Chain skip HELP

bikerguy · 06-07-2006, 06:19 PM

I just bought a new chain cause I snapped the old one. Its an xt chain, and I am using xt and lx derailurs. The chain skips every time I put a decent strong pedal into it. Is my cassete f'd or something. It doesn't change gears or anything, just doesn't hold on for a little bit. Its pissing me off cause I can't figure it out and I don't trust my bike to be ridden. when the original chain broke, I sent my knee straight into the top of my fork. don't want that to happen again. any advice on how to fix the skipping?

MTBTHIS · 06-07-2006, 07:20 PM

Did you fit it right? like tension the chain? make sure there isnt a lot of slack in the chain, if so, take out as many links you need to make the chain tight enough to where you can pinch about 2-4 links to together rather easily if you know what im saying.
-Phill

bikerguy · 06-07-2006, 08:05 PM

I have 108 links in it because thats what the stock chain had, and I never had a problem with skipping. I don't think tension is a problem because I have an e.13 chainguide keeping it fairly well tensioned.

SuperJ · 06-07-2006, 08:35 PM

if your old chain was worn enough then theres a good chance you need a new cassete and possibly chainrings (unless you have a single up front then that should be fine). first look at your deraileur and see if its visably bent or its pivots are sloppy. If thats not the case i would be lead to believe you need a new chain.

pm me if you cant figure it out.
-Jeff

Sirbikesalot · 06-08-2006, 09:02 AM

Most likely you need a new cassette. But first, are you sure the derailer is alligned properly? The chain could be skipping between two gears. Also want to check and make sure you have both a 9 speed cassette and a 9 speed chain. Sounds like you migh have an 8 speed cassette with a 9 speed chain. count the cogs and make sure there are 9. Also, is the derailluer straight?

bikerguy · 06-08-2006, 04:01 PM

I took it to a shop today and they aligned the derailur, but it didn't do anything. After $20 in useless adjustment they said my cassette is worn out.

KevBurns · 06-08-2006, 05:05 PM

How many miles (or months) did you have on the chain before it snapped?
It's very common for the cassette and chainring to wear as the chain wears.

Your best bet is to replace the whole shebang. New cassette, new chain, new front chainring(s).
Replacing them all at once will give you the longest life and best performance out of all of the parts.

Replace your chain every 6 months
to keep your drivetrain from stretching like bikerguy's.

My XT cassette has seen 6 years of continued use and is still in great shape.
I've been through about 10 chains.

Any shop worth its beans can take a quick look at your chain and tell you if it needs replacing.
A new chain with installation will run you about $45, thats pretty cheap compared to bikerguy's $150-200 endeavor.

SuperJ · 06-08-2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirbikesalot

Most likely you need a new cassette. But first, are you sure the derailer is alligned properly? The chain could be skipping between two gears. Also want to check and make sure you have both a 9 speed cassette and a 9 speed chain. Sounds like you migh have an 8 speed cassette with a 9 speed chain. count the cogs and make sure there are 9. Also, is the derailluer straight?

An 8 speed cassette will work with a 9 speed chain. But a 9 speed cassete wont work with an 8 speed chain.

Depending on the type of riding you do you get about 300 to 500 miles out of a chain. Glad to Hear your bikes worken again

bikerguy · 06-09-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevBurns

How many miles (or months) did you have on the chain before it snapped?
It's very common for the cassette and chainring to wear as the chain wears.

Your best bet is to replace the whole shebang. New cassette, new chain, new front chainring(s).
Replacing them all at once will give you the longest life and best performance out of all of the parts.

Replace your chain every 6 months
to keep your drivetrain from stretching like bikerguy's.

My XT cassette has seen 6 years of continued use and is still in great shape.
I've been through about 10 chains.

Any shop worth its beans can take a quick look at your chain and tell you if it needs replacing.
A new chain with installation will run you about $45, thats pretty cheap compared to bikerguy's $150-200 endeavor.

I actually just bought a $20 xt chain and installed it myself. The cassette only cost me $35. I thought about getting the xt cassette but it was too much, so I got a sram. So, only $55 and my bike runs great again. I have had the bike for 10 months and was going to replace the chain soon, but I guess not soon enough. Getting a new chain in 6 months, breaking them can be painful.

KevBurns · 06-09-2006, 06:56 PM

Kudos :)

Sirbikesalot · 06-09-2006, 11:05 PM

Why would a 9 speed chain work with an 8 speed cassette? I would think the chain would be too skinny to properly grab the thicker 8 speed cassette, right?

quietriot447 · 06-10-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirbikesalot

Why would a 9 speed chain work with an 8 speed cassette? I would think the chain would be too skinny to properly grab the thicker 8 speed cassette, right?

i think the cog width is the same weather it be a 8 or 9 speed, but the difference was the space between cogs, the 8 speed chain would be to fat to fit and run smoothly on a 9 speed

SuperJ · 06-10-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirbikesalot

Why would a 9 speed chain work with an 8 speed cassette?

Because it does!