Dropping chains, etc.

[JanB]

I would not worry about the chain at all. Whenever my chain hops off, I pedal slowly and shift on the left side, and the chain hops right back on. I've been surprised how many people don't know this that I've ridden with. And the more you get familiar with shifting, the more the chain does what you want it to. I've been riding for years and still manage to lose it from time to time. As far as maintenance, I occasionally stop by my lbs and have them look at it and tell me if I need to do anything. I need to get better at that part but it's never been a problem.

[Ninabike]

Dropping the chain normally does not happen when the cables are properly adjusted. When you first get a new bike, the cables will stretch, so you should take the bike into the LBS to have it adjusted. Periodic adjustments are always needed the more wear you put on the drivetrain.

There is a fitting you can buy which fits on the botttom of your seat tube and it will prevent the chain from dropping off the inner chainring. It is called a "Dog Fang Chain Guide" and it is made my Deda; cost, $14.99. Most LBS's should have it or they can order it for you. Although some people think it is "Fred", including my LBS, I have used it on 2 of my bikes. It is a small hard rubber ring with a hook (dog fang), which fits close to the innner chainring. If the chain should drop, you just keep pedalling and the chain goes right back on. It is so small and inconspicuous, you don't even know it's there.

[lauraelmore1033]

I hope my story of chain woes is not in some part responsible for your worries. I think my problem came about because I developed a bad habit of "cross chaining" on my hybrid,which was very forgiving and never ever dropped her chain. Not sure why, I guess I just didn't know any better at the time. I also have a bad habit of waiting until I'm in trouble on a hill and then shifting to the grannie gear in a panic with too much tension on the chain. Since you've always been chainless, it is unlikely you will have developed the same bad habits. If worse comes to worst, I have discovered there is a handy little gadget called a "chain keeper" which is like a little plastic thumb, poised right by the grannie gear which nudges the chain back where it belongs should it start to fall off. Hubby installed mine monday and we tried several times to MAKE the chain fall off and it wouldn't. (I will still try to improve my shifting habits, but it's a nice bit of insurance...)

[mimitabby]

Ninabike, sorry, your chain CAN be perfectly adjusted and you can throw it if you shift wrong.

some of us are very talented that way.

[lauraelmore1033]

wait, the gadget is actually called "Third Eye Chain Watcher". I'm sure it is VERY fred, but I snatched up the last one they had at REI, so there must be many other chain droppin' freds out there besides me...

[Ninabike]

Ninabike, sorry, your chain CAN be perfectly adjusted and you can throw it if you shift wrong.

some of us are very talented that way.

Yeah, I seem to have the same talent; thus need all the "Fred" help I can get!!

[gingergin]

I took a basic bicycling skills class and the instructor pulled the chain off the rings/cogs and showed us that you just put it back on. Just grab it and get it back on - just put it anyplace you can get it and when your wheel spins it will correct itself to whatever speed you are in. If you are really coordinated you can use your house key instead of your fingers to grab it, or just use your fingers and look like you've been doing some mechanical work! But definitely find a tree or a bench to lean your bike up against. Otherwise, if you're like me, you will end up in a very awkward position....like with your bike on top of you.....

[madisongrrl]

I would not worry about the chain at all. Whenever my chain hops off, I pedal slowly and shift on the left side, and the chain hops right back on. I've been surprised how many people don't know this that I've ridden with.

Actually, you have to be careful when you do this and I would recommend against this. If there is any kind of kink in the chain or you put too much pressure on the pedals, you could screw up your drive train or break your chain.

How do I know this, you ask? Because I've done it. I was out on a training ride in the country on my Cervelo soloist team road bike. I was riding up a very steep hill, I shifted (chain was too stretched) and I dropped my chain. I didn't want to get off my bike, so while trackstanding, I gently shifted my front derailleur and slowly pedaled to get my chain back on my bike. Then all I heard was this crunch, crunch, rip. I immediately jumped off my bike to take a look. I had ripped my rear derailleur off the bike. There must have been a slight kink in the chain. I was in the middle of cow town usa, so I had to call someone to pick me up. The final damage was I needed a new derailleur hanger (the rear derailleur was fine) which runs ~$20. Unfortunatelly when I ripped the rear derailleur off, it damaged my rear wheel to the point where I need a new one. The cost of my rear wheel (I haven't bought a new one yet) will probablly run ~$200-400.

So just be careful if you attempt to try this one!

[mimitabby]

Actually, you have to be careful when you do this and I would recommend against this. If there is any kind of kink in the chain or you put too much pressure on the pedals, you could screw up your drive train.

How do I know this, you ask? Because I've done it. I was out on a training ride in the country on my Cervelo soloist team road bike. I was riding up a very steep hill, I shifted (chain was too stretched) and I dropped my chain. I didn't want to get off my bike, so while trackstanding, I gently shifted my front derailleur and slowly pedaled to get my chain back on my bike. Then all I heard was this crunch, crunch, rip. I immediately jumped off my bike to take a look. I had ripped my rear derailleur off the bike. There must have been a slight kink in the chain. I was in the middle of cow town usa, so I had to call someone to pick me up. The final damage was I needed a new derailleur hanger (the rear derailleur was fine) which runs ~$20. Unfortunatelly when I ripped the rear derailleur off, it damaged my rear wheel to the point where I need a new one. The cost of my rear wheel (I haven't bought a new one yet) will probablly run ~$200-400.

So just be careful if you attempt to try this one!

Pooks, don't worry about this happening to you!
there are no "Very steep hills" in Texas, anyway; right?

[Aggie_Ama]

Pooks, don't worry about this happening to you!
there are no "Very steep hills" in Texas, anyway; right?

Mimi- were you being sarcastic? I haven't ridden in Dallas, but Tyler (just east) is hilly and "The Beast" out there is definitely steep!

That being said, I ride steep hills often (usually short but steep) and have not had a big problem dropping chains. Did it a couple times on my old Fuji, no big deal. Haven't done it yet on my Synapse, but I am sure I will one day.
It happens when the bike is in tune but it is really a big problem when your chain is old, cables stretched.

Pooks- It happens but it isn't any reason to swear off chains. Make sure the LBS provides free tune ups for a year and see if they have a basic maintenance class. Some of the shops in Houston even offer women only maintenance classes. You'll be fine.