I only bought this bike brand new from LBS last Wednesday???? Can't be a problem like that already can there? :eek::eek:

Its a 2012 Specialized Allez Elite

That doesn't sound right at all, perhaps whoever assembled her was having an off day? Get on the phone to the shop I'd say.

Four of a kind

Darkglasses wrote: »

That doesn't sound right at all, perhaps whoever assembled her was having an off day? Get on the phone to the shop I'd say.

Yeah will do tomorrow for sure. Will this mean a few days without a bike if its getting fixed?

Darkglasses

I couldn't say for sure, but just guessing I doubt the problem would take as long as that to fix, especially if they have in fact made a mistake in the assembly (I would expect them to make it a priority as you've just bought an expensive bike from them!). If it did take a while, maybe they could give you a rental in the mean time? More experienced Boardsies would know better than me :pac:

Four of a kind

Darkglasses wrote: »

I couldn't say for sure, but just guessing I doubt the problem would take as long as that to fix, especially if they have in fact made a mistake in the assembly (I would expect them to make it a priority as you've just bought an expensive bike from them!). If it did take a while, maybe they could give you a rental in the mean time? More experienced Boardsies would know better than me :pac:

Thanks, Yeah I've only had 5 spins on her since I got it, and this problem only started today although I did notice it happening yesterday but thought nothing of it.

I'm a complete bicycle newbie so hadn't a clue what's going on technically :rolleyes:

Darkglasses

http://sheldonbrown.com/autoshift.html

The whole Sheldon Brown website is an absolutely brilliant resource, worth a look any time you're wondering about anything bike-related!

Four of a kind

Darkglasses wrote: »

http://sheldonbrown.com/autoshift.html

The whole Sheldon Brown website is an absolutely brilliant resource, worth a look any time you're wondering about anything bike-related!

Thank you for the help bud!

kincsem

Four of a kind wrote: »

Thanks, Yeah I've only had 5 spins on her since I got it, and this problem only started today although I did notice it happening yesterday but thought nothing of it.

I'm a complete bicycle newbie so hadn't a clue what's going on technically :rolleyes:

I am fairly certain the "problem" is cable stretch on a new bike. I bought a new Specialized Allez in 2006 and near the end of my first spin (70 km) the gears started "shifting themselves".

You could bring the bike back and the shop will fix it in five minutes. But it is easy to fix yourself. Change gear to put the chain on the big chainring at the front. Then change gears at the back to get the chain on the middle cassette (e.g if you have 9 gears at the back change it onto the middle or 5th cassette).

Now hold the back wheel off the ground and turn the chain. If it rattles turn the small adjuster on the cable at the rear that goes into the rear shifter. It is a small black (?) knob on the front of the curved bit of cable at the very back of the bike. Turn that small adjuster on way or the other way until the rattle disappears. That if the first step. Then shift the chain to an adjacent cassette ring and see if the chain rattles there. If there is still a rattle turn the knob a little until it disappears there. Then move the chain up and down the other rear cassettes and adjust as needed. In fact once you fix the middle one, and the one near it you are unlikely to need to adjust further.

If that doesn't work you can bring the bike back and blame me. I'm no expert but I did this and it worked.

Four of a kind

kincsem wrote: »

I am fairly certain the "problem" is cable stretch on a new bike. I bought a new Specialized Allez in 2006 and near the end of my first spin (70 km) the gears started "shifting themselves".

You could bring the bike back and the shop will fix it in five minutes. But it is easy to fix yourself. Change gear to put the chain on the big chainring at the front. Then change gears at the back to get the chain on the middle cassette (e.g if you have 9 gears at the back change it onto the middle or 5th cassette).

Now hold the back wheel off the ground and turn the chain. If it rattles turn the small adjuster on the cable at the rear that goes into the rear shifter. It is a small black (?) knob on the front of the curved bit of cable at the very back of the bike. Turn that small adjuster on way or the other way until the rattle disappears. That if the first step. Then shift the chain to an adjacent cassette ring and see if the chain rattles there. If there is still a rattle turn the knob a little until it disappears there. Then move the chain up and down the other rear cassettes and adjust as needed. In fact once you fix the middle one, and the one near it you are unlikely to need to adjust further.

If that doesn't work you can bring the bike back and blame me. I'm no expert but I did this and it worked.

Thanks for that. I'll try that out tomorrow and go for a cycle. And if its still happening then I'll pop it back to shop to have it fixed properly. Cheers all.

Four of a kind

kincsem wrote: »

I am fairly certain the "problem" is cable stretch on a new bike. I bought a new Specialized Allez in 2006 and near the end of my first spin (70 km) the gears started "shifting themselves".

You could bring the bike back and the shop will fix it in five minutes. But it is easy to fix yourself. Change gear to put the chain on the big chainring at the front. Then change gears at the back to get the chain on the middle cassette (e.g if you have 9 gears at the back change it onto the middle or 5th cassette).

Now hold the back wheel off the ground and turn the chain. If it rattles turn the small adjuster on the cable at the rear that goes into the rear shifter. It is a small black (?) knob on the front of the curved bit of cable at the very back of the bike. Turn that small adjuster on way or the other way until the rattle disappears. That if the first step. Then shift the chain to an adjacent cassette ring and see if the chain rattles there. If there is still a rattle turn the knob a little until it disappears there. Then move the chain up and down the other rear cassettes and adjust as needed. In fact once you fix the middle one, and the one near it you are unlikely to need to adjust further.

If that doesn't work you can bring the bike back and blame me. I'm no expert but I did this and it worked.

So I did as you described here and I think I fixed the problem. When I got the chain set up as you said, when I turned the chain it kept hopping up at the back(5th cassette). So I fiddled around with the adjuster on the rear deraileur and this fixed the skipping. I then switched up and down through the other gears and all as nice and smooth.

I did take it out for a spin as its lashing here today and don't feel confident yet cycling on a wet road.

So hopefully that's her fixed, and I'll let ya know when I go for a spin. Thanks for the help btw!

kincsem

I'm a bit surprised it worked to be honest.

Four of a kind

kincsem wrote: »

I'm a bit surprised it worked to be honest.

Well I'll know for sure when I cycle. But it's stopped the chain skipping when I tested it earlier.