Dropping chains, etc.

[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.