TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem
Gear shifts not working
properly
Slipping chain
Chain jumping off
freewheel sprocket or
chain ring
Constant clicking
noises
when pedalling
Grinding noise when
pedalling
Freewheel does not
rotate
Brakes not working
effectively
Possible Cause
• Derailleur cables sticking/stretched/
damaged
• Front or rear derailleur not adjusted
properly
• Indexed shifting not adjusted properly
• Excessively worn/chipped chain ring or
freewheel sprocket teeth
• Chain worn. stretched
• Stiff link in chain
• Non-compatible chain/chain ring/
freewheel
• Chain ring out of true
• Chain ring loose
• Chain ring teeth bent or broken
• Rear or front derailleur side-to-side
• Travel out of adjustment
• Stiff chain link
• Loose pedal axle/bearings
• Loose bottom bracket axle/bearings
• Bent bottom bracket or pedal axle
• Loose crank set
• Pedal bearings too tight
• Bottom bracket bearings too tight
• Chain fouling derailleurs
• Derailleur jockey wheels dirt/binding
• Freewheel internal pawl pins are
jammed
• Brake blocks worn down
• Brake blocks/rim greasy, wet or dirty
• Brake cables are binding/stretched/
damaged
• Brakes levers are binding
• Brakes out of adjustment
• Lubricate/tighten/replace cables
• Adjust derailleurs
• Adjust indexing
• Replace chain ring, sprockets and chain
• Replace chain
• Lubricate or replace link
• Seek advice at a bicycle shop
• Re-true if possible, or replace
• Tighten mounting bolts
• Repair or replace chain ring/set
• Adjust derailleur travel
• Lubricate chain/Adjust chain link
• Adjust bearings/axle nut
• Adjust bottom bracket
• Replace bottom bracket axle or pedals
• Tighten crank bolts
• Adjust bearings
• Adjust bearings
• Adjust chain line
• Clean and lubricate jockey wheels
• Lubricate. If problem persists, replace
freewheel
• Replace brake blocks
• Clean blocks an rim
• Clean/adjust/replace cables
• Adjust brake levers
• Centre brakes
62
Possible solution