Bike chain slipping in only one gear

[GuitarStv]

Now that it has been properly adjusted you probably only need to mess with that barrel adjuster the next time it starts slipping between gears.  You will only need to turn it a click or two in one direction or the other to fix the problem usually.

Re: replacing the chain . . . take a long hard look at how it goes through the derailleur before you take off your old one!  It can be kinda confusing the first time you do it.  Also, you see that little metal tab that sticks out near the lower pulley?  Make sure the chain goes UNDER that.

Congrats on getting it fixed.  I guess it wasn't "slipping" after all.

Apology accepted.  :P

[Le Barbu]

If you can mix slipping and skipping, good luck for changing that chain yourself, looks like another great thread is coming soon...

May the bike snobs and frugal snobs be ready for a second round!

[skyrefuge]

Wonder no more! The lady at the bike shop said the cassette (yes, the controversial Shimano Altus) was fine and would run indefinitely if I keep my chain replaced. As a courtesy, she adjusted all my cables real quick and that solved the problem. Took her like thirty seconds.

Cool. Glad you got a resolution, but far more important than that, that you reported back and gave us a resolution! ;-)

If you can mix slipping and skipping, good luck for changing that chain yourself, looks like another great thread is coming soon...

Oh, c'mon, don't be blaming the patient for your (and jamal utah's) poor skill in interpreting that patient's symptoms and history. Y'all would have been doing open-heart surgery after a patient came in and complained of 'heartburn', even after all the other doctors pointed out that none of the other facts pointed to a heart attack and were suggesting a simple antacid to solve the problem.

Re: replacing the chain . . . take a long hard look at how it goes through the derailleur before you take off your old one!  It can be kinda confusing the first time you do it.  Also, you see that little metal tab that sticks out near the lower pulley?  Make sure the chain goes UNDER that.

Ha, yeah, no joke. A chain-replacement should be fully within frugalparagon's abilities, but even I, the great skyrefuge (have you heard how much biking/maintenance experience I have?!), have finished linking a chain back up only to go "Ah, shit. Ran it on the wrong side of the tab!!"

[FreeWheel]

When the cable is out of adjustment the chain is trying to shift to the next gear but can't quite make it. It "feels" (and sounds) like slipping or skipping. This is why I said improper adjustment is the most common cause, and the first thing to check. It's free!

If you look directly behind the cassette, you should be able to see the chain and derailleur wheels in perfect vertical line with which ever gear it is in. When the cable is out of adjustment it will be slightly out of line, one way or the other.

While not absolutely necessary, the easiest way to check is in a stand, or with the rear wheel off the ground. That way you can go through all the gears several times, and make adjustments as you go. When everything is right there will be no funny noises or delay... just crisp, quick shifts between gears. Even with an Altus with over 20,000 miles on it like the one I have!