What idiot did this?

[Aescott]

I needed to replace the chain and cassette on my mountain bike. Quite pleased with myself that I managed and the ride improved quite a bit, with gears not skipping and so on.

A few months later and the gears are skipping all over the place. It can't be chain or cassette wear, as I haven't done much cycling since swapping over. So off to the LBS.

Despite being really busy and it being a Sunday afternoon, about 40 minutes before they closed (I was expecting to drop the bike off and leave it), they took a look. My work was perfect. Except that the rear axle was very loose as I hadn't tightened it properly. And I'd put the Shimano chain on back to front. And I hadn't threaded the chain through the jockey wheels correctly. Other than that, great job. All fixed for £15. And a red face.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

And I'd put the Shimano chain on back to front.

Do bike chains have a right way round to fit them?
I have fitted chains to my bikes, like for like, the sides look identical to me.
Probably my luck, because I've not had problems with those chains.

 

[Webbo2]

Do bike chains have a right way round to fit them?
I have fitted chains to my bikes, like for like, the sides look identical to me.
Probably my luck, because I've not had problems with those chains.

Yes Shimano chains are directional.

I needed to replace the chain and cassette on my mountain bike. Quite pleased with myself that I managed and the ride improved quite a bit, with gears not skipping and so on.

A few months later and the gears are skipping all over the place. It can't be chain or cassette wear, as I haven't done much cycling since swapping over. So off to the LBS.

Despite being really busy and it being a Sunday afternoon, about 40 minutes before they closed (I was expecting to drop the bike off and leave it), they took a look. My work was perfect. Except that the rear axle was very loose as I hadn't tightened it properly. And I'd put the Shimano chain on back to front. And I hadn't threaded the chain through the jockey wheels correctly. Other than that, great job. All fixed for £15. And a red face.

Threading the chain the wrong way through the jockey wheels. What sort of idiot would do that.🫣

 

[SolemnWeasel]

Good boys

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Yes Shimano chains are directional.

I see, thank you for the info: I've always bought KMC, I think it's the cheapest option, or it was at the time

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I needed to replace the chain and cassette on my mountain bike. Quite pleased with myself that I managed and the ride improved quite a bit, with gears not skipping and so on.

A few months later and the gears are skipping all over the place. It can't be chain or cassette wear, as I haven't done much cycling since swapping over. So off to the LBS.

Despite being really busy and it being a Sunday afternoon, about 40 minutes before they closed (I was expecting to drop the bike off and leave it), they took a look. My work was perfect. Except that the rear axle was very loose as I hadn't tightened it properly. And I'd put the Shimano chain on back to front. And I hadn't threaded the chain through the jockey wheels correctly. Other than that, great job. All fixed for £15. And a red face.

My LBS told me to stop tinkering with my bikes and just let them deal with the maintenance, as it turns out cheaper for me not to cock it up for them.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

You get to know a good LBS and the costs tend to come down a bit

mine often just fits simple things free is you are buying the bits anyway
They reckon it is worth the 5 minutes it takes them to so something simple using the right tools
than to fix the problems when you cock it up and blame the things they bought

and it encourages people to come back and buy more stuff

 

[Reynard]

It's why I always take photos of things before I dismantle them if I haven't got a hardcopy manual. I do need to re-cable the hardtail I bought second hand last week, as the previous owner has cut the cables for the rear brake and rear derailleur just as they exit the tensioning nuts. Which means there's *no* adjustment for either.

However, I *have* put a chainsaw chain on the wrong way round, and then wonder why I can't cut anything!