Chain smokin'

[ECOdork]

I thought I'd draw people in with the hip thread title :bang:.

So I need to put a brand new chain on. I've got my Park Toolz book and my SRAM powerlink, but does anyone have any tips?

Do I count links from my old chain to cut the new chain or do I go by length of the old chain (insert vulgar remark here)?

 

[LBmtb]

Straighten out the old and new one side by side on a table or floor. That makes it pretty easy to make sure you get the same length.

 

[ECOdork]

The chain is on, but now my rear derailleur strangely will not drop into the smallest sprocket and the limits don't seem to help....is the chain too long?

 

[TURNERob]

The chain is on, but now my rear derailleur strangely will not drop into the smallest sprocket and the limits don't seem to help....is the chain too long?

Small sprocket in the front or rear?

 

[flyingmonkey]

I messed this one up before, if you don't know have a shop do it

 

[EndoMaster]

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=26

I've used the "Largest cog and largest chainring method" a few times on different bikes and it's worked out fine each time.

Agustin

 

[TURNERob]

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=26

I've used the "Largest cog and largest chainring method" a few times on different bikes and it's worked out fine each time.

Agustin

Yeah I usually use that also. Works pretty well. For the lazy people just take the chain and put it around the big ring in front and big cog in back without going through the rear der. Then find the link that you can use to connect to make the chain the shortest then add 2 more to that, then cut the chain there and install.

 

[ECOdork]

I appreciate the responses guys.

 

[Von-Skipp]

I thought I'd draw people in with the hip thread title :bang:.

your title made think of some good times at Mammoth. Chain Smoke one of the best trails there!!

 

[TURNERob]

Man you guys are hardcore! The sign even says full face helmets, and you guys don't even have pads! :bang:

 

[Von-Skipp]

Man you guys are hardcore! The sign even says full face helmets, and you guys don't even have pads! :bang:

THere is one huge technical drop, other than that it was all rideable. We defintely gotta plan a Mammoth trip this summer!

 

[Steven Jackson]

Totally bitchin' guys! I'm currently fabricating a sign like that for the "mormon downhill" on the loop.

 

[PacMan]

The method I use--that was told ot me by 3 seperate mechanics, is to put the chain in the smallest rings front and back. Position the rear derailluer pulleys so that they are parallel to the ground in a straight line. Then, position the second/bottom pulley so that it is behind and slightly below the level of the first/top pulley. Then, pull the chain tight to leave only a finger's width of space between the chain and the first/top pulley. I have used this method many times and it always works perfectly.

 

[ECOdork]

I think I got the chain length right, but my problem, I believe, was that I broke my own cardinal rule of maintenance/repair/troubleshooting and I changed too many things at once. I also tried to install a new XT front derailleur at the same time. Maybe a more capable wrench than I would have no problem with this, but not I.
Adding to the frustration: the configuration of the XT Front D. and the configuration of my frame make it so that you can barely get to the limit screws for tuning! rotest: I imagine that it wouldn't be THAT big of a deal once they were set, but for now it's driving me nutz! Plus, I can easily envision being up on a snowy and icy Main Divide, having shifting problems, and not having the ONE F#$@#ing screwdriver that will let me adjust the derailleur.](*,)

So in the process I managed to screw up the adjustment of the entire drivetrain! [-( I'm going to admit defeat, put the LX Front D. back on, and take ye'olde Rocky Mtn in to have a pro get her back in working order...#-o

At least I tried, right?:?:

And maybe I'll have it back just in time for this weekend's impending alaskan storm! :-({|=

 

[TURNERob]

Lance, bring your bike to me if you want man....I'll straighten it all out for you and have it done before the weekend

 

[ECOdork]

Lance, bring your bike to me if you want man....I'll straighten it all out for you and have it done before the weekend

I just may take you up on that! When and where? I'll be free after about 3:00 today.

 

[TURNERob]

I just may take you up on that! When and where? I'll be free after about 3:00 today.

Bring it to my work, I should be here till at least 5.

 

[Pho'dUp]

If the LX Front D worked just use that. It's not really worth upgrading to XT if your LX already worked.

If the chain won't drop to your smallest cassette cog (no. 9)... Make sure that the rear derailleur cable isn't already pulling on the Rear Derailleur up into your next smallest cog (no. 8, If that's the case the chain won't move in to the smallest cog regardless of the limit screw. Also, it could be your shifter housing. If it's gunky or rusted the cable won't slide smoothly allowing the derailleur to move.

Same goes for the front. You want the cables to be tight without slack, but you don't want them prematurely pulling too much on the derailleurs moving them up into the next ring.

I run really short chains, but I always start out with the Big ring, Big Cassette cog +2 links method.

Hope that helped. :lol:

 

[ECOdork]

If the LX Front D worked just use that. It's not really worth upgrading to XT if your LX already worked....

YeP, that's what I gave in to. Thanks for the other tips!
I'll have to double check cable tensions but I don't think the rear would drop into 9 even when I totally loosened the cable:-s... But at this point, I've tweaked everything to the point of mass confusion!

Rob, I'll see you around 3:30!:clap:

 

[TURNERob]

Sounds good Lance, I'll get her fixed up for ya Just promise me you won't start biting your tires when you get here [-X