As shown in the video, the chain is not meshing properly with the cassette. There are gaps between the chain and sprocket and every so often the chain will jump/crunch as it settles into the sprocket.
This is on a 2024 Marin Rift Zone XR AXS. This bike has done less than 10 km. I noticed it often didn't feel smooth when pedaling on the trail, and the shifting wasn't as good as I'd hoped.
This is most pronounced in 3rd gear, but it makes clicks and grating noises in some of the other gears too. Some seem absolutely fine (in the work stand, anyway). I've played with the microshift function in the AXS app, and it doesn't make much difference to the issue in the video, no matter how far I adjust the mech in either direction. It has helped a bit with some clicking and grating in other gears, but I can't get it working nicely across the whole cassette.
As far as I can tell, the mech is set up correctly (setup key B), according to the setup calculator in the AXS app.
Is there any chance this is user error or there's something else I should try, before I contact the vendor (BikesOnline Australia)?
Brand new T-Type GX AXS skipping
byu/make_beer_not_war inbikewrench
by make_beer_not_war
3 Comments
did you set up chain length according to calculator and is the alignment line lined up?
Did you put the chain back on but not fully seat the chain links? This happened to me on my new 12 speed 105di2 chain. I can seat the chain on my old bike by hand but had to do the pedal trick to seat the chain on my new bike. When it’s halfway seated the gap between the links is too short so as the link goes around it acts like it’s skipping. Not sure if this is what’s happening in the video but easy to check for.
To me it looks like the chain isn’t broken in yet. I say that in part because it looks like it doesn’t want to leave the cassette teeth at the end of the rotation.
It also looks like it might be trying to jump up to the lower gear, but it’s hard to tell in the video. You might need to further play around with the micro-adjust once the chain is settled in a bit more.
I’d start by simply applying some fresh chain lube to help remove the factory coating. Then go ride it for a while. Another alternative is to take the chain off and de-grease it, put it back on and re-lube it. If it’s shifting into the highest and lowest without issue that’s a good sign that everything else is OK.
I just had a similar problem with T-Type yesterday, and it was that exact same gear while everything else was fine. Maybe it’s common for the gremlins to show up in 3rd gear, for some reason?