Cross-chaining! Help!

[slinkedog]

So is anyone going to explain what cross-chaining is??

[bikerz]

Hey Slinke - well, since I seem to be a resident expert on the problem - I'll have a go (but hopefully others will chime in with a clearer explanation!)

Cross chaining is being in my big ring in front and the big ring in back (and vice versa, I suppose, but I don't seem to do it that way). There is so much lateral tension that the chain just jams up and the pedals don't turn, and I swear and curse and just about fall off the bike trying to get unclipped. It's not a pretty sight, let me tell you.

Oh - and it's bad for the chain and all the other moving parts too.

Edited to describe it properly - I had I backwards!

[slinkedog]

Thanks for the explanation. I guess I knew that it was hard on your drivetrain to be in that position (big/little to big/little), but I've never had my chain get jammed. Well, wait a minute. On a ride I did with CindySue and SadieKate, I had an issue where my chain got stuck under something down there and a really strong guy had to literally yank it out 'cause it wasn't budging for me. I don't recall being cross-chained at that point, but I suppose it's possible.

Anyhoo, what you describe sounds very scary. Having to clip out at a moment's notice is one of my least favorite things about cycling.

Edited to say that I asked Blaine about this issue and he said (others may disagree) that no matter how bad you're cross-chained, your bike shouldn't do that to you! He thought it might be a derailleur issue or a bad chain. You adjust your derailleur by turning those little tubes on the cables, but I can't remember which direction for what. Maybe your bike would benefit from a trip to the LBS for a tune up and a look at the cross-chaining thing. If it's fixable, you will be much happier, no?

[Dianyla]

Seconding the vote to get your derailleur adjusted. Even with the chain in the maximum diagonal position, it shouldn't jam up like that. Maybe the derailleur is too low on the post?

[bcipam]

...On a ride I did with CindySue and SadieKate, I had an issue where my chain got stuck under something down there and a really strong guy had to literally yank it out 'cause it wasn't budging for me. I don't recall being cross-chained at that point, but I suppose it's possible.

Anyhoo, what you describe sounds very scary. Having to clip out at a moment's notice is one of my least favorite things about cycling.

What you described is a classic chain suck. It won't generally happen on a road bike but does occur on full suspension mountain bikes especially those with weird rear chainstay designs. The chain gets loose and slappy and gets wedged up where it doesn't belong. I've gotten them so bad I've had to take the chain off (thank goodness for a Conex link) or pull the chain ring off. My Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ had a weird rear chainstay design and is notorious for this problem especially if I cross-chained. Thus the reason for the invention of the third eye chain watcher! Someone would not have invented it if there was no need!

[bikerz]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone.

Well I spent an hour fussing with the FD this morning - I adjusted the cable twisty thingy and the limit screws, with my trusty bike maintenance book open in front of me. I eventually got it to that I could shift smoothly up and down through all the gears without rubbing on the cage except just occassionally. So I was very proud of myself for not making it worse!

Then tonight I headed out for my local short hill loop. It was aggravating! It seems like the FD shifting was very sluggish - most of the time the chain wouldn't drop from the big to the middle chainring at all - I'd have to shift twice, and then eventually, bam, I was in the small chain ring - it skipped the middle one all together. Not what I had in mind, and by then I had lost a lot of momentum. Grrr.

I didn't cross chain at all (although there's not much opportunity on this ride, because it is just up, up up, then down, down down).

So I guess it's time to go to the LBS. I've been in for this kind of problem many times, and on the stand, it shifts great, just like it did for me today when I was done fussing, but then out on the road, under load, it's a whole different story. Each time the LBS owner, who I really like, has convinced me that I just need to learn to be a better shifter, perhaps maybe I am shifting too fast, or not letting it "engage" fully. And it has seemed like that must be the case because it shifts so smoothly on the stand. Hopefully I'l have a chance to take it in tomorrow...

Thanks everyone.

[bcipam]

I'm just impressed you tried to adjust everything yourself. I understand how to do it but leave it to the mechanics in my life (either friends or bike shop). Sounds like some adjustment is needed and you'll be OK.

[slinkedog]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone.

Well I spent an hour fussing with the FD this morning...

Does FD stand for "front derailleur" or "@3%&ing derailleur?"

[bikerz]

Ha! Yeah - that's a technical term! (We're you hiding out in my driveway listening to me???) Plus, it is too hard to spell derailleur properly!