July 13, 20205 yr I just changed tyres on my Woosh Rio to marathon plus. After putting the rear wheel back on I was 100% sure of washer configuration. I have nut, washer, frame then the locking sort of washer. When back pedeling in first gear the chain comes off. Something isn't quite right. Everything thing seems ok going forward through the gears. What should I check?
July 13, 20205 yr It's pointless pedalling backwards as it doesn't get you anywhere ! Pedalling backwards unloads the derailleur so the chain may drop a sprocket or two.
July 14, 20205 yr the chainline is at its most unfavourable position in 1st gear, thus turning the cranks in reverse may unload the chain. Nothing to worry about but there may also be some slack in the derailleur cable due to initial settling after the first few miles. Try tightening it just a little. Turn the thumb screw adjuster anticlockwise for about a quarter to half a turn to see if it's better.
July 14, 20205 yr Author I have messed around with the thumbscrew. Gears change fine. Moving the bike backwards brings the chain off only in 1st or 2nd gear. I have to move bike backwards past my car in the garage. It is annoying because it was fine before I took wheel off.
July 14, 20205 yr The gears may need indexing and the stops adjusting. If you google deraileur indexing there are loads of how to video's.
July 14, 20205 yr One problem I have seen with Deraileur gears after say a puncture, is caused by the owner simply not placing the wheel exactly where it was both in position front to back, and side to side. The tyre must run exactly in the middle between the chain stays IMHO! I pull the axle back on the RH side, till the RH nut is back exactly where it was. Then I slightly tighten the gear side (RH) nut, which pushes on my bike, the tyre towards the gear side chain stay. I then gently pull the non gear side part of the exposed axle towards the rear and slightly to the right, tightening the nut when the tyre is as near as exactly in the middle, and LH side nut is where it was previously. Then I tighten fully both nuts. If you have panniers, it might be a good idea to remove them first! This works for me, but a buddy of mine, uses a completely different setup, that works well for him, but to my mind, it was difficult to follow and it still ended up looking just the same! (I also had no interest in a different procedure, if I am being honest!) Then, when I need to adjust my gears, which is very seldom thankfully, I always go and look at YouTube, which has a mountain of helpful videos. Here are some for you to pick through:- https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=deraileur+gears+adjust+procedure I hope this helps as the error you have must be most annoying for you! To not have to go through this procedure, I slip the tube out with the wheel still mounted, but I do not remove the wheel, its a bit fiddly, but not as fiddly as you are experiencing IMHO! Possibly on some bikes, it may simply not be the best option to do this! Furthermore, the cassette on my previous bike, would start dropping the chain after a few years, but only while riding, and eventually I unwillingly replaced it and the problem was gone completely! Cheap fix!! It did not look worn (rear hub motor), but it must have been in some way.... If it happens say only on the higher gears, you may have the wrong tension on the chain tensioner, but "parking" in a lower gear may work as a temporary fix, as might lubing the chain.... Regards and the best of luck. Andy
July 14, 20205 yr In other words, check that the axle is all the way into the drop-out as far as it can go on both sides.
July 14, 20205 yr Author Yes, all seems ok with the wheel alignment. A friend at work had a look at the indexing. The chain coming off in 1st gear while moving the bike seems intermittent now. The gears are changing nicely that's the main thing.
July 14, 20205 yr Clean and lubricate the rear derailleur, then oil the chain. The problem is caused by friction in the derailleur that pulls it forward and takes all the tension off the bottom chain run. When everything is free-running, it stays in position and keeps the tension on the chain. Watch the derailleur while you push the bike backwards and you'll see what I mean.
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.