Gear to keep my chain on while landing hard

Are you sure your derailleur's not sticking a little bit? I am referring to the spring which tensions the chain. It sounds like your chain tension might be a bit weak.

garage sale GT said:

Are you sure your derailleur's not sticking a little bit? I am referring to the spring which tensions the chain. It sounds like your chain tension might be a bit weak.

You know, I am not sure. Is there a way to test the tension? And if it is too low, does that mean I should get a new rear derailleur? Do you ever experience this problem with your bike?

It's actually kind of an assumption. The only test I would know would be to compare it to another bike. I would only suspect it if your derailleur was grungy or old or if maybe salt got into it and the spring rusted through.

Just find another derailleur bike and see how much chain tension there is.

to test your chain tension, big chainring, lowest rear gear - should be almost no play in it at all (from what i'm told)...

Archibald said:

to test your chain tension, big chainring, lowest rear gear - should be almost no play in it at all (from what i'm told)...

this is true -- big ring front, biggest cog rear (granny gear), should just about tie up the derailleur, pulley cage almost all the way forward. if it doesn't, have someone w/ experience check your chain length.

landing technique has a bit to do with it, too, which is why i don't do it! check the guys who fly regularly -- Schley, Wade, Bearclaw, Watson -- they all run CHAINGUIDES, which keep 98% of chaindrop from happening. but i don't know of any chainguides hat work w/ 3-ring cranks.