Chain slipping - cassette or middle ring?

101_North
101_North Posts: 607
edited January 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
Folks,

My chain is slipping. I've had this issue before whihc ended up being the cassette. I replaced it and all was fine. It's started again recently so I rushed out and bought a new cassette. I've not fitted it yet but noticed this morning that the chain only seems to slip when on the middle ring at the front. Suggests to me it might be the middle ring rather than the cassette.

Does this sound right?

Cheers

101

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    yes.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • 101_North
    101_North Posts: 607
    Cheers. Thought it probably would be. I'll have another wee run tonight just to make sure it's only on the front middle ring before ordering anything.

    101
  • cavegiant
    cavegiant Posts: 1,546
    I burn through more middle rings than cassettes, well I did before I went to steel.
    Why would I care about 150g of bike weight, I just ate 400g of cookies while reading this?
  • 101_North
    101_North Posts: 607
    What's a decent replacement? Was thinking Deore as it's cheap although can get XT for around £20. The chainset is SLX but the SLX ring is pushing £26-30. Also see an FSA ring for about £17.

    Cheers

    101
  • cavegiant
    cavegiant Posts: 1,546
    I have used most middle rings out there from cheap crappy ones to fancy ceramic coated ones.

    Best I have found and the steel deore (the also make an alloy deore, so make sure you get the right one).
    They never wear out, and as thinner than alloy they shift better and have less chain suck.

    The weight of a middle ring is pretty negligible, so unless you are an XC racer the pros out weigh the cons. Also very cheap.

    You can also get SLX in steel, but you are paying more for the same thing (I was still tempted by the SLX as a snob factor, but decided £10 extra for a name isn't worth it.)
    Why would I care about 150g of bike weight, I just ate 400g of cookies while reading this?
  • cavegiant
    cavegiant Posts: 1,546
    If anyone knows of some good steel rings that are not Deore or SLX, please tell me =-)
    Why would I care about 150g of bike weight, I just ate 400g of cookies while reading this?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Have you replaced the chain recently?

    If so, probably cassette worn if the old chain was heavily worn.

    If not, have you measured the chain wear? If it's heavily worn, then replace the cassette and check condition of chainrings.

    I find it takes a long time to wear chainrings, but then I use steel ones (yep, Deore). If you've got softer ones then probably need replacing also.

    Oh, and check the jockey wheels too. If they are pointy and sharp, replace them.
  • 101_North
    101_North Posts: 607
    deadkenny wrote:
    Have you replaced the chain recently?

    If so, probably cassette worn if the old chain was heavily worn.

    If not, have you measured the chain wear? If it's heavily worn, then replace the cassette and check condition of chainrings.

    I find it takes a long time to wear chainrings, but then I use steel ones (yep, Deore). If you've got softer ones then probably need replacing also.

    Oh, and check the jockey wheels too. If they are pointy and sharp, replace them.

    Not checked the chain for a while but it's not that old. It was replaced along with the cassette so. I'll check chain wear tonight. I'll probably end up replacing all 3! Got a chain and cassette sitting at home anyway so not a big deal.

    Cheers

    101

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