Chain Suck and Chain Ring Replacement

carnold

Over the last couple of weeks my bicycle with about 5,000 miles on it has
developed a serious case of chain suck when using the inner chainring. The
bike has 105 components and is a triple chainring by 9sp.

The first attempt to solve the problem was a good cleaning and oiling of the
chain, which didn't work. Next attempt was to replace the chain, and of
course this didn't work. I've since read that the fix is to replace the
chainring. Is this correct?

And a few more questions:

1. In addition to the inner chainring should the middle and outer be
replaced at the same time?

2. Will Ultegra chainrings fit the 105 crank? Will the Ultegra parts last
any longer? Are there advantages other than lightening the billfold?

3. Given that the bike has about 5,000 miles in the last year (yes I'm
averaging 100 miles a week), what else is about to need replacing or
repairing? How long do cassettes last?

Thanks for the help in advance,

C.

David L. Johnson

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:37:29 -0500, carnold wrote:

> 1. In addition to the inner chainring should the middle and outer be
> replaced at the same time?

Probably, but the smaller ones do wear more quickly. You can probably
wait on any ring that is not causing trouble.
>
> 2. Will Ultegra chainrings fit the 105 crank? Will the Ultegra parts
> last any longer? Are there advantages other than lightening the
> billfold?

I don't think it will be that different. Now, I use $5 chainrings I*get
at swap meets, so maybe my advice is suspect. I do find that with the
gearing I*use and the riding I do, I*don't get great chainring life.
But at $5, big deal.

>
> 3. Given that the bike has about 5,000 miles in the last year (yes I'm
> averaging 100 miles a week), what else is about to need replacing or
> repairing? How long do cassettes last?

Cassettes don't usually last as long as a chainring, but, then, 5000 miles
is not a long time for either. If the cassette did not skip when you
replaced the chain, you are probably all right with that.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | There is always an easy solution to every human problem - neat,
_`\(,_ | plausible, and wrong. --H.L. Mencken
(_)/ (_) |

Paul Southworth

In article <c64fkk$7rt$1@news.netins.net>, carnold <carnold@netins.net> wrote:
>Over the last couple of weeks my bicycle with about 5,000 miles on it has
>developed a serious case of chain suck when using the inner chainring. The
>bike has 105 components and is a triple chainring by 9sp.
>
>The first attempt to solve the problem was a good cleaning and oiling of the
>chain, which didn't work. Next attempt was to replace the chain, and of
>course this didn't work. I've since read that the fix is to replace the
>chainring. Is this correct?

It is one possible fix yes, and one of the easier ones to try.

>And a few more questions:
>
>1. In addition to the inner chainring should the middle and outer be
>replaced at the same time?

Not necessary.

>2. Will Ultegra chainrings fit the 105 crank?

Yes 100% interchangeable.

Aluminum granny rings are more likely to develop burrs than
the larger rings, using a stainless steel small ring can sometimes
help with intractable chain suck problems.

> Will the Ultegra parts last
>any longer? Are there advantages other than lightening the billfold?

Probably marginal if any. I have a dim recollection of Ultegra
rings being heat treated and cheaper ones not, but I'm not sure if
that's still true.

>3. Given that the bike has about 5,000 miles in the last year (yes I'm
>averaging 100 miles a week), what else is about to need replacing or
>repairing? How long do cassettes last?

That depends partly on how frequently you replace the chain. If
you are aggressive about replacing the chain, the cogs will last
longer. Exact mileage you'll get from a cassette varies a lot based
on the rider, which cogs are used the most, weather conditions,
cleanliness, etc. It is possible to wear out a 105 cassette in
5000 miles but usually you'll get a lot more than that.

--Paul

daveornee

Carnold wrote:
> Over the last couple of weeks my bicycle with about 5,000 miles on it
> has developed a serious case of chain suck when using the inner
> chainring. The bike has 105 components and is a triple chainring by 9sp.
> The first attempt to solve the problem was a good cleaning and oiling of
> the chain, which didn't work. Next attempt was to replace the chain, and
> of course this didn't work. I've since read that the fix is to replace
> the chainring. Is this correct?
> And a few more questions:
> 1. In addition to the inner chainring should the middle and outer be
> replaced at the same time?
> 2. Will Ultegra chainrings fit the 105 crank? Will the Ultegra
> parts last any longer? Are there advantages other than
> lightening the billfold?
> 3. Given that the bike has about 5,000 miles in the last year (yes I'm
> averaging 100 miles a week), what else is about to need replacing or
> repairing? How long do cassettes last?
> Thanks for the help in advance,
> C.



1. You don't need to replace the outer ring. "Chain suck is
commonly caused by bent chainring teeth, dirty chains, or,
occasionally, burrs on the teeth of new chainwheels." per
Sheldon Brown.... also at Sheldon's site is a suggestion of a
site: http://fagan.co.za/Bikes/Csuck/ Go there first before
buying anything.

2. Ultegra will fit and work fine, but so will 105 at a lower cost.
Ultegra won't last longer.

3. Too many things to cover here, but you can visit Sheldon Brown's
site and Park Tool site repair section to pick up many suggestions.
I also think that a good bicycle repair manual and your bicycle
owner's manual are good places to start.



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