jzsoup

I'm trying to help a buddy on this one. He has an older 29er hardtail. He’s a big guy (250ish) and puts a bunch of road miles on every year. He has a new chain, newer cassette, & rear derail looks good. When he goes uphill the chain pops around a little on the cassette. When not under load it’s smooth & shifts beautifully.

Any thoughts? I’m out of ideas here. Thanks crew!

alcjphil

"newer cassette"? How new? A very worn chain not replaced soon enough will render any cassette useless

rayooo

whenever I've replaced a chain.... too late.... I've had this issue, causing me to have to replace the cassette.

This has happened twice with two different bikes. Not that cassettes are all that crazy expensive, but, just more work.

Since I've begun to replace chains earlier than later, I can install a new chain and not have to replace the cassette at the same time.

TakingMyTime

Frame flex?

jzsoup

I just asked him. I thought newer but apparently that really means he estimates he’s got about 4,000 miles on it. So I think that’ll be the next move.

Wilfred Laurier

The symptoms you describe are almost always a result of putting a new chain on a worn cassette.