Gears skipping

[Joey Shabadoo]

Hi all. T'other day I changed my chain as I felt after 3 years it probably needed changing - it had started falling off the front sprocket occasionally too. I had a bit of a palaver changing the chain, a Clarkes job from Halfords. Today I was out on a 40 mile run and the chain started randomly jumping around the cassette, especially going up hills. Do I need to index the gears? Is that a difficult job?

 

[stephec]

Depending on the state of your old chain it might have been that worn that it's knackered your cassette as well.

 

[ianrauk]

Yep, sounds like a worn cassette too.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Bugger

 

[Headgardener]

I have the same problem with a new KMC chain that I have fitted to my Dawes Horizion although the chain only jumps when top gear is selected, all the other gears work just fine. It only happens when I am riding the bike, put the bike on the stand and it works just fine. Can you get replacement cogs for a cassette separatly or do I need to purchase a new cassette?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Can you get replacement cogs for a cassette separately or do I need to purchase a new cassette?

Nope, but luckily cassettes are generally cheap enough anyway. Have you checked your limiter screws? Of course you may need a new cassette if your old chain had worn too much before being replaced.

 

[JasonHolder]

Skipping as in slipping on one gear or jumping gear?

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

The damn chain was rattling all over the cassette at one point until I shifted gear again.

 

[JasonHolder]

Probably adjustment. You should be able to sort that out

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Well I had a play this afternoon. I'll take it out tomorrow and see how it behaves under load but I see a new cassette is only £7.99 so no biggie if I have to change it.

 

[User269]

Sometimes you can get away with it, but as a general rule if you need to change the chain you'll need to change the cassette as well..........................but what do I know?

 

[cyberknight]

I did the same today and i need a new cassette , the sram quick link was really hard to join and would nto slot in even when connected right and under full tensionso i had to use a kmc quick link which slotted in nice and easy.
I have a cassette in stock so i intend to change it tonight after kids have gone to bed.

 

[sackville d]

I use a chain wear indicator.As the chain wears (or stretches) it gets out of synch with the teeth of the cassette and chainrings and this is when damage is caused.Expensive damage!

Chain wear indicators tell us if the chain is within tolerance for use . If the indicator is saying between 50% and 75% wear then keep riding into the great blue beyond waving to all that you see. If the indicator is saying between 75% and 100% wear its time to fit a new chain.
If its beyond 100% you are now damaging your cassette and chainrings while riding and you are very naughty

This is a new chain

This is a chain which needs to be replaced in the near future but still has life in it, and no,I don`t have any shots of totally worn chains.....How dare you!

 

[sackville d]

Sorry folks,this shot better illustrates how the tool is used.

 

[Headgardener]

Where do I get one of those from as at the moment I use a plastic thing by Park tools that also can be used to recover a fallen chain (came free with a MTB mag as I remember) and are they very expensive? Oh and thanks Smokeysmoo I had a feeling that I could not do something so simple as that.

Edit. Found one of the chain measureing tools at Evans and is now ordered.