I have had this problem for the last few weeks where i have been losing performance from the high gears to the lower gears where i am currently stuck only being able to use gear one to bike with. When i get in higher gears the chain starts slipping.
I am guessing my older derailleur has something to do with it by not providing enough tension. I have tried cleaning it and regreasing it but to no avail. Could somebody help me with the problem?
Vintage racebike is unstable in anything but gear one
byu/qwertjik inbikewrench
by qwertjik
5 Comments
It’s hard for me to see in the photo but it looks like the chain is routed through only one of the jockey wheels on the derailleur?
How many years ago this bike had a service? – RD in horrible condition!
It just need some attention.
I see two problems:
First: the RD tensioner isn’t working, either because it’s gunked up with rust and grime or because the spring has stretched/snapped. Give it a good degrease and some light oil.
Second: the chain looks (it’s hard to see) as though it’s not going around the top pulley wheel and instead just drops off the back of the cassette straight to the lower pulley wheel.
Either or both of these problems needs fixing before you can properly ride it.
I can see it springing back so that’s probably not it, even though it was my first thought.
But if the spring is good, then I am going to guess you have installed it improperly. (Missed the notch for the B tension adjustment/equivalent.)
your derailleur cage spring tension is too low. you’ll need a new spring (or derailleur entirely, which is way less work) and good luck finding one.
hit that thing with some degreaser so you can see some part numbers and give us some pics or talk to the oldest guy at your local bike shop