A problem developed recently with my fairly new cassette/chain. Both are 6 months old, and I've ridden about 1,500 miles/2400 km with them. While I'm pedaling, it will suddenly feel like the chain is slipping. Upon investigation, however, the chain is securely attached to the cassette cogs, chainring, & derailleur cogs. The chain is NOT slipping. Basically, the wheel will briefly NOT be propelled forward by the cassette as the chain pulls on the cassette cog. It happens with each cassette cog and every gear I have tried. If there is resistance, such as while pedaling up a hill, there seems to be no slippage. It tends to happen on mostly flat roads. I can induce it by stopping my pedaling momentarily. The next pedaling stroke will usually have slippage before my pedaling causes the rear wheel to propel the bike forward. But it most commonly happens suddenly as I'm simply pedaling normally on a flat road.
Does anyone have an idea what is causing the problem, and if it can be fixed?
You have freewheel problems, specifically the ratchet/pawls are somehow not engaging. Some are spring loaded, others are driven.
You didn't mention what brand of freehub you have but I would guess its a sprung pawl type. Dirt or hardened grease will do this. It needs to be disassembled and relubed. You might need a bearing and pawl spring swap too.
Does anyone have an idea what is causing the problem, and if it can be fixed?
It sounds like the grease in the freehub has congealed and is causing the pawls to stick. Try dripping a little low-viscosity lubricant into the works. Disassembling the freehub is not a procedure that should be attempted blindly, and many (if not most) can be lubed without dismantling. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Surrealism is a pectinated ranzel.
I figured out what was causing the problem (sort of), and was able to easily fix it. It was neither the cassette, nor the chain, nor the chainwheel, nor the rear derailleur. The bike happens to have an internal rear hub shifter which is an equivalent of a triple chainring up front. There is a cable and miniature chain which controls it via a derailleur-type lever on the handlebars. Either the miniature chain slipped a notch, or the cable stretched. It was causing something funky to sporadically happen to the hub shifter, even though I was having no problem shifting it. I noticed the cable flickering strangely as I pedaled. By pushing the miniature chain in a notch (i.e. tightening the cable), the problem immediately disappeared. Thanks for your responses.
I figured out what was causing the problem (sort of), and was able to easily fix it. It was neither the cassette, nor the chain, nor the chainwheel, nor the rear derailleur. The bike happens to have an internal rear hub shifter which is an equivalent of a triple chainring up front. There is a cable and miniature chain which controls it via a derailleur-type lever on the handlebars. Either the miniature chain slipped a notch, or the cable stretched. It was causing something funky to sporadically happen to the hub shifter, even though I was having no problem shifting it. I noticed the cable flickering strangely as I pedaled. By pushing the miniature chain in a notch (i.e. tightening the cable), the problem immediately disappeared. Thanks for your responses.
eric-<< While I'm pedaling, it will suddenly feel like the chain is slipping.
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<< Basically, the wheel will briefly NOT be propelled forward by the cassette as the chain pulls on the cassette cog. >><BR><BR>
Sounds like the pawl system in your rear hub is broken or sticky. Depends on the make on whether it can be repaired or needs replacement. If shimano, and two pawl ststem, with one 'damaged' breaking the other can really hurt-be careful.
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I figured out what was causing the problem (sort of), and was able to easily fix it. It was neither the cassette, nor the chain, nor the chainwheel, nor the rear derailleur. The bike happens to have an internal rear hub shifter which is an equivalent of a triple chainring up front. There is a cable and miniature chain which controls it via a derailleur-type lever on the handlebars. Either the miniature chain slipped a notch, or the cable stretched. It was causing something funky to sporadically happen to the hub shifter, even though I was having no problem shifting it. I noticed the cable flickering strangely as I pedaled. By pushing the miniature chain in a notch (i.e. tightening the cable), the problem immediately disappeared. Thanks for your responses.
This part is known as the "indicator chain".
I suggest carrying a spare, since if it breaks you will be stuck in high range (1.36:1 overdrive). I had this happen on a SRAM Spectro 3x7 hub.
There is a “false neutral” that can accidentally be engaged in the SRAM/Sachs 3x7 hub (and presumably the 3-speed Sachs Torpedo hub on which it is based). I am not aware if this occurs with the SRAM 3x7/8/9 DualDrive hub that has different internals.