slippage

[ryn_v]

Ok, so i just got done biking this moderately difficult trail. Come out of it onto a road and start biking back to base. Anyways, now i'm riding along and every few turns of the pedal the chain slips at a certain point. It's like underpressure and it just gives for a few inches of turn then catches again-turn, turn, turn-slip..turn, turn, turn-slip. Really annoying. What do i need to do to fix this? obviously i'm new to this whole sport, really loving it. That trail i mentioned was fun! ...but hard for me. I'm not used to clipless pedals yet, i fell twice for no reason other than loosing balance. GAAARRRSSHHH!!! Anyways, please help me with this slippage. Cheap is good

Ryan

Thanks

[fonseca]

More info is needed. New bike and drivetrain? New chain on a used cassette and chainrings? Have you swapped anything around? What gears is it happening in?

I'm not sure if you mean that the chain is slipping on the cassette, or what. Try to locate where the slippage is happening. Right now I'm thinking a stiff link in the chain, a new chain on a used drivetrain, a bent derailleur or derailleur hanger, a bent tooth on a chainring or cog, etc.

Narrow it down.

[ryn_v]

ok, my bad- it's a used 2002 haro ICS 5.0 hardtail. It has mostly lx and xt componets. It's like the chain is sliping on the cog. i'm pedaling and the pressure gives out for a sec and then catches again. It doesn't change gears necessarily, although that happens occasionally (which i thought was just kinda normal, it's probably not, huh) yah, but i just got a tune-up on this bike like last week. Since this is happening wouldn't the bike shop probably re-look at this for free. i cant really tell if the cassette is worn. It might be slightly. So used cassette, used chain. i spun it and watched, and on the cassette, there will be a certain spot on the chain that looks like it doesn't catch the cog right and just kinda slips over for a sec. It's hard to explain. ok, and i noticed it doesn't really happen in easiest to pedal gear, and pretty much not middle gear, but on the biggest gear it deffinatly happens. Sorry i'm new so i don't know all the termonology.

RYAN

[ryn_v]

ok, i think i kinda figured out what it was. There was a really stiff link in my chain. I looked at it really close and it looks messed up-the one like, that is. Hard to explain just sepereation in an area there shouldn't be. Can i get one linked replaced or better to just replace the whole thing. I sprayed the link with wd-40 and it helped and seemed to fix it for now..but i dunno if it'll get real stiff again.

also, i've been reading that a lot of people hose down there bikes and let them dry after rides. Will this cause rust anywhere? will water get in bad places, like shifters? i dunno just wondering

Ryan

[binary visions]

1st: Throw away your can of WD-40 or at least stuff it into the bottom of your cabinet. It has no place on a bike - you'll destroy the bearings on your bike!

2nd: yes, you can replace the bad link, but if you're still having problems just replace the chain. The chain is probably worn.

Ideally, just snag a new chain and rear cassette from your LBS and have them replace it. Drivetrains wear and if you put a new chain on a worn cassette, you will have a lot of problems with it skipping, and it will probably end up destroying your cassette. It's not worth the hassle; the small cost of replacing both parts will leave you very happy with your shifting performance and will save you a lot of headache.

Re: hosing down your bike, generally don't do it. If your bike is VERY muddy and you need to get it clean, go ahead and hose it down, just avoid three key areas: your headset, hubs, and bottom bracket. If you keep the pressurized water out of those areas you should be okay. Dry your bike immediatly after washing it as best you can and you shouldn't have any problems. Generally, I just wait until the mud/dirt drys and brush off as much as I can. To get the bike clean, I soak a rag in Simple Green and wipe the bike down, then fill some gallon jugs with water and dump them on the bike. This keeps the pressurized water from getting into the bearing areas - most bearings have enough of a seal to keep the water out when it's just poured on.

[fonseca]

Now that you've sprayed it with WD-40, get some good lube for your conditions (A wax-based "dry" lube for dry conditions, or something like prolink, which I like, or a wet lube with teflon for wet/winter conditions) and put a drop on each pin, let it work in, and then wipe off the excess.

WD-40 won't harm your chain, and some people still think it works well as a degreaser for a chain, but I think there are much better products available for this purpose. But as a lube (it does leave some lube behind after it dries) it's no good for mtn bike purposes. Definitely keep it away from the rest of your bike.

As for the stiff link, get a good grip on the chain with the stiff link inbetween your hands, and gently bend the chain back and forth on it's side (the rigid side that isn't made to bend). A lot of times this can loosen it up. It's worth a try anyway.