Single-speed; bike problem, or my problem?

B_S

Hi everyone, thanks for having me in your fancy-ass forum! I've had a look at the FAQs and couldn't see any particular answer to my question, but apologies if it's been dealt with a thousand times before.

I just picked up my new single-speed this afternoon; it was a road-bike which I've had for about 4 years, but which never really worked properly and I'm only cycling around Dublin, out to UCD etc., so had no real need for 15+ gears. Brought it into a friendly city centre bike place, who converted it to a single-speed for me, adding a chain tensioner because the frame has vertical drop-outs.

Rode it home, and noticed that I've to start with a very slow, gentle cadence or else the chain jerks as if it's missing a gear. Also, climbing over a very slight incline (hump-back bridge in Rialto/Kilmainham) gives the same problem. Incredibly annoying. Do I just have to accept that I'm going to be a lot slower on this machine, or is there something I can do?

Thanks in advance!

OldBean

Doesn't sound right. I do start slower on my single speed, but after my first few paces, I'm as quick as anything else on the road.

What didn't work with the bike originally? The chain shouldn't be jerking.

CramCycle

Possibly a worn chainring, or chain, slipping a bit. What was changed in the shop, you possibly needed a new chain to go with your new cog and at 4 years old, potentially a new chainring. Also make sure that the chain has a straight line.

piston

Is the chain very loose?

B_S

Thanks for the replies. There's a new, shorter chain on the bike, so I don't think that's the problem. Haven't looked closely at the chain, but it could well be a little loose so any ideas towards fixing that would be appreciated. Will check the straight line issue, that could be it also. Don't discount the idea that I'm just bad at cycling, though, and need to get better at it!

CramCycle

B_S wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. There's a new, shorter chain on the bike, so I don't think that's the problem. Haven't looked closely at the chain, but it could well be a little loose so any ideas towards fixing that would be appreciated. Will check the straight line issue, that could be it also. Don't discount the idea that I'm just bad at cycling, though, and need to get better at it!

If it has a chain tensioner then being loose isn't an issue, its not different than a geared bike chain with a derailleur. Look at your chainring and see what the wear is like on the teeth ie are they sharp and pointy? a picture might help if your unsure what a worn chainring looks like. I presume its a new cog at the back?

Lumen

CramCycle wrote: »

If it has a chain tensioner then being loose isn't an issue, its not different than a geared bike chain with a derailleur

Assuming the chain tensioner has been fitted properly.

B_S, a pic of the drivetrain would be useful.

CramCycle

Lumen wrote: »

Assuming the chain tensioner has been fitted properly.

Assumption, the mother of all ........!

Holyboy

Just bring it back to the shop, it obviously shouldnt be slipping!

CramCycle

Holyboy wrote: »

Just bring it back to the shop, it obviously shouldnt be slipping!

Sometimes the most obvious answers are the best.

B_S

Thanks for all the replies everyone. In an update, went to cycle it home last night after work at 10pm, only for the chain to come off 4 times between George's St. and Dame St. Bringing it back to the shop sounds like the answer. Hopefully it's not a big deal.

Qualitymark

It used to be the norm that you replaced the chain and gearwheels at the same time, because they wear out together. Sounds as if this was just the chain replaced on old gearwheels?

Dexif

Sounds like chain tension. There is only so much a tensioner can do! Is the tensioner fixed or on a spring? Also is your chainring concentric i.e. Same tension through a whole rotation? Also are u mixing 3/32 and 1/8 chain width components?