New S/S chain slipping - why?

passout
passout Posts: 4,425
edited February 2009 in Workshop
Evening.

The chain on my new single speed seems to be slipping. Why do you think this is? More info. below....

I recently bought a 2008 Specialised Tricross / Singlecross bike. I fitted a 16t freewheel (see http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/category/499/FREEWHEELS) to replace the 18t one which was a bit low. I got the bike cheap over the net and a mate set it up for me - he loves all that. He put in extra links on the chain - I thought that it then looked too loose and removed them later on. The chain looks fine - no obvious stiff links. Everything 'seems' OK when you look at the bike.

Anyway, under pressure (when really putting the power down) the bike jumps and it sounds & feels very much like the chain is slipping. Not every time though - about one time in 20 or so. This is my first singel speed. I 'm not sure why the chain would slip - is it the chain or freewheel do you think? Any ideas welcomed. Thanks.
'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.

Comments

  • Chaz.Harding
    Chaz.Harding Posts: 3,144
    Hmmm... You absolutely sure your chain is tensioned enough? 8) Classic symptoms of having a chain thats too loose. If it is tight enough, check your chainline - look down the chain at chain level, going from the sprocket to the chainring, and see if it deflects any (it shouldn't any - hopefully perfectly straight.

    Otherwise, im out, unless your sprocket / freewheel gear is worn, but I highly doubt it, as you say it's new...

    Otherwise, I'm out :?
    Boo-yah mofo
    Sick to the power of rad
    Fix it 'till it's broke
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    The chain would have to be in terrible condition and very loose to slip. Much more likely a faulty freewheel.
    My Fleet.
  • Chaz.Harding
    Chaz.Harding Posts: 3,144
    Not as slack as you might think... I've suffered this fate before.
    Boo-yah mofo
    Sick to the power of rad
    Fix it 'till it's broke
  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    Check chain tension first (1/2" deflection mid way along top run). But I doubt that sloppy chain (even if significant variation tightest to slackest - next to NO front/rear combinatios give a precisely consistent tension throughout) would cause this sort of slippage.

    Sounds to me like the freewheel. Have you tried it in fixed mode?
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."

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