chain slip

[Simontm]

Hey all,

My chain started slipping the gears on the cassette after it's 'service' at Evans Cycles. A cursory look (I'll do a proper recce at the weekend when I have time) suggests that the links are fine, there is no over-slack and there are no bent teeth.

So I was wondering: Do I need to tighten the cable? As in is there a mix-message so to speak being sent to the back about which gear to be in?

It's confusing the hell out of me and since the brake seizure, I am now wondering what else did Evans do to the bike while it was in.

 

[Globalti]

The cable has probably stretched our the outer settled. Learn how to adjust cable length and do other simple maintenance jobs and avoid the need to hand your precious bike to a clown in a shop.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

What exactly did they service? Any idea how many miles the bike has done, Under 1000?

 

[Simontm]

The cable has probably stretched our the outer settled. Learn how to adjust cable length and do other simple maintenance jobs and avoid the need to hand your precious bike to a clown in a shop.

That's what I thought - Been too busy to just sit down and do a proper check through - hopefully this weekend. And will definitely avoid those clowns!

Cheers

 

[Simontm]

What exactly did they service? Any idea how many miles the bike has done, Under 1000?

Good question Now in discussions with Evans as it is only a couple of months old. I reckon I've done about 500 miles or so.

 

[Globalti]

The idea of doing a "service" on a bike is batty anyway; it's not a car where you need to change oils and filters and not much else. A bicycle is a collection of systems that need to be tweaked and kept in adjustment to get the best from them and the only way to do that is to learn to do it yourself.

I despair when I see people posting that their bike "has just been serviced " and they expect it to be running perfectly. You will only know when a something needs attention if you are attuned to the sound and feel of it or if you take the time to inspect it carefully; which you can't expect a mechanic in a bike shop to do when he's under pressure and being distracted by colleagues, customers, loud music and his mobile phone.

Bike "servicing" is a boring, tiring, tedious job that makes no profit no matter how much the shop charges. Speaking as a bike fettler who has tried, briefly, to make a living from servicing bikes, there's nothing more depressing or de-motivating that receiving a bike in a filthy neglected condition from a customer who expects you to wave a magic wand and make it like new again, especially when you know that your efforts won't be appreciated and they will continue to abuse and neglect the bike.

The simplest and cheapest answer is to buy some tools and learn to do your own maintenance. That way, when the bike breaks out on the road, you've a better chance of fixing it yourself.

 

[thecube]

Fair point Globalti, but not everyone is so practically adept at doing such a job. I know you learn with practise, but you also learn from mistakes, these could be costly. I have tried to do a little myself, but would like to find a local course to help demonstrate some of the more difficult tasks. There is also a fear of mucking things up! However, I agree with you in principale.

 

[Globalti]

I do accept that some people simply don't understand mechanical systems or don't have the time or the interest but basic tasks like derailleur adjustment are easy to learn and there are loads of "how to" videos on YouTube.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I do as much of my bike maintenance as I can....

Can do...
Cable replacement,
Tyres,
Brakes,
Chain replacement (if using with quicklink), I hate link removal!
Cassette change,
Wheel Bearing servicing/ replacement
Bottom bracket replacement
Gear Adjustment - If I can't get to the bottom of a problem I will take it in to a bike mechanic.
Groupset removal and replacement, derailleurs, mechs, chainrings etc

Can't do
Headset service or repair X
Chain replacement (if needs shortening) X
Fixing stuff I don't understand...(happens a lot, I usually discuss the issue with the mechanic before and after the fix so I learn a little more with each issue) . X
Wheel straightening X
Spoke Replacement X

 

[thecube]

I can do brakes (the bit on the rims not the brake levers) and basic stuff. I have recently changed a chain and it did need links removing. In the past i've adjusted gears but only with a screw driver, I've never tightend a the cables up, this i'm not so sure about. I have started watching youtube clips, but they always seem to work on very clean and perfect running bikes. Sometimes that doesn't reflect what we are actually faced with!

 

[Smokin Joe]

The idea of doing a "service" on a bike is batty anyway; it's not a car where you need to change oils and filters and not much else. A bicycle is a collection of systems that need to be tweaked and kept in adjustment to get the best from them and the only way to do that is to learn to do it yourself.

I despair when I see people posting that their bike "has just been serviced " and they expect it to be running perfectly. You will only know when a something needs attention if you are attuned to the sound and feel of it or if you take the time to inspect it carefully; which you can't expect a mechanic in a bike shop to do when he's under pressure and being distracted by colleagues, customers, loud music and his mobile phone.

Bike "servicing" is a boring, tiring, tedious job that makes no profit no matter how much the shop charges. Speaking as a bike fettler who has tried, briefly, to make a living from servicing bikes, there's nothing more depressing or de-motivating that receiving a bike in a filthy neglected condition from a customer who expects you to wave a magic wand and make it like new again, especially when you know that your efforts won't be appreciated and they will continue to abuse and neglect the bike.

The simplest and cheapest answer is to buy some tools and learn to do your own maintenance. That way, when the bike breaks out on the road, you've a better chance of fixing it yourself.

I'll second that. Most "Servicing jobs" consist of little more than a turn of an adjuster. We're not talking strip downs and part replacements but little tweaks that compensate for wear in cables and play in bearings and are no more complicated than changing a fuse on a plug.

 

[zacklaws]

Possibly they did a poor job of tuning up your gears and never test rode it probably, in which case, just learn how to use the adjuster on the rear mech to retune it. Very simple job and takes seconds. On my Shimano rear mech, if the shift is outwards into a smaller sprocket, then standing at the rear, just turn the shifter 2 clicks anti clockwise, if it does not cure the problem, repeat, if it starts skipping inwards, then turn back one click or two clockwise till you get the sweet spot and it stops skipping

I presume by the term "slipping" it is jumping into another gear, in which case the above applies.

If by the term "slipping" means, the chains just slipping on the required sprocket and not onto another sprocket, then did Evans fit a new chain? and if so, then it probably means your sprocket is worn out, but after only 500 miles it should not be!!!!!!!

If its a new cable they fitted, then its probably stretched and it just needs tightening using the adjuster on the rear mech, as by the procedure at the top

It could also be caused by a bent hangar, which I doubt, but has Evans tried to straighten a straight hanger, thinking its bent and resulted in bending it beleiving they straightened it??? Sounds impossible, but stange things happen!!!

 

[EasyPeez]

On my Shimano rear mech, if the shift is outwards into a smaller sprocket, then standing at the rear, just turn the shifter 2 clicks anti clockwise, if it does not cure the problem, repeat"

You make it sound so simple!
I'm faced with exactly this problem on my new bike (Shimano Tiagra) after riding it just 200-odd miles. So I'm going to have a go at adjusting it tomorrow (if the weather's dry). It would be lovely if your method works and I don't have to get my screwdrivers out!
When you say "turn the shifter 2 clicks" - by shifter do you mean barrel adjuster? And by 2 clicks do you mean 2x full 360 revolutions? Or 2 quarter revolutions? Don't think mine makes a clicking sound when turned.
Thanks.

 

[Pale Rider]

You make it sound so simple!
I'm faced with exactly this problem on my new bike (Shimano Tiagra) after riding it just 200-odd miles. So I'm going to have a go at adjusting it

Have a go yourself by all means, but adjustments like this are exactly what free first services on new bikes are for.

 

[EasyPeez]

Have a go yourself by all means, but adjustments like this are exactly what free first services on new bikes are for.

Yeah but I bought my bike in York and live in Hull so it's not exactly a case of popping round the corner. I have it booked in for a first service at start of May, but I figure this is something that is likely to need doing periodically so is a skill worth learning? Was surprised it went out of whack so soon - you'd expect it to take more than 200 miles before this occurred normally wouldn't you?