Chain dropping off chainring, brand new bike
Posted by a_halla@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 12 comments
I have a Velotric Tempo I got last week, have put 100 miles on it so far. When the bike arrived, it wasn't shifting great, so I followed the derailleur manufacturer instructions for setting tension to a T and it shifts great since then. However, about once a day of riding (10-20 miles), the chain will fall off the chainring after riding over a bump.
My searching into this issue has pointed to old/loose/dirty chain, non-narrow-wide chainring, incorrect tension settings... however, the chain is basically brand new along with the bike, this bike comes with narrow-wide chainring from factory, and tensions have been adjusted for perfect shifting. So I'm a bit at a loss as to what could be the issue. Any guidance? Thanks in advance!
unseenmover@reddit
thats b/c the 8 spd RD on the bike lacks a clutch mech which hold the RD in place over bumps and such.
Simple-Narwhal-8676@reddit
Yeah, that sounds super annoying on a new bike. Honestly I’d bet the chain’s a bit long or the derailleur isn’t keeping enough tension over bumps. Happens more than you’d think out of the box. If it has a clutch, make sure it’s turned on. If not, taking a link or two out usually fixes this. I appreciate you explaining it clearly; hope it’s an easy fix.
_KeepOnTrucking_@reddit
Every time this has happened to me, it's either been a slightly out-of-adjustment derailleur
or an stretched chain from under lubrication.
chrispark70@reddit
Put the bike in the highest gear on the shifter and let the bike shift down to wherever it wants to go. Loosen the nut holding the derailleur cable and let it come loose. Then, using your hand, pull tension on the cable and tighten the nut back down. This is the starting point. You want to do this first.
Then, start pedaling and shifting. Make sure it goes up and down the gears without excess noise or taking too long. If the gear change is noisy or taking too long, turn the black plastic piece where the cable housing goes into the derailleur, clockwise to favor the inner gears and counter clockwise to favor the outter (smaller) gears.
This will help explain it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkZxPIZ1ngY&
atlasraven@reddit
Great explanation.
Par4DaCourse@reddit
I'm not familiar with your bike, but if your derailleur has a clutch, make sure that's it's switched on.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
When you say you adjusted the tension, does that include Body screw adjustment? If not, you should try that before removing a link (or two).
Also before shortening the chain, check tension when in lowest gear to ensure there is slack.
Laserdollarz@reddit
I've had to take links out of the chain on every ebike my gf and I own.
a_halla@reddit (OP)
Wow good to know! Thanks!
Nervous-Iron2473@reddit
Take a link or 2 out of the chain.
a_halla@reddit (OP)
I will give that a shot, thank you!
Legitimate_Bizness@reddit
This. Sounds like the chain is too long.