Humph!!!

[Python]

Was doing my fastest time home (all uphill) today. Came to the one and only downhill part of my ride home (about 1/4 mile from my house), changed gear...and dropped the chain

Still got home in 15 minutes though If I hadn't had to put the chain back on, I would probably have done it in 13 minutes.

Oh well, there's always tomorrow

[equus123]

Congratulations on your accomplishment That's awesome.

Not sure what your scenario was but there's a trick if you lose your chain off the inside when shifting from the big>little or middle>granny in the front.

Immediately when this happens, shift the front deraillure all the way to the big ring (no matter how many clicks you need to get there) and slow your pedalling for a couple pedal strokes. This should save you and the chain should lock into the teeth on the big ring without losing much time or speed at all. It takes a few times to do it before you become a pro at it.

And to make sure this doesn't happen again when you shift to a smaller chain ring in the front, move down the cassette a gear or two if you're in an easy gear or within the top 2-3. You'll probably never drop you chain in this manner if you're in the middle of the cassette and if you do....get a tune up!!

[equus123]

might as well......

Conversely, if you lose your chain to the outside of the big ring, the deraillure needs tuning and adjusting. No workaround for that one.

[smilingcat]

oh??? maybe I'm sorta mistaken then... I thought there was a pin sticking out on the big chain ring next to the crank. That pin is there to keep you from jamming the chain between the big chain ring and the crank.

so wouldn it be possible to just "release" the front deraillure onto the smallest chain ring and wouldn't that make/cause it to pop back on??

crinkling up my nose and confused,
Smilingcat

[Python]

I don't have a front derailleur on my bike. She's only got 5 gears. It happened when I changed down to the smallest rear cog - I pushed the lever a little bit too far (friction change) and the chain got trapped between the little cog and the frame.

Discovered that the deodorising wipes I carry are great for getting oil off my hands

[equus123]

haha well that's good then.

[RolliePollie]

And to make sure this doesn't happen again when you shift to a smaller chain ring in the front, move down the cassette a gear or two if you're in an easy gear or within the top 2-3. You'll probably never drop you chain in this manner if you're in the middle of the cassette and if you do....get a tune up!!

Great advice! I think I'm starting to get this very thing figured out. I was dropping my chain constantly at first, but now I pay more attention to which gear I'm in before I try to change chain rings, and I haven't dropped my chain in weeks. Of course, now that I've typed this, I'll probably drop it on my next ride!

Someday, maybe I can just stay in the middle ring most of the time. Unfortunately, right now I need my granny gears on most hills. Actually, I need the granniest of my granny gears for most hills! So there's lots of chain ring shifting going on. But as long as I can keep from dropping the chain, it's not so bad.

Shifting it back on once it's dropped is not something I've figured out yet.

[Python]

Easy enough to put the chain back on - but prepared to end up with oily hands

Since my bike's only got five gears (she's like her owner - knocking on a bit ) I tend to favour 3rd gear. Find it's a good all rounder on my bike and fine for most hill climbing. Usually drop her down a gear on one section of my commute as there is a really steep 300 yard climb.

Once I get my new bike next month I'll be getting my Raleigh serviced. She's quite an old bike, but a good one and I think she deserves a treat