Why Does My Bicycle Chain Slip?

If you’re enjoying a ride on a bicycle and suddenly find yourself pedaling at full speed without moving forward, your chain might be slipping off the gears. This can be frustrating and dangerous, but luckily it’s usually just a sign that something needs to be adjusted or maintained. Before you schedule an appointment with your local bike shop, try these simple fixes to see if one of them will solve your problem:

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You may need to clean or lubricate your bike chain.

There are several ways to clean and oil a bicycle chain, but the most effective method involves using a brush, solvent and lube. It’s best to choose products that are compatible with your bike’s drivetrain system.

Bicycle chains aren’t meant to be cleaned or oiled often because it can shorten their lifespan. If you need to take care of this chore, make sure that you have plenty of time on your hands and follow these steps:

Cleaning: Use degreaser spray or liquid soap to remove dirt from the chain. You may also use an old toothbrush dipped in solvent; however, be careful not to scratch any part of the chain as this may cause damage if done too vigorously or for too long a period of time.

Oiling: Apply lubricant sparingly so that it does not drip onto other parts like gears or frame where they will cause more harm than good.

Your derailleur hanger is bent or damaged.

A derailleur hanger is the metal part that holds your rear derailleur in place. If it’s bent, you’ll need to replace it with a new one, but if you accidentally bend it yourself while trying to adjust your chain length, then you may also have to replace it again. If this happens more than once (or if there are other problems with your bike), then you should definitely get an expert opinion about what needs fixing before riding again!

Your chain may be too long.

If your bicycle’s chain is too long, it may slip. The best way to keep your chain from slipping is to check it regularly and make sure that it’s adjusted correctly. If you do find a loose/slipping chain, here’s what you can do:

• If your bike has a derailleur system (the rear gears), then the first thing you should do is check the length of the wheel axle with respect to how far apart your gears are set on the derailleur itself. This will ensure that they match up properly when shifting gears so that they don’t interfere with one another or get stuck in place while riding.
• To adjust this length without measuring anything yourself, turn both pedals backward until they meet then readjust them forward until they meet again—this will give an idea of how much longer or shorter each wheel axle needs to be before being able to shift smoothly through all nine gears.
• If this still doesn’t work after several tries at shortening and lengthening each wheel axle separately (which requires removing both front wheels), try adjusting them together rather than individually; doing so could solve any problems caused by misaligned axles.
• Make sure when checking these measurements that everything else stays lined up properly too—if not then something may have slipped out of place during maintenance!

Your derailleur needs adjustment.

If you have a chain that slips, it may be due to an improperly adjusted derailleur. Use the following steps to adjust your derailleur:

• Turn the barrel adjuster on the rear wheel until it’s snug against its stop. This will prevent chain slippage at high speeds by keeping the wheel from moving too far back or forward relative to your bike’s frame and seat tube.
• Hold down your brake lever while pedaling backward slowly; if there is enough slack in both cables, this should result in smooth pedaling without any clicking noises coming from either gear shift mechanism (usually located near or on top of your handlebars). If there isn’t enough cable tension, start with step 3; if there is too much cable tension and/or you hear grinding noises as you pedal backward slowly (or when shifting gears), go straight to step 6; otherwise skip ahead two steps accordingly!

Most of the time, a slipping bike chain can be fixed with simple adjustments and maintenance.

Most of the time, a slipping bike chain can be fixed with simple adjustments and maintenance. When your bike chain slips, it can be frustrating. However, there are many simple solutions that can help fix the issue. Cleaning and lubricating your bike chain will keep it running smoothly. If you notice anything else wrong with your bike that could be causing slipping, it’s best to get professional help from a local mechanic or shop.