All tips
Bike chain skips
The chain slips under load or jumps to another sprocket.
1. Problem
When you pedal hard – especially uphill or when starting off – the chain suddenly slips, the pedals give way or the chain audibly jumps to another sprocket. This is not just annoying but dangerous: your foot can slip off the pedal.
2. Cause
- Stretched (worn) chain – it no longer sits cleanly in the teeth
- Worn cassette sprockets or chainrings (pointed, shark-fin shaped teeth)
- Gears out of adjustment – cable too slack or too tight
- Stiff chain link, bent derailleur hanger or a dry, dirty chain
3. Solution
- Measure the chain with a chain checker: replace it at about 0.5 % wear (11–12 speed) or 0.75 %
- Turn the chain slowly backwards and look for stiff links – loosen them or replace the link
- Adjust the gears: turn the barrel adjuster on the derailleur in quarter turns until every gear runs cleanly
- If it still skips with a new chain, the sprockets/chainring are worn and need replacing too
4. Workshop tip
Checking your chain saves money: if it is replaced in time (usually every 2,000–3,000 km), the expensive cassette lasts two or three chains. We measure your chain in the shop for free in a minute.
— Bike Haus Freiburg
Matching spare parts
Rather have it repaired?
Come to our workshop at Heckerstraße 27 without an appointment – small repairs are often done right away while you wait.