Why Does My Mountain Bike Chain Slip

A lot of people are asking the question of “why does my mountain bike chain slip” and there is a good reason why. It is a common problem that many riders experience when they are out on their bikes.

The answer to this question is that the chain needs to be lubricated in order to work properly. This can be done by using a lubricant such as WD-40 or any other lube that you may have at home. The lubricant needs to be applied on the chain and then wiped off with a cloth, before it dries out. This will prevent the chain from slipping and also keep it clean which will make it last much longer than if you didn’t use any lube at all.

Why does my bike chain slip when I pedal hard?

The most common reason for the chain slipping is that the cable is stretched, then the solution is to tighten the shift cable. If the problem is that the chain is too long they will need to shorten the bike chain. If there is any damage to the sprocket, derailleur, chain, or cable you will need to replace it.^[1]

What causes chain to slip?

Most of the time, a skipping chain is caused by cable stretch. In the first half dozen rides on a new bike, your shift cables stretch the most. They can also stretch over time as you ride.^[2]

Why does my mountain bike chain click when I’m riding it?

A clicking noise often comes from your chain wanting to jump up or down a gear on the rear cassette. This can typically be fixed by adjusting the tension of the cable that runs from your shifter to your rear derailleur.^[3]

How tight should a bike chain be?

It should be tight enough that it only allows you to move it up and down about one inch. If it is sagging or much looser than that, you need to tighten that chain up.^[4]

How do you fix a mountain bike chain that skips?

Without enough cable tension to properly regulate your derailleur (the part of your bike that shifts the chain from one sprocket to the next), your chain will begin to skip. The most typical recommendation for fixing a skipping chain is to add tension to the rear derailleur.^[5]

Can wd40 be used on bike chains?

WD-40 is a great bike chain lube water based lubricant and will not only lubricate the chain well, but will also keep it rust and corrosion free.^[6]

How long should a bike chain last?

Most mechanics agree that you should replace your chain about every 2,000 to 3,000 miles, depending on your riding style.^[7]

Why is my bike chain popping?

If it is popping OFF, theres a multitude of things that could be causing it, but the most common is a bent cog spike (the little teeth on the gear.) The latter can be a LITTLE expensive, but much cheaper than buying a new bike. Either way, one should always practice proper chain maintenance.^[8]

What is chain slip?

Most of the time, skipping or slipping bike chain can be caused by a very stretched chain or worn cogs teeth, after a long riding and hard use, the chain will get stretched, and start causing damage for both cassette and chainrings teeth, at a certain point the chain will lose its good mechanical contact causing the …^[9]

Why does my bike make a clunking sound when I pedal?

Wheel Noises Only When Pedaling Noises once-per-wheel-revolution that only occur when you are pedaling are most often related to the freewheel or Freehub. The freewheel or Freehub bearings may be loose, or the cassette may be loose on the Freehub body. See if you can wiggle the sprockets back and forth.^[10]

How often should I lube my bike chain?

If you are a frequent rider, using your bike several times throughout the week, your bicycle will benefit from a regular cleaning and lubrication of the drive chain. Bicycle Tutor recommends cleaning and lubricating your bike’s drive chain at least once every month to maintain optimal performance and protection.^[11]

Is my bike supposed to make a clicking noise?

What is this? A clicking noise is the most common sound your bike can make. It can be due to the rider pedaling fast, and the chain wants to jump up and down the rear cassette to accommodate the demands of the pedal. To identify the sound, you can slow down from pedaling and observe whether you still hear a sound.^[12]