SRAM 12 speed set up - chain skipping

[silva]

OK thanks; as I suspected. I am staying with 12 speed
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071G9Y74V
and the XX1 chain I already have
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08B2QYB48
And a new £15 SRAM 32T front gear which looks exactly like my existing one.

Re the link (on the old chain, which recently started skipping) it does have an arrow and it pointed backwards, so I went to turn it around and found the other half is the same part so no way to have both halves pointing forward It also looks totally symmetrical. This chain was fitted by a bike shop. The skipping is not at all regular (like it was when I put the new XX1 chain on the other day) but happens maybe every 10 revs of the crank.
View attachment 806966

Please, no comments about age. If you eat quarterpounders, regular fries and strawberry shakes, like half the population, you won't be walking at 60+ let alone riding a bike! This bike is fine for me. BTW, I use the bottom 4 pretty evenly and #7 up a very steep short bit. I know 60+ and 70+ guys who will thrash most others.

Going to watch some videos on how to get the cassette off... needs special torx drivers with a hole in the middle. YT just have to be different.

I think the reason for that arrow stamped on the connection link has to do with safety rather than drivetrain operation / skipping - if that connection link hits something (= bang coming in from the running direction), the other pin, that doesn't sit in a sleeve, and has a large riveting, so stronger connection, will act as a shield.
If the bike shop put it like that, well, rather poor or no thinking involved, or, of course, We Don't Really Care, is also an explanation.

 

[chriswoody]

I think the reason for that arrow stamped on the connection link has to do with safety rather than drivetrain operation / skipping

Nope, if it's oriented the wrong way, then the chain skips, nothing to do with safety and all to do with the shape of the link itself. How do I know? because I made that mistake myself.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/what-have-you-fettled-today.87079/post-7145048

I fitted a new 12 speed chain to an old NX Eagle 12 speed cassette and the chain skipped on the smallest cog. After checking everything and doing some research I discovered that I'd put the quick link round the wrong way, after I changed it round silky smooth operation resumed. I've not made that mistake again and always check the orientation of the arrow.

 

[cyberknight]

If you dont need the easiest gears consider getting a cassette with a smaller spread of gears ? i think you have a 10-50 spread atm ?

 

[silva]

Nope, if it's oriented the wrong way, then the chain skips, nothing to do with safety and all to do with the shape of the link itself. How do I know? because I made that mistake myself.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/what-have-you-fettled-today.87079/post-7145048

I fitted a new 12 speed chain to an old NX Eagle 12 speed cassette and the chain skipped on the smallest cog. After checking everything and doing some research I discovered that I'd put the quick link round the wrong way, after I changed it round silky smooth operation resumed. I've not made that mistake again and always check the orientation of the arrow.

My comment was based on the shape of the link on the shown picture, I made a thought based on what I saw.

Ex. the quicklink type of connection link assembly (not the one here) has one plate with 2 pens riveted in it, with the other plate loose.
After the first part is put in place, the loose plate is shifted over the protruding pen ends, and its position is then secured with a third part, a clip, which has an open end, shaped alike a clamp. It's forced open a little, to allow going over the pens sleeve, then veers back into the sleeve (there is a dedicated tool for it).
Due to that open end, for the safety reason I describe, it's given a direction.
Putting it wrong won't cause drivetrain problems / skipping, but if the clip rubs something (clearance voided or whatever cause), the clip easily gives, allowing that disaster scenario, and in any case, good luck finding it back, and if not, walking time.
This one here could have a similar reason for a mounting direction.

I now searched for "quicklink orientation" and a first one was this, which looks like the one on the here shown picture:
https://brainybiker.com/archives/19329

FAQ: Why is the direction of the quick link so important?​

The direction of the quick link ensures that the connection is reinforced during normal pedaling. If the link is installed in the wrong direction, it can come undone, especially if it’s worn. When that happens the rider will lose the chain. The result could include an unpredictable accident.

... which confirms my thought, and denies your Nope.