What makes the chain fall off?

[drplasma64]

Today, my chain fell off 3 times in a 7 mile ride. At least 2 of 3 times it happened when I was shifting the front from the big chainring to the little (I have a double) at the bottom of a hill when I was preparing to either go up again or to stop at a light and wanted to be in an easy gear to cross. I *think* I was in a middle gear in the rear (but could have been on the 2nd out of 6). I'm thinking I shifted too soon and was going to fast and couldn't keep enough pressure on the pedals, does that make sense?

[Trek420]

hey there dr.plasma.

first read this thread about shifting under load, then take two asprin and call...just kidding, start here and see if this helps.

It sounds like you're shifting under load, you can shift under the stresses of climbing but it takes skill and practice and ..... tips from TE...start here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=2868&highlight=shifting+load[/url]

[drplasma64]

Trek, actually it's exactly the opposite...I think I'm shifting without ENOUGH load. I've read threads about downshifting before you stop so you are prepared to start up again, and I think I'm going to fast when I do it. Would that make sense? I did better when I didn't think so much about shifting It's easier in a car, just shove that baby into neutral!

[runnergirl]

Chains shouldn't fall off-I'd say there's something outa whack with the front dr. or there's a compatability issue of some sort. What kind of bike/components do you have?

[Wendy]

I had this problem for the first several weeks after I got my new bike. After taking it back to the shop twice for adjustments, I took it to a closer LBS, and the owner took one look at it and said the derailleur was too high. I've only been out on it once since I got it fixed, but it's been perfect so far.

Park Tool has some info on this; scroll down for a photo of how close your derailleur should be to the chainring. It really can make a difference.

I have front-derailleur confidence again!

[bikerchick68]

I agree to get the bike checked! I had an issue with my chain falling off te first bike I owned and as it turns out when they tried to do a "tune up" they found that the frame was 6mm out of alignment and they had to replace the frame with a new one!

Chains should not fall off that much no matter how good/bad a shifter you are... good luck with it!