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Chain losing tension

Old 07-19-19, 04:53 AM
  #1  
smikeybikey
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Chain losing tension

Hi guys-after a recent overhaul my chain looses tension when I stop pedalling or back pedal.Any ideas?I know its a question thats been asked many times but I thought it might do with some fresh input.Thanks
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Old 07-19-19, 05:29 AM
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CliffordK
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A few thoughts.

I frequently experience a loss of tension when cross chained. It is much less common if I keep the right most rear sprockets with the large front ring, and left most rear sprockets with the small front ring. I'm not sure if there is an adjustment, but it is good to avoid.

Double check neither derailleur is rubbing, and the rear derailleur is indexed properly (shifting well both directions, and hitting the middle of the rear sprockets).

Tight freehub (cassette) or freewheel. Did you take the hub apart? I realize that will be a little subjective, unless it is really bad. You might be able to diagnose swapping known good parts.
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Old 07-19-19, 06:04 AM
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Im betting its the freehub not spinning freely. - Spin the wheel off the ground and it will pull the crank. It shouldn't do that.
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Old 07-19-19, 06:49 AM
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Could also be a rear derailleur issue
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Old 07-19-19, 07:46 AM
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55murray
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Make sure you got the chain routed correctly through the rear derailleur... one of those old post-overhaul errors...

Last edited by 55murray; 07-19-19 at 02:18 PM.
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Old 07-19-19, 10:46 AM
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Iride01 
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What did you overhaul? But I agree with others you should check the freehub or freewheel or the chain routing through the DR cage.
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Old 07-19-19, 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by smikeybikey
Any ideas?I know its a question thats been asked many times but I thought it might do with some fresh input.
What explanations were given before?
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Old 07-19-19, 02:08 PM
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ted_major
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A friend had this issue recently. Turned out to be as simple as ta broken plastic spoke protector (aka ‘dork disk’) which had broken and was causing enough friction between the spokes and cassette to make the chain go slack when he coasted.
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Old 07-20-19, 08:19 AM
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smikeybikey
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Thanks guys I can always trust this forum to cover all the bases.I actually swapped the freewheel so that must be the root of the trouble
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Old 07-20-19, 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by smikeybikey
Thanks guys I can always trust this forum to cover all the bases.I actually swapped the freewheel so that must be the root of the trouble
The pivot on the derailleur is also pretty easy to get contaminated. They are usually diassembleable and can be cleaned and regreased but I've seen more than a few that were too far gone.
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Old 07-31-19, 08:30 AM
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smikeybikey
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Is there any adjustment that can be made to the pivot on a derailleur?
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Old 07-31-19, 06:10 PM
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Put some oil in the chain. Then in the sprocket and if you still have issues look for the derailleour.
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