Help a newbie out...

[LexieB]

Hi Guys,

 

Before I start, please forgive my lack of correct terminology. I'm still trying to learn everything! 

 

I recently started riding, on a bike borrowed from a friend. I had the bike serviced at a bike shop before I got on it, and have since done about 150km on it. 

 

During my last few rides, I've noticed that the chain/gears sound a bit odd when I'm riding. While I'm on the small ring in front, as I gear down to smaller rings at the back, it starts to make like a clicking sound? (best way I can describe it) as I pedal. Almost like if you were to rub two rough objects together. This sound isn't there when I'm on the larger rings at the back though. 

 

Is this normal? Or do I need to clean/lube the chain here or what should I do? 

 

I'd really appreciate some guidance here; a step-by-step basic maintenance instruction would be great if someone wouldn't mind taking the time to do that!? And how often should I be doing basic maintenance myself and taking it in for a proper service? 

 

Any PE members willing to meet up and actually show me the ropes??

 

Thanks in advance, hubbers  

[Letum911]

Sounds like it is the chain against the front deraileur. Try changing to middle front before you start using the full range of gears (smaller gears) at the back.

 

*Try keep your chain in a straight line while riding.

[madbradd]

Hey Lexie. You're spot on, it is your chain rubbing against your front derailleur.

 

This happens because when you are in the small chainring (front left), and small cog (rear right), the chain has to run very "skew", which is not ideal (or recommended).

 

The way to prevent this from happening is to shift the front up a gear (moves the front of the chain right, but makes the gears "heavier") and to shift the rear down 2 or 3 gears (this moves the back of the chain left, so now the chain is alot straighter, and makes the gearing "lighter" to compensate for the "heavier" front gear).

 

It is usually better to move the rear derailleur first because changing the front with a very "skew" chain can make the chain come off the chainrings. Hope that helps

 

If you are riding a road bike, the newer ones have a feature where you can "half shift" the front derailleur which also helps with that noise.

[LexieB]

Sounds like it is the chain against the front deraileur. Try changing to middle front before you start using the full range of gears (smaller gears) at the back.

 

*Try keep your chain in a straight line while riding.

 

 

Hey Lexie. You're spot on, it is your chain rubbing against your front derailleur.

 

This happens because when you are in the small chainring (front left), and small cog (rear right), the chain has to run very "skew", which is not ideal (or recommended).

 

The way to prevent this from happening is to shift the front up a gear (moves the front of the chain right, but makes the gears "heavier") and to shift the rear down 2 or 3 gears (this moves the back of the chain left, so now the chain is alot straighter, and makes the gearing "lighter" to compensate for the "heavier" front gear).

 

It is usually better to move the rear derailleur first because changing the front with a very "skew" chain can make the chain come off the chainrings. Hope that helps

 

If you are riding a road bike, the newer ones have a feature where you can "half shift" the front derailleur which also helps with that noise.

 

Thanks guys, this is really helpful! I didn't know about keeping the chain in line - makes a lof of sense though now that it's pointed out  

 

I'll put that into practice on my next ride  

 

[VicanZA]

cross chaining! dont do it.

[NordicElf]

Also it's a good idea to keep the chain nice and clean and lubbed. Never lube a dirty chain. Give it a clean and lube it once or twice a week, depending on how often you ride and how dirty it is. 

And as the others said, don't cross chain. 

 

Something else that helped me in the beginning, was to change gears alot - it helps you to learn what gears are best for the situation, helped me figure out if I was a spinner or a grinder. 

If you're wanting to change gears on a hill, give the pedals a bit of extra power, just before you change, helps take the tension off the chain, and the gears change a bit easier and quicker like that. 

[Enduro_Jakes]

Try the below link, it's an old video but brilliant

 

[LexieB]

Also it's a good idea to keep the chain nice and clean and lubbed. Never lube a dirty chain. Give it a clean and lube it once or twice a week, depending on how often you ride and how dirty it is. 

And as the others said, don't cross chain. 

 

Something else that helped me in the beginning, was to change gears alot - it helps you to learn what gears are best for the situation, helped me figure out if I was a spinner or a grinder. 

If you're wanting to change gears on a hill, give the pedals a bit of extra power, just before you change, helps take the tension off the chain, and the gears change a bit easier and quicker like that. 

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

I've been changing gears a lot - took me a while to figure it all out in the beginning but seem to have found my comfort zones now  

 

So if I'm riding three-four times a week and doing 20-30km per ride, how often should I clean & lube the chain? And how much lube does it need? 

[LexieB]

Try the below link, it's an old video but brilliant

 

 

Thanks! 

[JA-Q001]

Thanks for the advice!

 

I've been changing gears a lot - took me a while to figure it all out in the beginning but seem to have found my comfort zones now

 

So if I'm riding three-four times a week and doing 20-30km per ride, how often should I clean & lube the chain? And how much lube does it need? 

 

If you ride gravel roads, try and wipe your chain clean at least every 3rd ride and put a drop of oil on each roller, spin the cranks around a few times and wipe down again. If you are on tar roads, wipe down once every week or every second week, and lube same way. Should be sufficient. 

[NordicElf]

Thanks for the advice!

 

I've been changing gears a lot - took me a while to figure it all out in the beginning but seem to have found my comfort zones now

 

So if I'm riding three-four times a week and doing 20-30km per ride, how often should I clean & lube the chain? And how much lube does it need? 

 

 

I think twice a week but if it rains or your ride through puddles or sand, the have a look at it and make a call. As long as you lube it well, you can't clean it too often. But I know mine is dirty by the way the gears change, so it's something you get a feel for. Well that's what I've found... I'm sure someone will disagree... 

 

A good tip I got for lubing, is you hold the bottle at an angle to the chain and turn the cranks backwards, 10 turns will have gone through the chain twice. A little lube dribbles out as the chain passes under it. Give it a few minutes and if you use wet lube, give it a wipe with a tissue, you want the lube in the chain links, the rollers. I was using wax lube but now I'm trying out wet lube. 

 

I like a clean chain. I've got rather pedantic about t...

[BarHugger]

15:33 and no LurchTheStalker yet.............

[xcd]

Clean with some washing powder it cuts grease the best and then oil as explained

Ride with a straight chain and remember some gears are duplicated so you don't have to use every gear. Your front derailer might need some adjusting

[Enduro_Jakes]

Thanks for the advice!

 

I've been changing gears a lot - took me a while to figure it all out in the beginning but seem to have found my comfort zones now

 

So if I'm riding three-four times a week and doing 20-30km per ride, how often should I clean & lube the chain? And how much lube does it need? 

Forward to 1:54 for chain lube. Also, just subscribe to GMBN, it is EXTREMELY helpful with tons of awesome videos

 

[Lurch the stalker]

15:33 and no LurchTheStalker yet.............

Well I have nothing to add, but this will make BarHugger feel better

[BDF]

LexieB,

 

Was the bike doing this before or is it a new problem?

 

On a road bike (10 speed back cluster or less) my view is that you should be able to use all your gears on both chain rings in the front.

 

Although it is not ideal to cross the chain you should be able to in a pinch.

 

Did the front derailleur get bumped by any chance? It is possible that is has gone slightly out of alignment or even that there needs to be small adjustments made to the cable tension.

 

What kind of equipment do you have on the bike? (Shimano 105/ Sram - colour)?