New Bike Chain Slipping – FIXED

Chain slipping, also known as chain skip, is a common issue that can occur with bicycles. It happens when the chain skips or jumps unexpectedly, often causing the rider to lose control of the bike momentarily.

Chain slipping is caused by a variety of factors, such as worn out or damaged chain, cassette, chainring or derailleur, insufficient tension in the chain, or a misaligned derailleur. It can also occur if the rider is applying too much or too little pressure on the pedals, especially when shifting gears.

Chain slipping can be dangerous and lead to accidents, especially when riding at high speeds or on steep terrain. Regular bike maintenance, including cleaning and lubricating the chain, inspecting and replacing worn-out components, and properly adjusting the derailleur, can help prevent chain slipping and ensure a safe and enjoyable riding experience.

Reasons Why Your Bike Chain Might Be Slipping + Fixes

There are several reasons why your bike chain might be slipping. Here are some of the common causes and possible fixes:

1. Worn out or stretched chain: Over time, bike chains can stretch or wear out, causing them to slip. If your chain is worn out or stretched, it’s time to replace it.
2. Worn out cassette or chainring: The cassette and chainring can also wear out over time, leading to chain slipping. Inspect the teeth for wear and replace the worn-out components as needed.
3. Loose or worn derailleur: The derailleur can get loose or worn out, causing it to misalign with the chain and leading to chain slipping. Check the derailleur’s alignment and tighten any loose bolts.
4. Dirty or dry chain: A dirty or dry chain can cause the chain to slip. Clean the chain with a degreaser and lubricate it with bike chain lubricant.
5. Misaligned derailleur hanger: The derailleur hanger can get bent, causing the derailleur to be misaligned and leading to chain slipping. Use a derailleur hanger alignment tool to check and adjust the alignment.
6. Insufficient tension in the chain: Insufficient tension in the chain can cause the chain to slip. Adjust the chain tension using the derailleur’s barrel adjuster.
7. Misadjusted derailleur limit screws: The derailleur limit screws control the movement range of the derailleur. If they’re misadjusted, the derailleur can’t move the chain into the correct position, leading to chain slipping. Adjust the limit screws as needed.

By identifying and addressing these issues, you can prevent chain slipping and ensure a safe and enjoyable riding experience. It’s important to perform regular bike maintenance to prevent these issues from occurring.

1. Rear Derailleur Adjustment

A misadjusted rear derailleur is a common cause of chain slipping, and adjusting it can help fix the problem. Here’s how to adjust the rear derailleur:

1. Shift the chain to the smallest cog on the cassette and the smallest chainring on the front.
2. Loosen the derailleur cable pinch bolt on the derailleur and pull the cable tight. Re-tighten the pinch bolt.
3. Turn the bike upside down or put it on a bike stand to make it easier to work on.
4. Shift the chain to the largest cog on the cassette and the largest chainring on the front.
5. Check the position of the derailleur pulley relative to the largest cog on the cassette. The pulley should be directly under the cog, with a small gap of about 5mm between the two.
6. If the pulley isn’t aligned properly, use the barrel adjuster on the derailleur to adjust the cable tension. Turning the barrel adjuster clockwise will tighten the cable, moving the derailleur towards the smallest cog, and turning it counter-clockwise will loosen the cable, moving the derailleur towards the largest cog.
7. Shift the chain back down to the smallest cog on the cassette and check the alignment of the derailleur pulley again. Make any necessary adjustments using the barrel adjuster.
8. Shift through all the gears to ensure the derailleur is adjusted properly.
9. If the chain still slips, check the derailleur hanger alignment and adjust it if necessary.

By following these steps, you can adjust the rear derailleur to help fix chain slipping. It’s important to perform regular bike maintenance to prevent these issues from occurring. If you’re unsure about how to adjust the derailleur or encounter any problems, consider taking your bike to a professional bike shop for servicing.

2. Replacing Shifting Cables

Replacing the shifting cables can also help fix chain slipping if the problem is caused by insufficient tension or worn out cables. Here’s how to replace the shifting cables:

1. Shift the chain to the smallest cog on the cassette and the smallest chainring on the front.
2. Loosen the derailleur cable pinch bolt on the derailleur and release the cable.
3. Remove the cable end cap from the shifter and use pliers to pull the cable out of the shifter.
4. Install the new cable through the shifter and thread it through the cable housing.
5. Thread the cable through the derailleur and re-attach it to the derailleur cable pinch bolt. Pull the cable tight and re-tighten the pinch bolt.
6. Shift the chain to the largest cog on the cassette and the largest chainring on the front.
7. Use the barrel adjuster on the derailleur to adjust the cable tension. Turning the barrel adjuster clockwise will tighten the cable, moving the derailleur towards the smallest cog, and turning it counter-clockwise will loosen the cable, moving the derailleur towards the largest cog.
8. Shift through all the gears to ensure the cable tension is adjusted properly.
9. If the chain still slips, check the derailleur hanger alignment and adjust it if necessary.

By following these steps, you can replace the shifting cables to help fix chain slipping. It’s important to perform regular bike maintenance to prevent these issues from occurring. If you’re unsure about how to replace the cables or encounter any problems, consider taking your bike to a professional bike shop for servicing.

3. Adjusting Cables Tension

Adjusting the cable tension can also help fix chain slipping if the problem is caused by insufficient tension. Here’s how to adjust the cable tension:

1. Shift the chain to the smallest cog on the cassette and the smallest chainring on the front.
2. Locate the barrel adjuster on the derailleur. The barrel adjuster is usually located on the derailleur itself or on the shifter.
3. Turn the barrel adjuster clockwise to tighten the cable tension. This will move the derailleur towards the smallest cog.
4. Turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise to loosen the cable tension. This will move the derailleur towards the largest cog.
5. Shift through all the gears to ensure the cable tension is adjusted properly.
6. If the chain still slips, check the derailleur hanger alignment and adjust it if necessary.

By following these steps, you can adjust the cable tension to help fix chain slipping. It’s important to perform regular bike maintenance to prevent these issues from occurring.

4. Positioning Front Derailleur

If your chain is slipping off the front derailleur, there are several possible causes, but one common issue is that the derailleur is not positioned correctly. Here’s how to position the front derailleur to reduce chain slipping:

1. Check the limit screws: Before adjusting the position of the derailleur, make sure that the limit screws are properly set. The limit screws control how far the derailleur can move inwards and outwards. If they are not set correctly, the chain may slip off the derailleur. To adjust the limit screws, shift the chain to the outermost chainring and adjust the H-limit screw so that the chain just clears the derailleur cage. Then shift the chain to the innermost chainring and adjust the L-limit screw so that the chain just clears the derailleur cage.
2. Adjust the height: The height of the derailleur can also affect how well it guides the chain. The outer cage of the derailleur should be positioned so that it is 1-3mm above the teeth of the large chainring. Use a ruler or a caliper to measure the distance.
3. Adjust the angle: The angle of the derailleur can also affect how well it guides the chain. The outer cage should be parallel to the large chainring. Use a tool like a derailleur alignment gauge to check the angle and adjust as necessary.
4. Check the cable tension: The cable tension can also affect how well the derailleur guides the chain. If the cable tension is too loose, the chain may slip off the derailleur. To adjust the cable tension, shift the chain to the outermost chainring and tighten the cable until the chain moves smoothly. Then shift the chain to the innermost chainring and adjust the cable tension until the chain moves smoothly in that position as well.

By properly adjusting the position of the front derailleur, you can reduce the likelihood of chain slipping off the derailleur.

5. Cleaning Sprockets

Cleaning your sprockets is an important step to prevent chain slipping and extend the life of your bike’s drivetrain components. Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the chain from the bike: To clean the sprockets thoroughly, it’s best to remove the chain from the bike. This will allow you to clean each sprocket individually and reach all the nooks and crannies.
2. Use a degreaser: Apply a degreaser to the sprockets and let it sit for a few minutes to break down any built-up dirt, grease, or grime. You can use a dedicated degreaser or a mixture of dish soap and water.
3. Scrub the sprockets: Use a stiff-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the sprockets, paying extra attention to the teeth and gaps between them. Make sure to remove all the dirt and grime.
4. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the sprockets with a hose or a bucket of water to remove any remaining degreaser or dirt.
5. Dry the sprockets: Use a clean rag or a towel to dry the sprockets thoroughly. Make sure there’s no water left on them before you put the chain back on.
6. Lubricate the chain: After the sprockets are clean and dry, lubricate the chain with a bike-specific lubricant. Make sure to apply the lubricant evenly and wipe off any excess.
7. Reinstall the chain

6. Replace Worn out Wogs

When the teeth on the cogs (the gears on the rear wheel of a bicycle) become worn or damaged, they can cause the chain to slip or skip under pressure. This can be a frustrating problem, as it can make pedaling more difficult and cause poor shifting performance.

If you are experiencing chain slipping, it’s likely that you need to replace the worn out cogs. You can do this by purchasing a new cassette (the group of cogs on the rear wheel) or by replacing individual cogs if they are available.

To prevent premature wear on your cogs and chain, it’s important to keep your bicycle properly lubricated and to avoid shifting under heavy load or when the chain is not properly aligned. Additionally, regularly inspecting your bicycle’s drivetrain for wear and damage can help you catch problems early on and avoid more costly repairs down the line.

7. Fixing Chain Length

Adjusting the chain length may help to fix a chain slipping problem in some cases, but it depends on the underlying cause of the issue.

If the chain is too loose, it can slip on the cogs, especially when under heavy load. In this case, adjusting the chain length to make it tighter may help to prevent slipping. To do this, you can use a chain tool to remove a link or two from the chain, or adjust the position of the rear wheel to increase tension on the chain.

However, if the slipping is caused by worn or damaged cogs, adjusting the chain length may not be effective in solving the problem. In this case, you will likely need to replace the worn cogs, as I mentioned in my previous response.

It’s also worth noting that a chain slipping problem may have multiple causes, such as worn cogs and a loose chain, so it’s important to inspect your bicycle’s drivetrain thoroughly to determine the root cause of the issue before attempting to fix it.

8. Changing Shifting Cables

Changing shifting cables may not directly fix a chain slipping problem, but it can improve shifting performance and help prevent chain slipping in the future.

A worn or frayed shifting cable can cause poor shifting performance, which can lead to the chain slipping on the cogs. This is because a poorly adjusted derailleur or a worn cable can cause the chain to not align correctly with the cogs when shifting, leading to the chain slipping or skipping.

Replacing the shifting cables can help to ensure that the derailleur is properly adjusted and that the chain is shifting smoothly and accurately. This can reduce the likelihood of the chain slipping due to poor shifting performance.

It’s worth noting, however, that if the chain slipping is caused by worn or damaged cogs, replacing the shifting cables alone may not fully resolve the issue. In this case, it’s also important to inspect the cogs for wear and damage, and replace them if necessary.

Overall, changing the shifting cables can be a helpful maintenance step to ensure that your bicycle’s drivetrain is functioning properly, but it may not be the sole solution to a chain slipping problem.

9. Remove Extra Lube

Applying too much lubricant to the chain can cause it to slip on the cogs, especially if the excess lubricant attracts dirt and grime, which can build up on the chain and cogs.

To avoid this issue, it’s important to apply the right amount of lubricant to the chain, which is enough to coat the chain evenly, but not so much that it drips or accumulates excessively. You can use a chain lubricant designed for bicycles and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper application.

If you’ve already applied too much lubricant to the chain, you can remove the excess by wiping it off with a clean rag. Be sure to wipe down the chain and cogs thoroughly to remove any excess lubricant that may have accumulated. You can also use a degreaser or a chain cleaning tool to remove any buildup of dirt and grime.

It’s also important to remember that too little lubricant can also cause the chain to slip, as it can cause increased friction between the chain and cogs. So, it’s important to find the right balance and regularly inspect your chain for proper lubrication and cleanliness to prevent chain slipping.

10. Using Compatible Chain

Here’s a guide to using a compatible chain to avoid chain slipping:

1. Determine the type of chain required: Different types of bicycles and drivetrains require different types of chains. Check your bicycle’s owner’s manual or speak with a knowledgeable bike mechanic to determine the appropriate type of chain for your bicycle.
2. Choose a high-quality chain: Not all chains are created equal. Invest in a high-quality chain that is designed to withstand the demands of your riding style and terrain. Look for chains that are made from durable materials and are compatible with your drivetrain.
3. Ensure proper installation: Installing a chain correctly is critical to preventing chain slipping. Make sure that the chain is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and that it is the correct length for your bicycle’s drivetrain.
4. Maintain proper chain tension: A loose chain can cause chain slipping, so it’s important to maintain proper chain tension. Check your chain tension regularly and adjust as needed. You can do this by using a chain tension tool or by adjusting the position of the rear wheel.
5. Keep your chain clean and lubricated: Regularly cleaning and lubricating your chain can help to prevent chain slipping. Use a chain cleaning tool and a quality chain lubricant to keep your chain running smoothly.
6. Check for wear and damage: A worn or damaged chain can cause chain slipping. Check your chain regularly for signs of wear, such as elongation, rust, or damage to the chain links. If you notice any issues, replace the chain as soon as possible.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you are using a compatible chain and taking the necessary steps to prevent chain slipping. Regular maintenance and attention to your bicycle’s drivetrain can help to extend the life of your chain and prevent costly repairs down the line.

Final Verdict

Chain slipping is a common issue that can occur when riding a bicycle. There are several potential causes of chain slipping, including a worn out chain, cogs or derailleur, improper chain tension, excess lubrication, or damaged shifting cables. To fix chain slipping, it’s important to identify the underlying cause and take the appropriate steps to address it.

One potential fix for chain slipping is to replace a worn out chain, cassette, or chainring. Over time, these components can become worn and damaged, which can cause the chain to slip on the cogs. By replacing these components, you can ensure that the chain is properly engaged with the cogs, which can reduce the likelihood of chain slipping.

Another potential fix is to adjust the chain tension. A loose or tight chain can cause the chain to slip on the cogs, so it’s important to ensure that the chain tension is properly adjusted. This can be done using a chain tension tool or by adjusting the position of the rear wheel.

In some cases, chain slipping can be caused by a misaligned derailleur. Checking and adjusting the derailleur alignment can help to ensure that the chain is shifting smoothly and accurately, which can reduce the likelihood of chain slipping.

Using a compatible chain and keeping it clean and lubricated can also help to prevent chain slipping. Different types of bicycles and drivetrains require different types of chains, so it’s important to use a chain that is compatible with your bicycle. Keeping the chain clean and lubricated can also help to ensure that it is running smoothly.

Finally, if the shifting cables are worn or damaged, they may need to be replaced. Worn or frayed shifting cables can cause poor shifting performance, which can lead to chain slipping. By replacing the shifting cables, you can ensure that the derailleur is properly adjusted and that the chain is shifting smoothly and accurately.

It’s worth noting that the most effective solution will depend on the specific cause of the chain slipping. In some cases, multiple fixes may be necessary. If you are unsure about how to fix the issue, it’s always best to consult with a knowledgeable bike mechanic for guidance.