I’m new to cycling. I bought Giant Contend AR 1 road. It seemed to be normal the first time I rode it but the second time the chain felt like it was loose. Excuse my ignorance on bike stuff. I really don’t know what the problem is. Or is there a problem at all? Is this normal? On the video I didn’t change gears.
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The video doesn't show much, but as you started up after slowing the chain was likely skipping, sort of. I say "sort of" because it was the sound you'd get if you had shifted the rear derailer while coasting and then started pedaling again. The chain has to be moved a bit before it can complete the shift.– Daniel R HicksApr 18, 2020 at 20:31
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I stayed on the same gear and didn’t shift. I noticed it when I was out riding yesterday. I was in the same gear And I’ll stop pedaling to take a quick break but still cruising when start pedaling again it does that and feels like it’s skipping. I’m new to biking so I don’t know if it’s a problem or just human error.– BikerspikerApr 18, 2020 at 20:43
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I noticed that when I pedal backwards my chain gets loose I think which causes that skipping thing on the video– BikerspikerApr 18, 2020 at 21:20
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4It's not at all unlikely that your derailer needs adjustment. Take it to the shop where you bought it and they should do a free tune-up. Or visit the Park Tools web site and they have excellent videos on how to maintain and adjust just about everything.– Daniel R HicksApr 18, 2020 at 21:31
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3 Answers
Judging from the sound and the video, your chain is getting stuck in the rear derailleur pulleys. Sometimes it’s loose and not engaging on the pulley, and sometimes the chain is routed over the metal bit between pulleys so that it rubs against the metal. You can also get this if your chain is way too long, but it looks tight on the bottom. If it’s way too short, you can also get this by trying to force a gear that the derailleur can’t fit, so the chain downshifts or slips off the pulley.
If there was a difference between the first time you rode it and the second time, then there's likely some kind of problem. (i.e. not normal). Viewing the video, I can't detect it from distance, but it should be a low-level issue - The most likely candidate for a new bike is the cables, new ones can bed-in over the first few rides and the indexing goes a little out of line but is easily fixed.
Issues like new cables doing this mean that having the shop do a tune up on a new bike after the purchase is a normal part of the customer experience. A good shop will offer this after a few weeks; if the bike is built well they won't actually have to do a lot, but you feel supported as a customer.
Equally if something more unusual is at play, they can detect it and put it right, a good shop would want to remedy issues like this.
When you just bought the bike and don't do a lot of your own maintenance yet, then it's just good customer service for them to take a look, and it's part of what you paid for. It's also a learning opportunity if you can ask them to show you what's up and if it's a simple thing you can fix yourself next time.
I recently had a problem with an old MTB of mine where the chain was skipping under power. I seem to have fixed it by cleaning and lubing the rear derailleur. I believe it was a bit 'sticky' so wasn't keeping the chain at the required tension.
