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Let's Solve my Weird Shifting Problem. With video!

Beth_SBeth_S
in General Training Discussions

My bike's shifting ended up very off while racing Timberman after I a) dumped a full bottle of HEED on my and my bike, b) flew over a few frost heaves. I was so bad, I had about six functional gears most of the time. Front shifting was always fine. The rear? I've learned all about derailleurs and have gotten it to shift properly -- mostly. It makes the weirded, creepiest sound in the big + 17 and doesn't shift there easily.  Thoughts on what to check next? See video for details.

Thank you!

 

p.s. I also have a very new chain on the bike. Is it too long? 

 

Comments

  • JustMikeJustMike
    Hey Beth,

    I definitely agree your chain is too long, it has an obvious sag in it. I'm not so sure that's causing that weird noise in your 17 though. Do you see anything jumping / popping on the RD when you pedal it? It only does that in the 17?

    I'm assuming you've messed with the cable tension, but that would be the first thing to check. If you loosened the RD cable and pushed the RD to the 17 and held it there with your fingers, does it still do it? No stuck links? Do you still have the old chain...if so you could swap and check that.

    I dunno, maybe shop time...
  • Steve WestSteve West
    Heed on the bike? Did you try cleaning and lubing the RD cable? I'm thinking sticky stuff....... impossible to adjust....beheaving badly....
  • patachinpatachin

    Beth, chain looks at least an inch too long.  I put a ultegra compact on my rig last week and had to shorten the chain 2 inches otherwise shifting was totally unreliable.  You might start w/that.  Assuming you didn't bend/break any derailleur parts, it probably just needs adjustment and cleaning.  John

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    Chain is way too long and you could also use a RD adjustment.
  • Beth_SBeth_S
    Thanks all!

    Progress! I scrubbed everything. Everything. And then did a RD adjustment/check the Front deraileur - which was a little bit off, but nothing terrible, and a little bit of a shifting tweak. Everything shifts to the proper gear. It is still noisy.

    I'm correct in that I'll have to take the bike back to the shop to fix the chain, since I don't have any spare pins?

    The cool thing is that there was a little jump I've hated and had no less than six mechanics tell me it was fine. Jump gone!
  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    The pins won't be the issue since you'll be removing some links. You will need some sort of chain tool.
  • kjanracingkjanracing
    I have a couple thoughts... The HEED that got dumped could be making the derailure cables sticky so they don't pull/release the intended amount when you shift. Couldn't tell if the shift cables go under the bottom bracket, but that is a place that gets really crapped up and sticky. Who put the chain on? Did the noise start with the new chain? Could be a pin or quick link isn't seated correctly. Yes, the chain is too long. If you need more help, it may be good to take a pic of the cassett and rear D from the rear while someone turns the pedals. Might see something there.
  • Chris M.Chris M.

     +1 to what Bob and others have said.  That chain is WAY too long and your RD needs a tweak, possibly just from the barrel adjuster.  That noise is just the chain trying to jump to the next cog on the cassette but repeatedly falling back to its current location. 

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    Beth, if you watch your video closely you can see your chain jump when switching gears. It's kind of subtle but it's there. I'm glad Chris picked up on that too. I didn't want to say anything at first because I thought it was just the way I was seeing things.
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