Why does my bike chain go slack when I stop pedaling?
If your chain is getting slack on top when you stop pedalling or backpedal, then the problem is in your freehub (or freewheel, whichever you have), a dirty freehub will cause all the problems you’ve listed, even on a brand new bike.
Why is my bike chain slack?
Chains become loose for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is a new chain on an old bike. Older bikes obviously have older and more worn-down components. Placing a new chain on these worn-down parts can cause the chain to jump and slip around as you ride.
Why does my chain slip when I pedal?
Gear indexing issues One of the most common reasons for a skipping chain is simply a drivetrain that needs a simple indexing adjustment. This is so common that even many brand new bikes can exhibit these symptoms. The good news is that this is probably the simplest to diagnose and fix of all potential issues.
Why does my chain keep getting loose?
Many times, if your chain keeps getting loose, it means the axle or those chain tensioning bolts are not tight enough. This is the cause of a loose chain 90% of the time. If the teeth on the front sprocket or rear sprocket (or both) are worn down, it can also cause a chain to become loose.
Why does my bike chain keep stretching?
Chain wear is commonly referred to as ‘chain stretch’, because the chain’s pitch grows in length as it wears. This is the most important type of chain wear, and the growth comes from the bushings wearing with the chain pins. Overtime, the inner diameter of these bushings increase and the pins groove out.
What causes chain slack?
A motorcycle chain that keeps getting loose is usually caused by the rear axle or chain tensioning bolts not being tight enough. It can also be cause by a new chain not being worn in enough, worn down sprocket teeth, having too tight of a tension, or having the wrong size of chain installed.
How much slack should there be in a bike chain?
It should be tight enough that it only allows you to move it up and down about one inch. If it is sagging or much looser than that, you need to tighten that chain up.
How much chain slack is too much?
Push up on the bottom of the chain and note the distance between the full-slack (lower) position and the no-slack (upper) position on the bottom . 1.2–1.6 inches (30–40 mm) is typical for streetbikes, while dirt bikes may need 1.4–2.0 inches (35–50 mm) of slack.
How do I know if my chain is too loose?
To find out whether your chain is too long take a look at it from the side with your eyes being level with the chain. A loose chain will sag close to or below the chainstays as the chain hangs between the rear cogs and chainring. The chain might skip as you pedal, or even drop off the gears.
How do I stop my timing chain from stretching?
Regular maintenance and regular oil changes, using the correct oil, every 5,000 miles is the best way to combat timing chain stretch and failure.
Why does my bike chain slip in high gear?
When your bike chain skips between gears while you’re riding, or shifts twice instead of once when you try to change gears, the most common culprit is a loose cable. Your bike cables naturally stretch over time.
Why is my bike chain jumping?
Most of the time, a skipping chain is caused by cable stretch. In the first half dozen rides on a new bike your shift cables stretch the most. They can also stretch over time as you ride. Hippley explains, “It takes cable tension to open a derailleur, which shifts your chain between gears.
What happens when the chain of cycle become loose?
A loose chain can cause accelerated wear of your drivetrain components, leading to premature cassette or freewheel or cog replacement, chainring replacement, or chain replacement.
Why does my chain get slack when I backpedal?
The key to this problem is that you say the chain gets slack when you backpedal. This indicates with some certainty that your freewheel is the problem. To dispense with all doubt, remove the chain entirely from the gears on your rear wheel and spin the gears with your hands. It should spin easily and make a satisfying clicking noise.
How to fix a bike chain that Won’t Spin?
I’d ride the bike a few times, the chain would get noisy and wouldn’t spin backwards, so I’d lube it and it would work again. I finally fixed it by using a wet lube which seems to make it quieter and better running.
Does the chain come off when back pedalling on the road?
When back pedalling on the road, the bottom of the chain will bounce around and could probably come off because of that. The question for you is: Does the chain come off the top or bottom of the chain-ring?
What causes a bike chain to lock up?
Can also be caused by the derailleur chain tensioning pivot getting stiff with salt and crud (probably working in tandem with a less than perfectly free-flowing freehub). Happened to me last week in fact.