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Tutorials How to Avoid Chain Suck on Your Bike
Tutorials How to Avoid Chain Suck on Your Bike | How to Avoid Chain Suck on Your Bike |
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"Chain suck" occurs when a bicycle chain fails to release from the bottom of the chain ring. This usually happens when shifting into the small ring, and can break your chain, bend your chain rings, trash your frame and otherwise ruin a ride. Here are some ways to avoid the dreaded chain suck.
Step One
Keep your drivetrain clean and lubed well (see Related eHow "Maintain a Clean and Efficient Bike Drivetrain").
Step Two Inspect your chain and chain rings often for wear and tear. Worn, old chains with stiff links can cause chain suck. So can bent or damaged teeth on your chain ring (if you find some bent teeth, bend them back carefully by gripping them with an adjustable wrench). (Note that some Shimano chain rings will appear to be bent or broken when in fact they were designed that way.)
Step Three Check your chain line (how your front chain rings line up with the rear cogs). In most cases, it will be fine if your bike is stock (i.e., unchanged from manufacture). However, if you have recently replaced the cranks or bottom bracket, this relationship may be off, causing poor shifting and chain suck.
Step Four Concentrate on your shifting and pedaling technique. Late shifting under load can cause problems with any drivetrain. A smooth spin and proper shifting will help prevent chain suck.
Step Five Install an "anti-chain suck" device on your frame if all else fails. This is a small piece of aluminum that attaches to the chain stays. Most bike shops stock them.
Tips & Warnings
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