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9. TABLE OF PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
PROBLEMS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
SOLUTIONS
Gear shifts not working
properly.
1. Derailleur cables sticking/stretched/
damaged.
2. Front or rear derailleur not adjusted
properly.
3. Indexed shifting not adjusted
properly
1. Lubricate/tighten/replace cables.
2. Adjust derailleurs.
3. Adjust indexing.
Slipping chain.
1. Excessively worn/chipped chain ring
or freewheel sprocket teeth.
2. Chain worn stretched.
3. Stiff link in chain.
4. Non-compatible chain/chain ring/
freewheel.
1. Replace chain ring, sprockets and
chain.
2. Replace chain.
3. Lubricate or replace link.
4. Seek advice at a bicycle shop
Chain jumping off
freewheel
sprocket or chain ring.
1. Chain ring out of true.
2. Chain ring loose.
3. Chain ring teeth bent or broken.
4. Rear or front derailleur side-to-side
travel out of adjustment.
1. Re-true if possible, or replace.
2. Tighten mounting bolts.
3. Repair or replace chain ring/set.
4. Adjust derailleur travel.
Constant clicking noises
when pedaling.
1. Stiff chain link.
2. Loose pedal axle/bearings.
3. Loose bottom bracket
axle/bearings.
4. Bent bottom bracket or pedal axle.
5. Loose crank set.
1. Lubricate chain/Adjust chain link.
2. Adjust bearings/axle nut.
3. Adjust bottom bracket.
4. Replace bottom bracket axle or
pedals.
5. Tighten crank bolts
Grinding noise when
pedaling.
1. Pedal bearings too tight.
2. Bottom bracket bearings too tight.
3. Chain fouling derailleurs.
4. Derailleur jockey wheels
dirt/binding.
1. Adjust bearings.
2. Adjust bearings.
3. Adjust chain line.
4. Clean and lubricate jockey wheels.
Freewheel does not rotate. 1. Freewheel internal pawl pins are
jammed.
1. Lubricate. If problem persists,
replace
freewheel.
Brakes not working
effectively.
1. Brake blocks worn down.
2. Brake blocks/rim greasy, wet or
dirty.
3. Brake cables are binding/stretched/
damaged.
4. Brakes levers are binding.
5. Brakes out of adjustment.
1. Replace brake blocks.
2. Clean blocks and rim.
3. Clean/adjust/replace cables.
4. Adjust brake levers.
5. Center brakes.
When applying the brakes
they squeal/squeak.
1. Brake blocks worn down.
2. Brake block toe-in incorrect.
3. Brake blocks/rim dirty or wet.
4. Brake arms loose.
1. Replace blocks.
2. Correct block toe-in.
3. Clean blocks and ri m.
4. Tighten mounting bolts.
Knocking or shuddering
when applying brakes.
1. Bulge in the rim or rim out of true.
2. Brake mounting bolts loose.
3. Brakes out of adjustment.
4. Fork loose in head tube.
1. True wheel or take to a bike shop
for repair.
2. Tighten bolts.
3. Center brakes and/or adjust brake
block toe-in.
4. Tighten headset.
