Bike chain jumping on upstroke

One More Solo · 16 Mar 2010 at 17:22

On my road bike the chain has developed a habit of jumping when pulling hard on an upstroke (ooo-er), such as when pulling away from stationary. The upstroke seems to be increasing chain tension and making the derailleur misbehave. Tweaking the barrel adjuster for the indexing has helped but it still isn't perfect- what should I try next?

HypnoToad · 16 Mar 2010 at 17:25

How old if the chain? I often find old chains tend to skip when yo u really stamp on the pedals.

One More Solo · 16 Mar 2010 at 17:31

It's only a year old now, but it's used for commuting so has been exposed to the elements a bit.

Shmo · 16 Mar 2010 at 18:13

Check the chain path through the rear derailleur is in line with the gears on the cassette, sometimes if it has had a knock it can get bent at the dropout. Also check the rear wheel is evenly spaced within the chainstays.

[DOD]Asprilla · 16 Mar 2010 at 20:14

How many miles have you done. I count chains as consumables because they wear and stretch though this can be delayed by regular cleaning and lubrication.

A badly stretched chain will also wear you crank cog and casette teeth. You may find that a new chain behaves worse because you need a new casette as well.

I've just changed my chain after 3000 miles, but that was with weekly cleaning and lubrication.

One More Solo · 17 Mar 2010 at 09:57

I probably estimate about 1000 miles, but the bike has to be locked outside during the day while I'm at work which can't help. It is stored inside at home though.

I've tweaked the indexing and it's perfect so I presume it's down to the chain now, are they easy enough to change? One possibility might be a stiff link, or so I've read.

touch · 17 Mar 2010 at 11:51

Most likely just worn if you've done 1000 miles on it (especially if it's left outside).
Fitting a new chain is fairly easy. You'll need a chain tool tho (can get them quite cheap).
Use the tool to split the old chain and remove it.
Line it up with the new chain to get the right size.
Feed the new chain onto the gears.
Use the tool to put the pin in to join the new chain.
(It's even easier if you have snap links in your chain - then you can take it on and off without a chain tool)

tom_e · 17 Mar 2010 at 11:55

Dont get the cheapest of the cheap chain tools like I did, had a hell of a time popping a link out. In the end I had to stick one of those screwdrives with a changable tip over the end of the handle and twist which bent the tool out of shape but popped the pin in the end

I replaced it with a powerlink to save me future hastle

Wryel · 17 Mar 2010 at 12:59

How do the cassette/chainrings look? Shark teeth at all?

One More Solo · 17 Mar 2010 at 15:30

touch said:
Most likely just worn if you've done 1000 miles on it (especially if it's left outside).
Fitting a new chain is fairly easy. You'll need a chain tool tho (can get them quite cheap).
Use the tool to split the old chain and remove it.
Line it up with the new chain to get the right size.
Feed the new chain onto the gears.
Use the tool to put the pin in to join the new chain.
(It's even easier if you have snap links in your chain - then you can take it on and off without a chain tool)

Will one chain tool do all chains?

touch · 17 Mar 2010 at 19:08

Yep, should do.

One More Solo · 17 Mar 2010 at 21:53

touch said:
Yep, should do.

Thanks.