Focus Cayo - Chain Problem

limitandbeyond
limitandbeyond Posts: 11
edited August 2007 in Workshop
I have recently received my new Focus Cayo and I have been delighted with everything except the annoying skipping and jumping of gears on the sprockets. I put this down to a not quite perfect set up of the rear derailer and I have been gently tweeking the cable adjuster to try to make it run perfectly. The bike has now done 200 miles and when I was cleaning it yesterday I noticed that the black joining rivet does not go all the way through the link, the other side of the chain plate is not connected.
My questions are:

Could this be the result of poor build at Focus or Wiggle, or could I have caused this during my 200 miles.

Would this be the explanation for the jumping and noise at the sprockets.

Will it be ok to fit a new chain to the sprocket after only 200 miles or will the sprocket already be starting to wear to the existing chain.

Should I expect Wiggle to replace the chain (I have written to them but it is now bank holiday and I am hoping to take part in the Cumberland Challenge next weekend)

Finally, would I notice much improvement if I bit the bullet and just bought myself a new KMC X10SL chain. I am not interested in the appearance but like the sound of silence that you get with well engineered running gear.

I appreciate any advice.

Thank you

Steve H[/color]
Steve

Comments

  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    I think you should get it sorted asap before it breaks miles from home or worse you get injured.
    Don't worry about sprocket wear, it will not be a problem at 200 miles. I would buy a SRAM Powerlink. Buy or borrow a chain splitter, remove the offending pin and one link, fit the Powerlink, problem solved. It also makes chain removal and cleaning easy in the future.
    It will take too long to get it sorted by Wiggle so do it yourself.
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    Do you own a chain tool? If so, can you not just use it to correctly fit the troublesome link (which, btw, is almost certainly the cause of your jumping chain)?

    If you don't have one then this one is superb.
  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    Why not pop in to the dealer you got it from and have them fix it.

    Oh that's right you bought it on line

    Perfect place for customer service and having your free service(s) done.
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    this may be the time to strike up a good relationship with a good LBS.....but its more than likely to be that dodgy link

    btw you re not supposed to put a powerlink on any old chain, it has to be a specific model, what with the rodie SRAM chain needing a special link anyway
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Powerlink - matched chain? Thats what SRAM say but provided its for the same width chain, then I'm 99.9% certain it will be OK. That said, for 10 speed, SRAM says their links aren't reuseable, so go for one that is such as the KMC or Connex.Get yourself a chaintool anyway, you'll need to use it sooner or later.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • limitandbeyond
    limitandbeyond Posts: 11
    Thank you very much for the advice guys. Especially Down The Road, very constructive!
    I have fettled the chain this afternoon and the bike is running as smooth and silently as it was designed to.

    Thanks again, I appreciate your experience.

    Steve H
    Steve
  • fluff.
    fluff. Posts: 771
    Down the Road wrote:
    Why not pop in to the dealer you got it from and have them fix it.

    Oh that's right you bought it on line

    Perfect place for customer service and having your free service(s) done.

    LBS for a stiff link is going a bit OTT.

    The OP maybe needs to get a copy of the park big blue book or similar and save himself a fortune in the long run.

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