I’ve had this bike for around 7 months I use it to commute to work daily around 20 miles total but over the last few days I’ve noticed the chain keeps slipping when I’m pedalling I’m hoping it’s a cheap free fix as I can’t afford to pay for any work doing until the end of the month? Is there anything I can do? I notice it needs some oil I will be putting it on tomorrow morning as I don’t have any on me 🤦🏻
by ItxTrickxy
4 Comments
You have a well-worn cassette that needs replacement. At the same time, you’ll want to replace the chain so that it wears with the new cassette.
A tip for the future: keep your drivetrain clean. The black stuff is grit that accelerates wear by grinding down the metal-to-metal contact areas. When you get your new components, use a good-quality chain wax, and that should make it easier to keep clean as it’ll pick up less grit in the first place.
It’s hard to tell from the photos, but it looks like your cassette—and possibly your chain—might be worn. If you’re riding 20 miles a day, 5 days a week, for 7 months, that’s about 2,800 miles. It’s probably time for a new drivetrain. If I’m right, unfortunately, it won’t be very cheap.
1. It’s filthy, and could need only to be cleaned. (Chain, cassette, and derailleurs – dawn dish soap and water and a clean rag. Apply until you stop getting black grease on your rag… it will take a while)
2. Cables shift over time. You may just need to do a rear derailleur adjustment. A set of allen keys, a Park Tool youtube video, and some sort of stand are what you need for that.
3. Your chain could be stretched from normal use and need replacing. The tool to check chain wear is like $15 bucks and if you don’t want to buy it, your local bike shop with check your chain wear for free, assuming you buy a new chain from them if it’s stretched out. A new 6-7 speed chain is also pretty cheap.
Start with a kleen up.