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Rear Cassette skipping

dogwonder

Nitro
May 3, 2005
1,849
0
Walking the Earth
I've got a very annoying problem of skipping links on my rear cassette. I took it to the shop earlier in the week and they thought I had some stiff links so hooked me up with a new chain. Went for a ride last night and still had the same skipping problem. I'm pretty sure my derailleur is line up ok, although it does feel like it keeps trying to shift back and forth from gears.

So my question is, if my derailleur is lined up ok and I don't have any stiff links, what could be causing skipped links and/or jumping back and forth between gears?
 

binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,220
1,432
NC
First of all, make sure your chain is well lubed.

But I'd be willing to bet a six pack that the problem is that your cassette and chain are not worn properly with each other. If you run a cassette with the same chain long enough, the chain stretches a bit and wears your cassette accordingly. Then, when you put a new chain on, it doesn't sit properly.

Look at your cassette carefully. If it looks worn, you might need a new one. If it doesn't look worn, you could live with it for a little while and it'll probably go away - I had the same problem for a while (new chain but the cassette wasn't worn that much) and it just went away after a couple rides. I just had to be careful when pedalling for the first ride.

That's just my experience, though, someone else might have a better answer :p
 

Dartman

Old Bastard Mike
Feb 26, 2003
3,911
0
Richmond, VA
I'd say you win the brew BV.

New chain and old cassette = skipping. Get a new cassette. You can't really see how much it's worn until you compare it to a new one.

Mike
 

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
I assume they tried adjusting the derailer limit screws and such before a new chain?

Considering it was skipping before you put a new chain on -- could be a bent cog or tooth(only doing it in certain gears), your derailer has some play in it, bent hanger, even front chainrings can cause skipping.

Try some new housing and cable. I actually had the housing blow through the ferrule(loco had the same thing happen to him). If the housing is relatively new then removing and trimming the ends might help.




Edit -- If your old chain was skipping because of worn teeth then you most likely need a whole new drivetrain -- chain, cassette and chainrings.
 

capt.crispy

Monkey
Apr 18, 2006
291
0
Farmington,New Mexico
I agree with all the above but you might try this.Shift through the gears in the rear and the granny ring in the front and see if it skips.If not try the middle.and then the big ring.It could be one of the chainrings in the front.if not then the cables or the cass.
 

kindtrails

Monkey
May 23, 2006
135
1
Humboldt
I have the same problem. My whole rig is brand new (I built it). My cassette skips when it gets a little dirty, then works when I clean it. My local bike shop suggested I look at my cable routing. possibly when my rear suspension pivots, it is affecting my rear derailer! He ran a continuous housing from the shifter to the derailer on his bike to cure a similar problem. Thought I might try this, see what happens!