[mcck]

I am a beginning rider who is fortunate enough to have a VT2. I really love the bike other than the tires as many others have mentioned. However, the biggest problem I have had lately is chain suck...especially in the smallest chain ring. I know many of you will say I should just avoid the "granny gear" but sometimes it is just necessary. What adjustments need to be made to avoid chain suck? I know there is technique involved as well so I am open to those suggestions as well.

Thanks for helping the new guy.

 

[johnnyb]

I get that too

I am a beginning rider who is fortunate enough to have a VT2. I really love the bike other than the tires as many others have mentioned. However, the biggest problem I have had lately is chain suck...especially in the smallest chain ring. I know many of you will say I should just avoid the "granny gear" but sometimes it is just necessary. What adjustments need to be made to avoid chain suck? I know there is technique involved as well so I am open to those suggestions as well.

Thanks for helping the new guy.

I get chain suck when I'm climbing in the little ring/next-to-big gear (two gears before the last). I think this happens when the chain gets dirty. When I look down I can see the chain "sticking" to the little ring and then popping up in between the chainstay. The chain feels pretty slack in this combo and I think I'm going to shorten the chain by a link or two.

What I've been doing in the meantime is sticking to the middlering as much as I can and only drop into "granny" on the really steep stuff.

 

[Pher16]

Chain guide

Get an E-13 DRS chainguide. I have one on my VT1, and you should never see chain suck, or lose a chain again.

 

[John]

If it's common to al VT frames, perhaps it's a chainline design issue. In which case, getting an adjustable bottom bracket can help. Are all of the components the same brand. Shimano chain, cassette, and crank rings? Mismatching can cause problems.
I have Shimano XT Cassettes, Race Face cranks and rings, and SRAM PC99 chains on all 3 of my bikes. I have never experienced chain suck. Ever. Plus I always wipe the chain, lube, wipe, and lube again after every ride. I don't just toss the bike on the stand and leave it till next time. Chains corrode. Except maybe that Connex Stainless chain I have seen ($50). But I would still maintain it anyway. Make sure you have NO bent teeth on you crank arm rings. Even a small amount can grab a chain.

 

[ewarnerusa]

I'm a beginner, too. I had recently started getting chain suck, and found a burr on the side of a tooth on the granny gear that was causing it. Filed it down, and no more sucking. Clean everything up really good as see if maybe this is happening with your granny ring.

 

[Dirtman]

Chain Suck

I experienced this a couple of times within the firstr 3 mos of riding my new VT - When I took it to my Mechanic bud, he suggested that a link or two be taken out. It had seemed slack. From that point on no-more chain-suck! Whew, b/c that that really chews up the frame at the BB level. Give it a try.

 

[lamrith]

I get it on my VT also, what is wierd is that it does not come up and jam against tha chainstay like my hardtail, just just sticks to the chainring and lets go very late, it is strange, I can keep pedalling but it soulds wird so I usually backpedal ASAP to clear it..

 

[DiRt DeViL]

Try cutting a link or two, sounds that the chain is a bit long.

I've never had chainsuck on my VT, probably the main difference is that I built around the frame and maybe you bought the whole bike at the LBS.

Try adjusting the chain lenght, clean the chain, cassette and rings and give it a try.

My .02

 

[lamrith]

Yeah I did that on my HT and it worked great. I will be doing that here shortly.

Anyone know what size Lizard skin to use to a VT3?? I need to save that chainstay, it get hammered pretty hard whenI am riding hard..

 

[VT no 1 2 or 3]

The lizard skin for oversized aluminum will work- you will have to stretch the life out of it, but there is enough stretch to fit around the chain stay.

 

[Hud]

Instead of buying a lizard skin just cut up and old tube to size, stretch it over the chainstay and ziptie it into place. Works very well.