Gear problem

wizzywig27

Hi all

Wondering if someone could advise what may be wrong with my rear gears, when I push he bike backwards the chain goes from 4th one down to the bottom one, but only when going backwards, when I pedal it goes back into the gear it should be in. The gear is a SRAM X5

Is this something I should be worried about?

Thanks

cooldad

No - think about it, the mech leads the chain from the bottom - there's nothing guiding the top so it just aims for the natural chain line.

wizzywig27

Makes sense, just the missus' bike don't do it..

The Rookie

Older bikes with less gears and stiffer (upto 8 speed) chains are less prone to it, also a less worn chain won't do it as much as one with one that has developed a bit of play.

wizzywig27

Ok, both bikes are brand new, one is 27 speed and one is 24, both bikes have been ridden once (it's the 27 speed that is doing it)

Chunkers1980

Doesn't sound like you'll be doing many tricks, so just perhaps pick the back wheel up when pushing it backwards? It may stop once it's worn in a little.

wizzywig27

So is this a common problem, like I say it's odd that one is doing and one is not

nicklouse

wizzywig27 wrote:

So is this a common problem, like I say it's odd that one is doing and one is not

There is nothing wrong with either bikes.

It just happens. Some do some don't. Some do and then they stop. Some don't do it but then when a new chain is fitted they do.

Just go ride them.

The Rookie

wizzywig27 wrote:

Ok, both bikes are brand new, one is 27 speed and one is 24, both bikes have been ridden once (it's the 27 speed that is doing it)

9 speed chains are thinner and less stiff than 8 speed ones as I said.

You don't have a problem, it's a 'characteristic' and perfectly normal.

Mindermast

It is fairly normal that the chain goes down one step, but to the bottom, onto the smallest gear? You got 9 gears, so the 4th is almost in the center, supposedly close to the optimal chain line. Even a badly adjusted rear derailleur shouldn't cause that. A slightly misadjusted one might cause the chain to drop by one gear. How is shifting on that bike?

Check, if the rear wheel isn't tilted. That is the only idea I have.

The Rookie

Ignore MM he's being a dufus (as with most his posts) as the rear mech has no effect at all as it's after the cassette.