hard shifting

[violette]

I have a GIANT OCR 3. If anyone else has one, is the shifting really hard? The bike chain goes around one big sprocket wheel. When I change gears the derailleur moves the chain to the correct sprocket wheel and makes this loud bang. The shifting is terrible. Is this normal with Serano shifters or is there something I should get checked?

[VeloVT]

Violette,
it's hard to tell from your description if there is something wrong or not. When you say the shifting is "terrible", is that because it's loud, or for some other reason? This loudness -- it is just the "clunk" when the chain moves to a new ring, or is it rattling? Are you missing shifts?

I think you should probably take it in during a slowish time and have the mechanic put it up on a stand. You can explain what's bothering you, and s/he can both look to see if there is something wrong, and give you a better idea of what you *should* expect.

Good luck!

[SouthernBelle]

I have a Giant, but it's all Shimano. When I was using White Lightening as a lube, the shifting was noisy. That's why I changed.

[ridebikeme]

It sounds to me like the cable tension is off just a tad... definitely take it to your LBS and have them check it. Is the bike new? Has anythiing been changed on it lately?

[violette]

Yes, it is the "clunk" when the chain moves to a new ring. I got in in October 2006, but it's in excellent shape. It always did this clunk. Are you all saying it's not normal? I thought the Shifters were just made cheap.

[SadieKate]

Is it when you shift from the smaller ring to the larger or from the large to the small?

[SouthernBelle]

Are you actually having problems getting from one ring to the other?

Also, how often are you cleaning and lubing your chain?

[violette]

It's the front rings. When I go from a big to small ring.

[violette]

OOOPPSSS...I meant on the BACK rings. Going from the Big ring to the small.

[ehirsch83]

OOOPPSSS...I meant on the BACK rings. Going from the Big ring to the small.

So the rear cassette on your wheel?

It sounds like it is dirty and just needs some cleaning. You could need some adjustments also, have you taken it back in since you bought it for adjustments?
Take it in to your LBS and just have a one over, let them know- it might just need a basic tuneup or just a simple cleaning!

[SouthernBelle]

What she said. It could be overshifting a tad which is a simple adjustment.