Derailleur Question

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by rwest

Steve,

What about getting a cheap clamp n front derailleur that just stays in place so the chain can’t fall off either side? You might have to get creative on getting it locked down in the right spot- they have limit screws which might have enough range.

That's one way to fix it

$14 bucks amazon

[look 171]

Get the chain guard, it should do the trick. Personally, I would remove one link (or two as some call it here) off the chain based on your latest pic. Longer chain shifts smoother but its sloppy and bangs up the chain stay over rough roads.

How wide are those tires? 1.5"?

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by rwest

Here you go Steve, keep those fingers clean by waxing your chain instead!

Waxing Bicycle Chains

I’m a couple years into doing it and I love it, I can run my hands over my chain and my hand stays clean. Bike doesn’t get covered in oily film and I never have to use degreaser on my bike.

That does look like the way to go.
I remember that thread...I posted a pic of my belt bike.

[stevej37]

Just back from an 18 mile ride....no problems with the chain. I didn't go down the gravel road with the chatter bumps because after this mornings rain my bike would be brown.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by look 171

Get the chain guard, it should do the trick. Personally, I would remove one link (or two as some call it here) off the chain based on your latest pic. Longer chain shifts smoother but its sloppy and bangs up the chain stay over rough roads.

How wide are those tires? 1.5"?

I'll look into that chain guard.

Hard to read on the sidewall but 1 5/8 X 1 3/8
Does that sound correct?

[stevej37]

It says for Mountain Bike...but I think the MTB'ers might need one more than others.
Looks like it should fit, so I'm going to try it.

I'm not ordering it until next week...leaving for Florida tomorrow for a week and don't like packages left on the entryway for days.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I'll look into that chain guard.

Hard to read on the sidewall but 1 5/8 X 1 3/8
Does that sound correct?

Have you been running the tires at 60 psi and have dropped down to 50 now?

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by look 171

Have you been running the tires at 60 psi and have dropped down to 50 now?

Yes, I set them to 50 this morning. I'm almost certain I had them set at 60 before, but they might have leaked a little in those months because they were close to 50 or below this morning.

.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by stevej37

It says for Mountain Bike...but I think the MTB'ers might need one more than others.
Looks like it should fit, so I'm going to try it.

I'm not ordering it until next week...leaving for Florida tomorrow for a week and don't like packages left on the entryway for days.

Make sure you have the correct diameter seat tube! I've bought the wrong derailleur clamp before.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Make sure you have the correct diameter seat tube! I've bought the wrong derailleur clamp before.

I just checked mine and with a ruler looks to be about 34 mm...which should work.
If it doesn't.....Amazon is great with returns.

Thanks

.

[Zeke]

I didn't read through the whole thing but the derailleur is bent inward. That shouldn't bring about the chain jumping unless you back peddled. I've had that bent condition and shifts seemed better when it was perfectly aligned.

Could be photo error, but IDTS.

I don't like 8-speed clusters because of the chain angles needed.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

If it's too large, and adapters arent included in the package- amazon has "front derailleur spacer adapters" easy peasy for like $8

[stevej37]

^^^ I still have some shims that were included with my Garmin Varia that I didn't need.
They should work...if I need some.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I didn't read through the whole thing but the derailleur is bent inward. That shouldn't bring about the chain jumping unless you back peddled. I've had that bent condition and shifts seemed better when it was perfectly aligned.

Could be photo error, but IDTS.

I don't like 8-speed clusters because of the chain angles needed.

I've never dumped it yet...so if it's bent, it came that way.
The total price for the bike was $1050...so it's not a 'top of the line' bike. But I do like the ride of the bike. I changed the saddle to a Cloud-9 and with the hyd seat post and Ergo grips it fits me and my back real well...

.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Just started raining here...I managed to get it into 8 by holding the rear end up, shifting with another hand and turning the crank all at the same time.

The pic shows the bright screw that the pivot rests on. (I'm tempted to back it out a quarter turn to allow the pivot to rest further back.?)

Look at it closely in person. The black pieces are not lined up. Photo error or not, it sure looks like the chain is slightly angled left at the bottom idler wheel. Again, I can't say that is the cause of the problem. That many miles has to have had an effect. But I have straightened a few derailleurs in my time that were bent in for one reason or another.

They are very sensitive, that's all I know.

Also the chain looks dry and rusty. It might be that the chain doesn't react properly whatever that means.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Look at it closely in person. The black pieces are not lined up. Photo error or not, it sure looks like the chain is slightly angled left at the bottom idler wheel. Again, I can't say that is the cause of the problem. That many miles has to have had an effect. But I have straightened a few derailleurs in my time that were bent in for one reason or another.

They are very sensitive, that's all I know.
Also the chain looks dry and rusty. It might be that the chain doesn't react properly whatever that means.

Here's the same view after I cleaned and lubed it this morning....

[look 171]

For a more comfortable ride, I would do 47-48 lbs. A few lbs makes a difference in comfort. But not too much lower then that. If you are heavy and rough with the bike, stay at 50. If just riding around the typical trails, you will be fine. I bet if you remove one chain link, the issue will go away of course, the chain guard helps.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by look 171

For a more comfortable ride, I would do 47-48 lbs. A few lbs makes a difference in comfort. But not too much lower then that. If you are heavy and rough with the bike, stay at 50. If just riding around the typical trails, you will be fine. I bet if you remove one chain link, the issue will go away of course, the chain guard helps.

The tires say 50-75 but a few lbs less can't hurt.
Yeah, I'm going to try the guard first....I don't really want to mess with shortening the chain yet. Unless I have to.

I weigh 145 right now...lost almost 10 since spring. Happens every year to me.
It'll come back....Fall comes along with a bigger appetite.

.

[Scott Douglas]

Steve, you might take a look at this video, towards the end he covers derailleur adjustments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG3D5fmMyS8

[look 171]

Originally Posted by stevej37

The tires say 50-75 but a few lbs less can't hurt.
Yeah, I'm going to try the guard first....I don't really want to mess with shortening the chain yet. Unless I have to.

I weigh 145 right now...lost almost 10 since spring. Happens every year to me.
It'll come back....Fall comes along with a bigger appetite.

.

145??? Damn, you must be a stick? That was my racing weight, between 140-145 for a long time. Now, I am 160 ish, so I have another 10 to go Ate better and smaller portions and 10 lbs just went without trying in a little a month. Weight is a big killer in bike the bike and overall health. Keep up the good work. Sounds like you really enjoy riding and being out.