On a ride with a buddy right beside me, I once shifted the front derailleur and the chain fell off the outside of the big chainring. My friend could barely call a warning before I had shifted the chain right back into place.
He was amazed. He’d never seen this trick even though he’s an experienced rider. He is one of many who would have stopped to put the chain back on by hand, wasting time and getting greasy. Some of our readers might not know about it yet either.
The next time your chain goes over the big ring or falls off the small one and onto the frame, keep pedaling. Gently! Shift the front derailleur in the appropriate direction. The chain is very likely to catch the teeth and climb right back on.
Do not force it and jam or bend something. If the chain won’t catch, then you’ll have to stop. Look for a twig or the like to lift the chain so you won’t get too greasy.
Of course, this trick is no substitute for a properly adjusted front derailleur! If your chain is coming off more often than Peter Sagan goes for the sprint, get your bike checked.
I’ve telling riders of this trick for many years and they are always surprised how well it works. I also tell them not to panic, most do anyway. I saved a few riders with this trick while climbing and they barely loose any time or energy. The best way to keep the chain from dropping is to make sure your small ring limit screw is adjusted correctly and try not to shift under load or shifting both front and rear derailleurs at the same time. Shifting under heavy tension can easily cause your chain to snap, you can tell it broke under load by the distinctive twisted link.
I notice that not many experienced riders today seems to show new riders the importance of smooth shifting. It seems all etiquette and proper technique is becoming a thing of the past. I see a lot of newcomers with bad habits like shifting under load, extreme cross-chaining and wearing back socks on a road bike. I think part of it is the MAMIL surge into cycling then not learning and becoming proficient in the basics. Learning takes time but cycling is a patient sport and the time and effort pays off in the long run, better form, less wasted energy and smooth riding is good for not only you but the whole pack.
“a lot of newcomers with bad habits like…wearing back socks on a road bike” . . . what does this mean?
I think he mean “black socks”, a seemingly little known faux pas these days…
I also learned this trick roughly 40 years ago from another guy and it works great most of the time. I don’t think the younger generation of riders know about this trick, it seems to be an old timer thing?
Install a “dog fang”. They work great.
I have used this method for decades. Usually works eaisily….every once in awhile it doesn’t.
If you want to see a piece of your carbon frame sawed-off, this trick is your best friend.
the advice should probably read for metal frames, particularly the small chain ring drop… and get the plastic keeper to keep the chain on the small(est) ring.
Gently is the key word. On rare occasions, the chain can jam someplace (like between the big ring and the crank arm) and then there is no way you can pedal it back on, but you can really jam things up by trying to push through the situation.
I think longer black socks are warmer in winter!
gracehowler