Chain Rubbing on rear ....

FunkMaster007

Hey Guys,

SO the wife and I went out riding yesterday and I noticed something strange going on.

When going down into the lower gears (small ring on front, small ring on back), the chain seems to be rubbing against itself on the cogs of the rear derailer .... is this normal?

So I took the pictures below, during the cleaning (and yes, the pictures show some dirt, but I was mid clean) ....

I eventually took the entire chain off and followed some instructions to measure the length of the chain just out of curiosity (http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=26 - section called "Chain Sizing - Largest Cog and Largest Chainring Method") and it was fine .. so not sure!



Notice how the chain is rubbing against itself .... surely not normal ... is it?

an_original_name

thats not really a gear combination you should be in. generaly speaking if your in the small ring at the front, you should only ever be in the larger cogs at the back, and likewise if your in the big ring at the front you should only ever be in the smaller cogs at the back.

FunkMaster007

Yeah, that's usually the combination I am in and will communicate this to the wife .... but is this still normal?

redvee

The chain needs a few links taking out but not too many.

FunkMaster007

redvee wrote:

The chain needs a few links taking out but not too many.

Wouldn't this cause a scenario that you wouldn't be able to get into the (large ring in the front / large ring at the back) - although ... never ever gone into that combination nor do I see a reason that you'd want to.

Thinking of getting another spare chain, then taking your advise, dropping off 2 links and see how it goes, if I FUBAR it all, then I got a spare chain to stick on there!

redvee

Take 2 links out to start with and see how it goes.

cooldad

You should never be in either of the extreme combinations. If you've measured the chain and it's the right length, leave it and don't use big/big or small/small. If the chain is too short, you can cause damage to the mech as well, and if the chain snaps at the wrong time (don't the always), you can wreck the mech, wheel, or your nuts when you hit the crossbar (unlikely to happen to your wife I suppose).

See http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12647117