Why does my chain "lock up"

On Tue, 05 Aug 2003 01:26:41 -0700, Dave Dixson did issue forth:

Quoted message said:

I am having a problem with my new Felt FS800 mountain bike (Deore chanset)
- every 10 miles or so, when changing gear with my front derailer, when chain seems to get caught
up somewhere. When it happens, I am able to peddle maybe half a revolution forward and then the
chain locks completly.

I then have to peddle back, change gear and try again. This doesnt always fix it right away though
- sometimes I have to change gears a couple of times.

I have heard of something called chain suck, but I thought it only happened after the small ring
had become worn - this is a brand new bike.

It does indeed sound like chainsuck to me. Have a look at this:

mtbbritain.co.ukchain suck.htmlOpen ↗

Huw "Everything sucks" Pritchard

"Dave Dixson" <[email hidden]> skrev i en meddelelse
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am having a problem with my new Felt FS800 mountain bike (Deore chanset) - every 10 miles or so,
when changing gear with my front derailer, when chain seems to get caught up somewhere. When it
happens, I am able to peddle maybe half a revolution forward and then the chain locks completly.

I then have to peddle back, change gear and try again. This doesnt always fix it right away though
- sometimes I have to change gears a couple of times.

I have heard of something called chain suck, but I thought it only happened after the small ring
had become worn - this is a brand new bike.

If it is just a matter of adjusting the gears around I would prefer to do it my self rather than
return it, as the bike shop is quite a long way away.

Sounds like chainsuck. Its often because of worn rings or "sucky" rings. My XT crankset had the same
problem, almost from the beginning. It helped a bit when i changed the middle ring with a TA
specialities, but it didnt solve the problem completely.

Now i throw the XT crankset away and got myself a FSA Afterburner instead, problem solved (almost).
Its difficult to avoid completely. The problem may happen in really muddy conditions to, muddy,
dirty chain. Rough and bumpy terrain and so on. But, it shouldnt happen as often as you are writing.

Solution: New chainrings :-( Clean rings and chain or look at Huws link :-)

Peter DK

Huw Pritchard said:

Quoted message said:

I have heard of something called chain suck, but I thought it only happened after the small ring
had become worn - this is a brand new bike.

It does indeed sound like chainsuck to me. Have a look at this:

mtbbritain.co.ukchain suck.htmlOpen ↗

Or this: fagan.co.zaCsuckOpen ↗

Unless your chain is dirty and worn, it's likely a design problem. I'd be tempted to return the bike
and get them to replace the chainset.

BTW, you 'pedal' a bike. /Pet grievance

--
a.m-b FAQ: t-online.deambfaq.htmOpen ↗

b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htmOpen ↗

I got the same problem for the first time on my new bike.

Turned out to be as simple as an incrrectly lubricated chain. As yours is a new bike i suggest the
same thing as i did to try and correct the prolbem - give the chain a proper degrease and grease

cheers Mark

Thanks for the info - sounds likne I am getting some form of 2-ring suck, as it is always after I
change gear.

I read that it can happen if you change gear under load - I do probably change gear whilst the chain
is under load (ie - I am powering the bike), but not whilst going up hill - is this OK. It was fine
to do this on mu old MTB.

Dave.

"Dave Dixson" <[email hidden]> skrev i en meddelelse
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the info - sounds likne I am getting some form of 2-ring suck, as it is always after I
change gear.

I read that it can happen if you change gear under load - I do probably change gear whilst the
chain is under load (ie - I am powering the bike), but not whilst going up hill - is this OK. It
was fine to do this on mu old MTB.

Off course its fine. But, it puts stress on the drivetrain, and if its worn, dirty, sucky, it will
make problems like chain suck. A MTB is build for that sort of riding :-)

Peet DK

"Dave Dixson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am having a problem with my new Felt FS800 mountain bike (Deore chanset) - every 10 miles or so,
when changing gear with my front derailer, when chain seems to get caught up somewhere. When it
happens, I am able to peddle maybe half a revolution forward and then the chain locks completly.

I then have to peddle back, change gear and try again. This doesnt always fix it right away though
- sometimes I have to change gears a couple of times.

I have heard of something called chain suck, but I thought it only happened after the small ring
had become worn - this is a brand new bike.

If it is just a matter of adjusting the gears around I would prefer to do it my self rather than
return it, as the bike shop is quite a long way away.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Aside from chain suck, it sounds like your front derailleur cage may be pinching the chain as it
moves from ring to ring. Are you "cross chaining"? (Say you're in small ring, and shift down the
cluster in back, and then try to go to middle ring, the angle will often cause chain to catch
against the larger chainring.) If so, stop doing that! And if not, then maybe the front der. just
needs a small adjustment or slight reposition.

If the problem persists, get thee to a bikery for assistance!

Shakes Bill

[email hidden] (Dave Dixson) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am having a problem with my new Felt FS800 mountain bike (Deore chanset)

[censored] chains suck.

JD

Sounds to me like you have a twisted chain from shifting under load, happened to me a new chain is
the solution IMHO.

Dave 'top posting for life'

"Dave Dixson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am having a problem with my new Felt FS800 mountain bike (Deore chanset) - every 10 miles or so,
when changing gear with my front derailer, when chain seems to get caught up somewhere. When it
happens, I am able to peddle maybe half a revolution forward and then the chain locks completly.

I then have to peddle back, change gear and try again. This doesnt always fix it right away though
- sometimes I have to change gears a couple of times.

I have heard of something called chain suck, but I thought it only happened after the small ring
had become worn - this is a brand new bike.

If it is just a matter of adjusting the gears around I would prefer to do it my self rather than
return it, as the bike shop is quite a long way away.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Dave.

On 5 Aug 2003 01:26:41 -0700, [email hidden] (Dave Dixson) wrote:

[snip [censored] that would never happen on a SS]

CAUSE IT AIN"T A SS!

If you want to stop chain suck or other multi geared hassles then the answer is simple. Stop using
multi-geared bikes. There's no magic to
it. A baby can figure this out.

Now throw that POS the fvck out. Stop posting dumb ass question like "Why does my chain "lock up"?
Open your friggin eyes, drop the hype machines and go SS.

Simple is as simples does.

Peace, Bill

The mind serves properly as a window glass rather than as a reflector, that is, the mind should give
an immediate view instead of an interpretation of the world.
:-]

On Tue, 05 Aug 2003 11:37:08 +0200, bomba did issue forth:

Quoted message said:

BTW, you 'pedal' a bike.

I know people who'd disagree with you on that. Mind you, they sell bikes for a living. ;-)

Huw "Emergency Rimmer substitute" Pritchard

Bill Wheeler said:

On 5 Aug 2003 01:26:41 -0700, [email hidden] (Dave Dixson) wrote:

[snip [censored] that would never happen on a SS]

CAUSE IT AIN"T A SS!

If you want to stop chain suck or other multi geared hassles then the answer is simple. Stop using
multi-geared bikes. There's no magic to
it. A baby can figure this out.

Now throw that POS the fvck out. Stop posting dumb ass question like "Why does my chain "lock up"?
Open your friggin eyes, drop the hype machines and go SS.

Simple is as simples does.

Peace, Bill

The mind serves properly as a window glass rather than as a reflector, that is, the mind should
give an immediate view instead of an interpretation of the world.
:-]

I see what you mean there Bill. wanting to stir the pot a little huh?

Hey everyone, Bill the Wheeler is back, with all the SS hype and all....

Dave (welcome back Billy boy!)

Bill - thanks for the advice, but I think I can beat even your SS for chain-sucking resistance.
Surly the BEST way to geid rid of chain suck is to elimnate the chain altogether.

I am planning to discard my chain-sucking bike and get an off-road penny-farthing instead. Could be
a bit hairy on the downhills, although full sus would probobably be fairly easy to implement.

Dave.