Chain Slap

[Rouge Penguin]

Does everyone suffer from some degree of the chain sitting the frame when riding rough trails?

While out yesterday, we were on the down hill sections of Swinley and the chain kept hitting the frame over the rougher sections. I try to keep it middle cog up front and middle ish on rear.

Do i need to take a link out or is normal?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Normal. If you have any doubt about your chain length you can always check it with a chain length calculator. Most bikes come with a chainstay protector and if yours doesn't have one should get one.

 

[henshaw11]

Alternatively wrap/tape a length of old inner tube round the chainstay...in the past I've used plastic card and lobbed boiling water over it to reform it, but it's a PITA trying to get a curve in it before it cools...

Not only is it normal, but with a Shimano mech on a FS you may well get the mech slapping the chainstay from below too, as it pivots fore/aft