newbie question

[uk elephant]

So I have this brand new (month old) bike and love it, but it's doing something that worries me. I'm not good at writing, and now sure how to explain, but I'm hoping someone will be able to think of what the problem is.

I have a very nice new Specialized Tricross, but sometimes the bike just doesn't run smoothly and I can't quite place the problem. I think I came to the conclusion on my ride today that "it" was located in the chain/cog/derailer area. As I was pedalling, it felt like the chain was tugging at something...or was it the crank not moving around smoothly....in any event, I could feel it in the pedals. This has happened before, and I thought it was the pedals because they were very loose. I too the bike back to the shop and they agreed the pedals were too loose and put new ones on. The new ones are fine, not vibrating at all. So I'm back to the chain/cog/derailer. Could it have something to do with mud and rain? I hadn't noticed it for a while, until yesterday (it was raining) and it got worse today (rain and muddy path). Could it be mud clogging things up? Or should I be worried that it's something worse? If so, what could it be?

Hopefully some of you can desciphre my random description and come with some ideas of what it could be.....

[Trek420]

Yes, absolutely can have a lot to do with mud, gunk, dust, sludge in the works. A clean chain is a happy chain.

I clean the entire bike including power train (chain, deraileurs etc) about every 3 rides, or 300 miles, or whenever the bike "asks" me to, whichever is first.

I've got 4 minutes left on break but we've got a lot of new bikergals here so there's tons of info re maintenance here.

[DebW]

It could easily be gunk in the chain and cogs. Clean off the gunk with brushes and solvent (messy job) and then oil the chain. When things look clean, stand your bike against a wall and run the pedals backwards. The chain should run smoothly through the cogs. If it makes little jerks as it goes around a cog or through the jockey wheels, you have a stiff link in the chain. Your LBS can fit it in 2 minutes, or get yourself a chain tool and do it yourself. Other things to check: remove the chain from the front chainrings and grasp the two crank arms. See if the crank arms move relative to each other. See if the crank arms move in and out relative to the bike. Check that the chainring bolts are firmly tightened with no play in the chainrings relative to the crank arms. Check that the rear derailleur had no sideways play but moves front-to-back on it's spring. Since your LBS recently checked the bike, these things are unlikely, but occassionally something will loosen unexpectedly.

[bcipam]

Do you understand what "trimming" is? Sometimes a bike is in a "half-gear" and needs to be trimmed. Using your shifters, click it slightly or move it into another gear and see if the problem doesn't go away.

Trimming seems to be a common "newbie" problem. If you don't still understand, ask the bike shop to explain properly.

[Trek420]

bcipam,

can you trim with Shimano? thought only Campy does that?

uk,

good place to start here with basics of cleaning and bike lube

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...highlight=lube


and here

http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_happy.asp

take care of your bike, it'll take care of you.

[bcipam]

Never ridden with Campy - only Shimano and yes I can trim although I think it may not work as well with lower end components. I ride with Ultegra and Dura Ace.