All the symptoms of a frayed gear cable but...

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

OK - I have reached a conclusion. It is the rear derailleur. Not sure what I can do about it, but after a thorough clean the situation has improved but not cleared completely, however, I now have a new symptom... and its a really annoying squeak/squeal that only happens around 37 miles into a ride/commute (don't ask - it is either that or my bike knows which road it is on and is complaining loudly about it because it happens along the same section of roads each time now).

But I want to check before I go any further. The new symptoms include this exceptionally loud squeak which starts after a certain period of use, it stops when I stop pedalling (read on) and then I can carry on pedalling and it will stay gone right up until I change gear again (rear only)... then it will start up again. Strangely it does seem to disappear of its own accord before the journey is done (so on my 44 mile commute, it comes in around 37 miles and disappears before 40 miles )

weird I know, but has anyone anymore thoughts on the matter? I have another 44 mile commute tomorrow, then 2 days before I take the bike on holiday to Scotland and I really need to know the bike is OK... my thoughts currently are regarding an LBS and a new rear derailleur, though I would need to change models because the one I have on is a short reach derailleur and it is meant to only take a max of 26 teeth and I have an 11-28 cassette on (which has been on since Easter last year). Current derailleur is maxed out on the reach/adjustment screw so it could have potentially caused this issue, or I have simply worn yet another part out, which I am happy to consider...

thoughts please?

 

[Crackle]

I'd go for the jockey wheels on the squeak.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I'd go for the jockey wheels on the squeak.

how would I tell they are worn please? something I have never managed to wear out before, but I guess there is always a 1st time!

 

[Crackle]

how would I tell they are worn please? something I have never managed to wear out before, but I guess there is always a 1st time!

I guess they do wear but normally it's just accumulated muck and they need taking apart and cleaning and given a wee bit of lube.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I think both sets of symptom can be generated by a loose cone/worn freehub within the rear hub... the possibility is not difficult to logically eliminate by checking how tight the locknuts on each side are at the rear hub are and whether the axle can move laterally in relation to the cassette once the wheel is off - but of course there can be many other possible reasons.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I think both sets of symptom can be generated by a loose cone/worn freehub within the rear hub... the possibility is not difficult to logically eliminate by checking how tight the locknuts on each side are at the rear hub are and whether the axle can move laterally in relation to the cassette once the wheel is off - but of course there can be many other possible reasons.

I hope not - the wheels are fairly new (relatively speaking) and strava components tells me they have only covered 3,750km or thereabouts since new (Fulcrum Racing 7 CX's) haven't even needed to change the sealed bearings yet from new. Will check the locknuts before I ride it tomorrow, but I still have the same issues (just not as badly as before) with the gear changes on the rear and know I am maxing out the rear derailleur - it is only a short reach derailleur and there does seem to be some 'play' in it in that I can change its position and it will hold that changed position - something none of the mtb's do and have not checked with my OH's road bike...

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I hope not - the wheels are fairly new (relatively speaking) and strava components tells me they have only covered 3,750km or thereabouts since new (Fulcrum Racing 7 CX's) haven't even needed to change the sealed bearings yet from new. Will check the locknuts before I ride it tomorrow, but I still have the same issues (just not as badly as before) with the gear changes on the rear and know I am maxing out the rear derailleur - it is only a short reach derailleur and there does seem to be some 'play' in it in that I can change its position and it will hold that changed position - something none of the mtb's do and have not checked with my OH's road bike...

The cage length of a rear mech determines the wrap range not the largest sprocket it can handle per se. If your chain is not slack on small small then cage length is not an issue. I don't think the 28T is likely a problem - if you don't like the clearance between the top jockey and the 28T you can adjust the B screw.

If your wheel is Racing 7 then you don't have cup and cone but it is still possible that there is play in the sealed bearings or freehub, am not sure if it is possible to adjust preload for those wheels though.

 

[Sharky]

It's just nature's way of saying that you should convert to fixed/SS! Never have any slipping on my SS, but can't say the same for some of the gears bikes that I have had.

Cheers Keith

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

It's just nature's way of saying that you should convert to fixed/SS! Never have any slipping on my SS, but can't say the same for some of the gears bikes that I have had.

Cheers Keith

nature also has me partially paralysed as well - down my left side (11 ops on my left wrist, damage to the spine in the neck from the same incident and also then so some reason a pack of dogs decided I would make a good meal - they handily also go the left side of me, redesigning my lower left leg...) not sure I would last very well on a fixed/ss, but I do have a bike with a rohloff hub and love it, but it is way too expensive to be leaving around unlocked and way too heavy for me to carry up and down the stairs each and every time I want to go out on my bike. Don't worry, I know you probably don't know.

 

[Sharky]

You've had a tough time, sorry to hear all that. Hope you get the gears sorted.

Keith

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

You've had a tough time, sorry to hear all that. Hope you get the gears sorted.

Keith

don't worry - like I said, I know you don't know. It took me 7 years just to get cycling again after the original accident (at work)... the dogs redesigning my leg terminated me cycling around the world - where the Rohloff hub came in... much much prefer them, just don't think I can ever use a SS/fixed without it coming with a set of hub gears! Suspect in years to come I will get up on a trike due to the balance issues getting worse but for the time being, I can pretend to be a normal, but slow cyclist!

 

[young Ed]

don't worry - like I said, I know you don't know. It took me 7 years just to get cycling again after the original accident (at work)... the dogs redesigning my leg terminated me cycling around the world - where the Rohloff hub came in... much much prefer them, just don't think I can ever use a SS/fixed without it coming with a set of hub gears! Suspect in years to come I will get up on a trike due to the balance issues getting worse but for the time being, I can pretend to be a normal, but slow cyclist!

the answer is this!

Cheers Ed

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

the answer is this!

Cheers Ed

nah, whilst the recumbrant side of life would suit my bad/failing wrist I am not ready to go there yet - had my eye on something like this... I usually meet a guy on one somewhere between Sandbach and Middlewich (Cheshire) each and every time I commute over to my parents' home. It has taken a while, but I finally have him saying hello to me and I see him smile and cheer up when he sees me and for the last few rides he has said hello first!

 

[young Ed]

nah, whilst the recumbrant side of life would suit my bad/failing wrist I am not ready to go there yet - had my eye on something like this... I usually meet a guy on one somewhere between Sandbach and Middlewich (Cheshire) each and every time I commute over to my parents' home. It has taken a while, but I finally have him saying hello to me and I see him smile and cheer up when he sees me and for the last few rides he has said hello first!

View attachment 39727

that is what you need then! i would love that
i am only 15 and i feel 'ready to go recumbent' but will be building my own from scratch
Cheers Ed

 

[byegad]

I had similar issues with one of my trikes and after lots of mucking around replaced the outer which solved the issue. On inspection the outer was full of dirt.