What should I do?!?

[Snapper88]

Hi

I'm new to the site & have been cycling for 7months, so pretty new to that as well.

I had cleaned my drivetrain with degreaser, washed it off, let it dry for 1hour then put my wet lube on. All seemed fine even went on a ride over 24miles. 2 days later my chain starts slipping when I go up hill or put any resistance into my pedals (i.e pushing off at traffic lights)
My normal gear ratio for up hill climbs is 2nd (front) & 4th (rear)
The chain only seems to slip in 2:3, 2:4 & 2:6 (my most used gear ratios)

I've looked over my cassette & cant see much sign of wear (comparing to an unused gear) however I'm not sure what I should be looking for & I can't get to my LBS anytime soon for them to check it over for me.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Rear cogs/chain worn?

 

[Kies]

7 months of cycling shouldn't mean a worn cassette and chain, but it depends on how much crossing of the chain you do with front/rear gear selection and cleaning regime. I would try re indexing the gears. Google and YouTube are your friend.

 

[paul04]

Like Kies said, your gears might need adjusting. maybe a simple turn on the cable adjuster on the rear derailleur could fix the problem.

There are quite a few videos on you tube, like this one


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkzvfCaIbyQ

 

[ianrauk]

Paul04 beat me to it with the video.

Your gears probably just need a tweak.

 

[Snapper88]

I've followed the video (very helpful) gears change smoothly & was quite easy to do (saved me some money in the future)
Took my bike up the hill outside my house & it is still slipping. Did a small test ran the same hill in 3:4 instead of 2:4 & no slippage. On further inspection I have noticed the teeth on my 2 gear (front (still unsure what to call it)) look more like shark teeth. I assume this is the problem as the other gears do not look like it.

Thanks for all the help

 

[MaxInc]

How old is the bike / chain / rear cassette (gear set)? It may be that the chain is stretched and / or rear cassette is worn which may cause the chain to slip but I would expect this to be very unusual for a new bike.

 

[Snapper88]

Bike is 7momths old had a new cassette installed roughly 2months ago but I believe everything else is 7months old

 

[Ness]

New cassette? Why was that?
And did they put a new chain on at the same time?

 

[Snapper88]

I was advised by my LSB on a new cassette because it was a cheap halfords one & was wearing quickly. It was replaced about 500miles old I'm not sure if the chain was replaced at the same time

 

[Ness]

I would sincerely hope that they did!!
Get yourself a chain wear checker. You can get them for a few quid. If you keep an eye on the chain and replace it when it starts to wear, you should be able to get through 3 or 4 before the cassette needs changing.
It's also a myth to think that a chain stretches. What happens is that the rollers/pins wear down thus giving extra spacing between them. If you leave it too long, it will deform the teeth on the cassette and possibly the chainrings. This then turns into an expensive hobby!!
The most common reason for the chain to slip is a bent derailleur hanger. You haven't said what bike it is though. MTB? Road? Make? Model?

 

[Snapper88]

That is very handy to know thank you. It is just a cheap halfords MTB that I should never have bought. I am currently looking at getting a new bike as this one has become an untrust worthy bike.

Any help on choosing a new one? I ride to & from work in town 10miles a day & enjoy a long distance ride at weekends. I'm not a small guy & was looking at a hybrid but I don't really do alot of off roading so maybe a touring?

 

[Snapper88]

Make is Apollo Verge treated as a starter bike cheap one from Halfords (advised after buying from there not to)

 

[smokeysmoo]

For advice on how to 'clean' your chain check THIS out

 

[RWright]

It could be time for a new center ring on the front if you notice it being worn.