chain skipping under load

shrpshtr325

shrpshtr325

Infinite Source of Sarcasm
Team MTBNJ Halter's
any idea whats causing it, i can adjust cable tension to the point that i can get either the top or bottom half of the cassette to run (its dependent on which REAR gear it is running in). I have tried everything that i can think of so i figured i would ask the pros for suggestions. (it is only when accelerating as if from a stop, during normal riding it runs nice and smooth)

I have the park tool book which i am also going to check in after making this post, and i dont believe it is the rear cassette itself being worn unless i got a faulty cassette, (i know it came with an 8 speed chain on it when i got it so i changed it out rather early, and then i put another new chain on based on wear gauge early february, this started about 3 weeks after that, or 100 miles)

it started occurring after i got a flat rear tire.

any help is appreciated

thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Bent tooth on cassette or chainring or tight chain link????
Ed and Pat Gifford
the Snot Rocket tandem
 
Random thoughts here-
If it started happening after changing out a flat,
is the wheel properly seated in the dropouts?
Any chance you tweaked the hanger during the change?

Also assuming the cassette and chain are in good shape and are both the right speed, how is the derailleur cable?
Is it gunked up, does it move freely?
 
tight chainlink in the old chain is what prompted me to put a new chain on as early as i did, i cannot see any tight links watching it go around, and the problem is almost nonexistant on the highest gear (smallest rear cog).

i thought about the hanger part, and i just put the new one that i had on so i know that the hanger is not the issue it is brand new.

the cable moves nice and smooth (as far as i can tell, it is the original cable that came on the bike 3 years ago).

as for properly seated in the dropouts it seems to be seated all the way

could too tight of quick release skewer cause this? i did notice that when i tighten the quick release lever i can see some flex in the frame and hence the derailler hanger.
 
I'm not thinking the tightness of the skewer is the culprit,
but this sounds like it's due for a change.

shrpshtr325 said:
the cable moves nice and smooth (as far as i can tell, it is the original cable that came on the bike 3 years ago).
Click to expand...

Personally I'd try a fresh cable and new housing to see if that did the trick.
 
Not sure if I understood correctly but chain #1 was a 8 speed chain and chain #2 was 9 speed? If that's the case, maybe chain #1 wore the cassette in such a way that chain #2 is not liking it and the problem did not manifest itself immediately.
 
Sounds like the old " fresh chain on a worn cassette" dilema. The chain, rings and cassette all wear together. Depending on the wear the rings and cassette have on them a new chain may work like crap, because its not meshing with the teeth on the rings. Just a guess .:popcorn:
 
sounds, chain #1 was an 8 spd chain i ran that for 500 miles then changed to chain #2 which was the correct 9 speed chain.

fast forward to now (2400 miles or so on the bike) i realized that the chain was reaching the replacement point according to my chain wear gauge, so i put chain #3 on (also the correct 9 speed chain).

after putting the new chain on i managed to get in 2 rides (almost) before i got a flat, no problems at this point, after getting the flat i started having trouble with the skipping.

i will also add that it is worse on the low end of the cassette (the part i dont use very often) and the issue lessens when i ride on the big ring in the front over the middle or small rings, based on this information someone suggested that maybe the spring in my rear derailler had reached EOL, 3 years seems too short for the lifespan to me but i figured id run it by you guys and see what you thought.

thanks again for helping me out with this.

EDIT: just realized i still have the old chain, at your suggestion of worn cassette being the problem im going to put the old chain back on and see if the issue goes away, i hope it doesnt.
 
Last edited:
The Rose said:
Sounds like the old " fresh chain on a worn cassette" dilema. The chain, rings and cassette all wear together. Depending on the wear the rings and cassette have on them a new chain may work like crap, because its not meshing with the teeth on the rings. Just a guess .:popcorn:
Click to expand...

didnt seem likely to me since i keep an eye on the chain, i guess cassettes will eventually wear out even with frequent chain replacements,

i put the old chain back on just to see and the problem disappeared so i guess this was the cause all along (of course it was the answer staring me in the face and me not seeing it)



so when i replace the cassette i assume i can get any 9 speed cassette and i just have to adjust the derailler to it??

also how much concern is there of wearing out the front chainrings if i keep using this chain? do i need to order the new cassette asap or do i have time?
 
When you think of the high stress placed on a very small area ( Where the chain pin makes contact with the tooth of the chainring/cassette) it makes complete sense that they will wear. the biggest sign of rings or cassette in need of a replacement are the teeth becoming sharktoothed. But sometimes the issues like you have will begin before the wear on the rings has gotten that far. So, to answer you question, if it was me I would replace everything. Rings , chain and cassette. Things will always work better when your drivetrain components are made by the same manufacturer.
 
i figure i will stick with the same rear cassette (sram 950 11-32t)

i have a shimano rear derailler on this bike (it came this way i didnt do it)

i guess that makes it time for me to get a new cassette and do the swap asap.
 
I know you said you didn't think it was the hub but i was having the same problem and figured it to be the hub. I took it to a shop and they asured me that the hub was "fine" and it was a worn chain and casette. I had them replace them,picked uP my bike and went for a ride. Still skipping....so i bought a rebuild kit and rebuild the the hub. It's been fine ever since. Do your self a favor and make sure your your hub is fine. Maybe even clean it out and regrease it anyway. It can't hurt ;-)
 
at this point im still in college, so nothing major is going to get done until may after graduation when i have income (hopefully) and can afford to spend money, so for now i have the old chain back on and it seems to have alleviated the issue, for now im leaving well enough alone so that i at least have a bike to ride unless of course something blows up in my face at which point money will have to be spent.
 
shrpshtr325 said:
at this point im still in college, so nothing major is going to get done until may after graduation when i have income (hopefully) and can afford to spend money, so for now i have the old chain back on and it seems to have alleviated the issue, for now im leaving well enough alone so that i at least have a bike to ride unless of course something blows up in my face at which point money will have to be spent.
Click to expand...

Well, if the old chain works then your hub is fine 🙂
I guess you do need a chain/casette.
Good luck with school/job!
 
Last edited:
thanks alot man.


i plan on having the bike stripped down and greased/rebuilt come may when i have not only a job, but hopefully another bike. so that im not suck sitting around waiting for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom