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I'm doing up an old bike and put a new chain on today. It's a 1x11 setup which has had a reasonable amount of use. I remember when I last rode the bike about 5 years ago that I was thinking I should probably get a new chain or get the drive train checked for wear.
After fitting the new chain I'm hearing a rattly noise from the front ring (I think) then under heavy load, when climbing, the chain is slipping on the cassette. The chain is compatible with XT but I can't remember what cassette I have although the shifters are XT.
Could it be a compatibility issue or are the chain rings simply worn out?
I don't remember putting loads of miles on the bike but I have been told by a bike shop that my other 1 x 11 bike is quite worn and I don't feel like I've been far on that either. Maybe 1 x 11 just wears out quick?
If you’re getting noise from the front it’s either the narrow/wide isn’t located correctly or it’s very worn. Can you pull the chain away from the chainring significantly?
To check whether your cassette is worn (assuming the gears are adjusted correctly) put it in the smallest cog and pressure on the pedals, if it slips then your cassette is worn.
If it’s Shimano then the smallest three rings are available separately from dealers to save replacing the whole cassette.
I have found that XT chains and Deore 11 speed cassettes are exceeding my expectations in the gritty Peak District, the chain has a wipe with a rag and a drip of oil (White Lightning wet) on each roller, that’s all!
Hope this helps.
Post photos of your chainring and cassette
It was definitely seated in the narrow wide chainring properly and it was slipping on the biggest cassette ring. I'll try it on the smaller rings next time. I hadn't looked after the drive train very well as it took me the best part of a day to clean it up and get everything moving. The bike had been somewhat abandoned after an injury! Thanks.
Putting a new chain on an old cassette and chainring is a recipe for horrible noises and skipping. You either need to keep a regular eye on chain condition with one of them indicator tools and change based on it's reading, or let it all wear out together and change the lot.
If you can revive the old chain, put that back on, I bet it runs without jumping.
I can attest.
9x cassette (old but "looked" ok)
10x chain (ordered accidentally instead of 9x but works fine)
38t new front ring.
Had 2 or 3 gears skip under load. Fitted another (old) cassette which was less worn. Perfect now.
Good idea I hadn't thought of that. I could probably piece it together with a few quick links.