Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

forum
road.cc bike forum

Big ring over-shifting problem: flummoxed!

by flobble
Tue, Nov 29, 2011 14:17
9

Completely bamboozled by this one, so calling on the collective wisdom of the road.cc community.

I recently replaced the chain on my road bike, and now when I shift from small ring to big ring, it jumps off the outside edge of the chainring. Every time.

Things I've tried without success:

1. Adjusting the big ring limit screw so the mech doesn't move so far.

2. Moving the whole mech closer to the chainring so there isn't enough room for chain to pass between mech and chainring. Just falls off the chainring in front of the mech instead.

3. Changing to the big ring slowly.

Most infuriatingly...

4. Putting the old chain back on (not too worn, about 0.75mm stretched) Still happens!!!

The only thing I can think of is that the big ring has worn out and needs replacing, but I'd be very surprised if this would cause such a sudden change in behaviour; I'd expect the overshifting to happen a little at first, then increasingly often, but it happens everytime now!

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

9 comments

Avatar
joemmo | 13 years ago
0 likes

also, it's possible for the outer plate of the mech to get bent or bowed a bit so check that it's straight and if not, apply some oomph to wangle it back in line

Avatar
SideBurn | 13 years ago
0 likes

To change properly the front mech needs to be precisely parallel to the chain ring...Could you have moved it slightly when swapping the chain? Worth checking

Avatar
arrieredupeleton | 13 years ago
0 likes

Interesting advice from Dave and I'm sure its good for the short-term but continued use wont be good news for your new chain. As this wears it will also accelerate wear on the cassette. I think you'll have to bite the bullet if this is the case. If you've another bike, it would be worth swapping the chainset over to double check that is the issue.

Avatar
dave atkinson replied to arrieredupeleton | 13 years ago
0 likes
arrieredupeleton wrote:

Interesting advice from Dave and I'm sure its good for the short-term but continued use wont be good news for your new chain.

true dat. best to sort it sooner rather than later (note to self: sort it sooner rather than later)

Avatar
dave atkinson | 13 years ago
0 likes

I would suggest that it is that your outer chainring is worn, and the chain doesn't seat properly. I've just had the same thing happen to me, and it just suddenly started happening and wouldn't stop.

I've moved the limit screw in which helps a bit, the thing I find helps most is to do the opposite of what you'd expect: keep the power on as you shift, don't ease off. This keeps tension in the chain and helps it to seat on the teeth. Works nine times out of ten for me. Sooner or later I'm going to have to replace the chainring though.

what's the chainset, out of interest?

Avatar
flobble | 13 years ago
0 likes

Cable tension is fine as far as I can tell. Sits on the limiter screw with cable just taut when on the small ring, so not over-tight or over-loose.

Avatar
giff77 | 13 years ago
0 likes

I may be thinking back to front here, always get mixed up on this one!! what about the tension in the cable??

Avatar
flobble | 13 years ago
0 likes

Limiter screw works, yes.
And mech is positioned as close to the teeth as I can get it without fouling. Will double check though.

The problem appeared when I changed the chain - no mech movements involved.

Avatar
arrieredupeleton | 13 years ago
0 likes

I would check that the limiter screw is doing its job first. It may have become cross-threaded or generally gunked up if you've been riding in poor weather. I assume you haven't repositioned the front mech? You need max 2mm between the cage and the top of the chainset teeth.

Have you removed the chainset or BB recently?

Latest Comments