Shimano chain issues

[Trevor-BFG]

Hi.

I've recently had a full drive train replacement on my Giant mtb, including cassette, chain ring, chain and derailleur wheels.

The chain is a Shimano M7100 12speed.

Straight after the work was done,  the chain started slipping.  Went back for a few adjustments but was still not right. 

By the time I had done 800km I was told the chain needs replacing soon, and that Shimano quality is not what it was.

I've now done 1000km and the gearing is terrible. Slipping, delayed changing,  jumping.  

Has anyone else had an experience like this with Shimano?

Thanks

[openmind]

Shimano shifting is the best in the business if properly set up. Either you have a fake chain and/or other parts (apparently common if you buy from dodgy sources) or you have a lousy mechanic. Perhaps try another mechanic and make sure you get your parts from a reputable source. Bad shifting can have a few different reasons apart from bad quality components. 

My Shimano group sets (multiple) shift perfectly and my chains last thousands of km.

[Graham W]

3 hours ago, Trevor-BFG said:

Hi.

I've recently had a full drive train replacement on my Giant mtb, including cassette, chain ring, chain and derailleur wheels.

The chain is a Shimano M7100 12speed.

Straight after the work was done,  the chain started slipping.  Went back for a few adjustments but was still not right. 

By the time I had done 800km I was told the chain needs replacing soon, and that Shimano quality is not what it was.

I've now done 1000km and the gearing is terrible. Slipping, delayed changing,  jumping.  

Has anyone else had an experience like this with Shimano?

Thanks

Think you might have a  fake chain and chain ring that are doing the rounds. Ups the profit margins. 

The local agents will be able to tell if they fake.

Also lots of fake KMC chains been sold 

[Tomik]

Your chain could also just be too long...and the derailleur badly adjusted. Buy a cheap chain checker tool and check for yourself. If chain OK, go to a better mechanic to adjust the derailleur, or watch YouTube videos and do it yourself. 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

3 hours ago, openmind said:

Shimano shifting is the best in the business if properly set up. Either you have a fake chain and/or other parts (apparently common if you buy from dodgy sources) or you have a lousy mechanic. Perhaps try another mechanic and make sure you get your parts from a reputable source. Bad shifting can have a few different reasons apart from bad quality components. 

My Shimano group sets (multiple) shift perfectly and my chains last thousands of km.

Amen 

[Trevor-BFG]

Thanks everyone. 

Will definitely be contacting the bike shop tomorrow again.

Let's hope it's a simple fix. 🙏 

 

[Jono]

Do a quick check to see how well your b limit has been set. It’s super easy on a Shimano 12 speed drivetrain and only takes 1 minute.. Go into the easiest gear, see if the teeth line up with the line on the derailleur. 

[Trevor-BFG]

This is mine.

A bit dirty from yesterday 

[Crazy Cyclist]

8 hours ago, Trevor-BFG said:

Hi.

I've recently had a full drive train replacement on my Giant mtb, including cassette, chain ring, chain and derailleur wheels.

The chain is a Shimano M7100 12speed.

Straight after the work was done,  the chain started slipping.  Went back for a few adjustments but was still not right. 

By the time I had done 800km I was told the chain needs replacing soon, and that Shimano quality is not what it was.

I've now done 1000km and the gearing is terrible. Slipping, delayed changing,  jumping.  

Has anyone else had an experience like this with Shimano?

Thanks

That mileage sounds perfect for a shimano slx chain. It all depends untill what level of wear you ride the chain. The 800km might be on the high side of % of wear. The SLX is their second from the bottom spec level, so do not expect to get 1500 or 2000km. If you want the longest lasting chain for your Shimano drivetrain, go with xtr

Your gears jumping could also be due to your current derailleur that is worn out. Just ask the bikeshop to temporarily replace the derailleur with a new or demo shimano one, and then you can test. Shimano derailleur are not as expensive when compared to sram.

Another thing that tells me that your derailleur might be the issue here is the shop that replaced your pulley wheels. Slx and deore pulley wheels do not have bearings. Instead they use bushings and have a lot of side to side play, even from new. The shop most probably replaced the drivetrain and when testing they weren't happy with the shifting. So they checked the pulley wheels and saw that play and replaced them with csixx pulley wheels, with bearings inside of them. Most of the time it improves the shifting slightly but never perfectly.

If they did the whole drivetrain replacement I hope they at least changed your gear cable and cable housing

[Mook]

Shimano chains(11/12) are directional. Branding should face outward.

I am purely guessing that this could also contribute to your problem if fitted inside out.

If not ..... please ignore this post 🫣

[Baracuda]

12 hours ago, Mook said:

Shimano chains(11/12) are directional. Branding should face outward.

I am purely guessing that this could also contribute to your problem if fitted inside out.

If not ..... please ignore this post 🫣

I had this issue and it makes an enormous difference.