Fit, technique, or chain length?
03-13-20, 06:55 PM
#1
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Fit, technique, or chain length?
So just starting to get out on a newly reconfigured machine (new seat, bars, gearing, etc.) and am experiencing what I'd normally describe as chain slack when I approach 90 rpm in my normal cruising gears on the flats. As I'm turning it over, there is a very slight moment where there's nothing before kicking in again. Not sure if this is easily answerable, so any thoughts on how to start narrowing it down between fit, technique, or chain length? I have been doing some self-fitting tweaks (admittedly not quite all the way there yet), and lord knows it could well be a combination of all three. The ratio is 11/30 on a 52/38 which is a bigger range than I'm used to and perhaps the chain needs to be longer to accommodate?
Sorry for the random mix of questions, but appreciate any perspectives. May just have to lug it into the LBS and get a top notch fit.
Sorry for the random mix of questions, but appreciate any perspectives. May just have to lug it into the LBS and get a top notch fit.
03-13-20, 09:29 PM
#2
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Sounds like there is a dead spot in your pedal stroke, which could be from getting used to a different saddle height.
If the chain needed to be longer, you would already have ruined your drivetrain, & a longer chain would do nothing for your issue.
There's a slight possibility of a freehub issue.
If the chain needed to be longer, you would already have ruined your drivetrain, & a longer chain would do nothing for your issue.
There's a slight possibility of a freehub issue.
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03-13-20, 10:24 PM
#3
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Check the freehub for drag, either by taking the chain off the spinning it, or lifting the rear wheel up, spinning the cranks up, then stopping. Do the cranks still want to go around? Even so, you would be feeling slack chain unless you had a dead spot in the stroke. So where's your dead spot?
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03-14-20, 10:41 AM
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So just starting to get out on a newly reconfigured machine (new seat, bars, gearing, etc.) and am experiencing what I'd normally describe as chain slack when I approach 90 rpm in my normal cruising gears on the flats. As I'm turning it over, there is a very slight moment where there's nothing before kicking in again. Not sure if this is easily answerable, so any thoughts on how to start narrowing it down between fit, technique, or chain length? I have been doing some self-fitting tweaks (admittedly not quite all the way there yet), and lord knows it could well be a combination of all three. The ratio is 11/30 on a 52/38 which is a bigger range than I'm used to and perhaps the chain needs to be longer to accommodate?
Sorry for the random mix of questions, but appreciate any perspectives. May just have to lug it into the LBS and get a top notch fit.
Sorry for the random mix of questions, but appreciate any perspectives. May just have to lug it into the LBS and get a top notch fit.
03-15-20, 10:21 AM
#5
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Thanks for these thoughts all. Just noticed that my seat slipped back all the way somehow on the last ride w/o me noticing so going to fix that first and see where things are at. Will definitely circle back.
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03-15-20, 01:59 PM
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Good catch. That will effectively "raise" your saddle, or more correctly, increase the extension of your leg, a bit, which could cause what you are seeing. Again though, I would read the article I posted.
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03-16-20, 10:02 AM
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When I switched from a fixed gear to a road bike, I had the exact same issue. Massive dead spots. I had become accustomed to letting the flywheel effect carry my feet through the deadspots. It took a few rides to smooth out my pedal stroke. I’d verify your fit, then work on actively pedaling circles.
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