zenout

Once in a while I cross chain and of course i should not be.Id say half the time when i cross the chain the chain drops.Is it common for the chain to drop when i make this error or do i need an adjustment.Of course, the best answer is to simply not cross chain and just get better and become more aware.Thanks.

TrojanHorse

How's it dropping? Off your large ring onto your small? What drivetrain? Most drivetrains will make noise when you're cross chained.

I try not to cross chain but I periodically will go large/large for short periods (until I notice I'm doing it, ha ha) and no chains get dropped. Besides putting an unusual amount of stress on your RD from a tight chain, I think it tends to wear out your components a little faster but it shouldn't drop on you. YMMV.

Dunbar

The (cheap) FSA Vero compact crank on my old bike would drop a chain if you went from big-to-small while cross chaining. In order to avoid this I would downshift as I was approaching a hill, rather than wait until I was already climbing. If the chain is dropping just from cross chaining alone than something is wrong with your bike.

megalowmatt

I'm a shameless cross-chainer. Never had an issue with dropping the chain.

TrojanHorse

Interesting that you mention this - my Red crank would do the same thing, so I typically shifted up a few gears in the rear before down shifting. I think I just didn't have it adjusted correctly though. I put those new yaw chainrings and FD on the bike (changed frames, needed a braze on anyway) and although it may be the chain catcher, I now have zero problems shifting in front.

So yeah, you can always add a chain catcher.

shadoman

+1
What's the point of owning a 27 speed bike if you can't use all 27 speeds ?

Dunbar

My new bike is full Shimano 105 5700 and I haven't had any chain drops in 2000+ miles. You always hear how Shimano makes the best cranks for shift quality. I have a chain catcher on the new bike but I thought they were more to prevent frame damage in the event the chain drops.

TrojanHorse

I think chain catchers prevent chain drops at all, which of course has the effect of preventing frame damage. I'm not sure how yours is mounted but mine looks like there's no possible way you could dump a chain off the low end. Well worth it in the age of carbon frames IMO.

ovoleg

I cross chain all the time...who cares? My drivetrain has lasted quite a bit and still runs fine. 50/28 up all the climbs.

I generally don't cross chain like 34/11 tho...

only noobs care about cross chaining

calamarichris

Thrown or dropped chains are less a function of which brand chainrings you have, and almost entirely dependent upon your front derailleur's precise adjustment. A properly-adjusted front derailleur doubles as a mighty-fine chain catcher too.
Try turning the "L" screw on your rear derailleur in (tightening) a quarter turn and see if that fixes it. If that fixes it, but causes the chain to make a grinding noise against the front derailleur when you cross-chain, back it out (loosen) it 1/8th of a turn.
And if you're not sure which one is the "L" screw, the University of Youtube has multiple vids on "Adusting a Front Derailleur".
The best part about learning to fix & tune your bike is discovering a mechanical empathy and gaining a healthy aversion to cross-chaining in the first place.
You might make mistakes at first, but it's fun stuff to learn. Don't be afraid to experiment, to look around in Youtube and to ask in here.
Let us know how it works out.

ovoleg

dude just tell me the answer, i dont want to research...

calamarichris

The answer...? What was the question?
Why you shouldn't cross-chain? But you claim that only noobs care about that.

zenout

Whats a noob?

Angio Graham

I just googled "cross chaining" and apparently I have been doing it my whole life.

No problems yet.