Front derallieur chain slap

delude
delude Posts: 110
edited May 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
My lizard skin chainstay protector arrived today and fits and works perfectly, however I noticed that the chain also slaps against the bottom and left side (towards the frame, as my bike has a 3 chainring set and I ride on the 32 in the middle).

Is there anything I can do? Would putting some electrical (the nice thick-ish black stuff) on do the trick?

Thanks :)

Comments

  • Bobhellen
    Bobhellen Posts: 154
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... goryID=987

    have a look hear and see if there is any thing to suit your needs if not then yes the tape would work but would need replacing regualy if not change to a 2 ring set up and lose some of the chain
    "we're a forum of pointless upgraders, depreciation maximisers, and diminishing returns addicts"
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    Well I struggled to put some tape on, but I don;t think it's going to do much.

    I would have thought that the derallieur would have some sort of rubber coating on the inside to prevent the chain from slapping against it all angles, especially when used with a jump bike.

    Is there some sort of insert? It's so hard to stick anything in there really, and I haven't seen anything made specifically for it, unless you buy a derallieur that doesn't have exposed metal on the inside.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The mech needs to be hard wearing steel to perform. One of its jobs is to keep the chain on - so that is what you are hearing.

    Though you can get chain guides.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    supersonic wrote:
    The mech needs to be hard wearing steel to perform. One of its jobs is to keep the chain on - so that is what you are hearing.

    Though you can get chain guides.

    Oh? Are they compatible with most mechs? I would prefer the chain to not slap against it really, but the problem is that is hits the side too.

    Is there anything you would recommend? (I don't want to spend too much)
  • robv1306
    robv1306 Posts: 76
    id reccommend setting your front derailleur up properly. from what ive read, its simply that you have too much cable tension in it, therefore its been pulled too far outwards when on the middle ring, so is catching the chain. all you need to do is wind the barrel adjuster on the shifter in an anticlockwise direction, as this will losen the cable slightly (you will probably only need 3 turns max) and stop it rubbing. try that and then get back to us!
    2009 Specialized Pitch Custom

    Peaks Grit
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    robv1306 wrote:
    id reccommend setting your front derailleur up properly. from what ive read, its simply that you have too much cable tension in it, therefore its been pulled too far outwards when on the middle ring, so is catching the chain. all you need to do is wind the barrel adjuster on the shifter in an anticlockwise direction, as this will losen the cable slightly (you will probably only need 3 turns max) and stop it rubbing. try that and then get back to us!

    It seems to be okay when looking at it, but going over or down any sort of bump causes it to flap up and down, resulting in the bottom of the derallieur being slapped along with the left side. Or can this be fixed with what you said'?
  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    What sort of a gap do you have between the Cage outer and the big ring when the chains on the middle ring ? Cos it sounds like the mech may be mounted too high on the frame.
    Kinesis Maxlight XC

    Orange 5 AM Custom
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    Dirtydog11 wrote:
    What sort of a gap do you have between the Cage outer and the big ring when the chains on the middle ring ? Cos it sounds like the mech may be mounted too high on the frame.
    There's only about half an inch gap between the mech and the base of the frame, so I don't think it could go much lower. I'll have to check tomorrow morning, thanks for all the help :)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    i dont see that you have a problem.

    yes the chain moves, yes the chain can damage the paint.

    It is a MTB it happens.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    nicklouse wrote:
    i dont see that you have a problem.

    yes the chain moves, yes the chain can damage the paint.

    It is a MTB it happens.

    You may accept that fact, but I don't.
    It wont damage the paint, as the derallieur isn't painted.

    My problem is that I would prefer to buy a guide or whatever to make sure that the chain does not get damaged when violently slapping the side and bottom on the cage.

    Is it really a problem that I would prefer it not to get damaged?
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    It will not get damaged! Both parts are heat treated steel and very hardwearing. Over rough terrain the chain does bounce around in the cage - the cage keeps the chain on. Hepened to me for 14 years, no probs at all.

    You may be able to get a device that reduces flap that fits behind the BB and uses a roller to tension the chain. CRC does many options.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    supersonic wrote:
    It will not get damaged! Both parts are heat treated steel and very hardwearing. Over rough terrain the chain does bounce around in the cage - the cage keeps the chain on. Hepened to me for 14 years, no probs at all.

    You may be able to get a device that reduces flap that fits behind the BB and uses a roller to tension the chain. CRC does many options.

    To be honest it's the noise more than anything that gets me, I'd like it to sound nice and clean :)

    Oh well, I'll ride it for another few weeks and see what happens. Cheers
  • gbrnole
    gbrnole Posts: 395
    Im guessing you havent been riding that long? The chains not going to get damaged from hitting the sides of your front derailleur, if its a jump bike run a single ring up front and your problem solved!
    Ibis Mojo SL-r
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    alex.hulme wrote:
    Im guessing you havent been riding that long? The chains not going to get damaged from hitting the sides of your front derailleur, if its a jump bike run a single ring up front and your problem solved!
    Yeah, totally new.
    If I had a single on the front then are the 8 on the back still okay, angle wise? (With the gear say on 1 or 8 I was wondering if it would potentiall damage it)

    Thanks
  • Daz555
    Daz555 Posts: 3,976
    Its a big floppy chain of metal. It slaps about. That's just the way it is.

    As long as it is not mashing up paintwork, I wouldn't worry about it.
    You only need two tools: WD40 and Duck Tape.
    If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
    If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    Daz555 wrote:
    Its a big floppy chain of metal. It slaps about. That's just the way it is.

    As long as it is not mashing up paintwork, I wouldn't worry about it.

    I guess so, it sounds a lot worse when accompanied by a gear skipping, but I read somewhere that it takes a while for the gears to set in. If I am just messing around doing like a wheelie drop or a bunnyhop off something I hear the chain smack and then the gear seems to be skipping now and again too.
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    yup what they said ^^^

    Its totally normal for a chain to flap about a bit when going over rough ground or bumps. Both the chain and derailleur are designed with this in mind and will happily cope with it.

    Some people do run with chain guides with tensioning pulleys and the like, but this is usually to stop the chain from falling of the front chainrings. (really rough riding or big heavy landings can sometimes knock the chain off the cogs). So unless you have a reoccurring problem with the chain actually falling off the cogs, a chain guide is prob a bit of a overkill.

    Chill, relax and live with it. Just go out enjoy rinding the bike safe in the knowledge that chain and derailleur are fine with a bitta flap here and there. :D
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    sorry i got in a bit late with my 1st post.

    about the gears skipping. Check that the Mechs are set up correctly. you can find a guide on http://www.parktool.com New gears can go out of alignment as the gear cable stretches after a while and a quick retune of the gears should put it back to normal.

    Also if you are new to biking then maybe some of your landings aren't that smooth and this could be leading to a bit more shock than usual transferring to your bike causing the skipping. keep practicing and you'll become smoother and hopefully less chain skipping.
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    jairaj wrote:
    sorry i got in a bit late with my 1st post.

    about the gears skipping. Check that the Mechs are set up correctly. you can find a guide on http://www.parktool.com New gears can go out of alignment as the gear cable stretches after a while and a quick retune of the gears should put it back to normal.

    Also if you are new to biking then maybe some of your landings aren't that smooth and this could be leading to a bit more shock than usual transferring to your bike causing the skipping. keep practicing and you'll become smoother and hopefully less chain skipping.
    Thanks, I'll go and have a look at the gears now. I'm new to mountain bikes, but have been launching BMXs around in the street for a while :D
    Maybe I do just need to ride more.

    Thanks everyone

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