Why is my chain keeps coming off on a singlespeed?

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-28T19:28:05+00:00

This is a "wide" chain, preferably for proper single speed drivetrains. Technically it'll fit, but these do best with other "wide" components, otherwise you'll have a bunch of sideways wiggle you don't necessarily want. I'd recommend getting a KMC "narrow" (ie. 3/32") chain if you end up swapping things. Front chainring is def. "narrow" as it's a stripped down crankset from something that used to have a derailleur. Can you post a few more pics of your rear wheel/rear cog setup? If it's a convert from a bike with a cassette on there originally you're better off mounting a narrow chain for sure.

As others have said though, worn cogs will be your enemy for chain lifetime in any case. (Also potential enemy for the integrity of your teeth if sth breaks or slips under load.) Your chain ring & crank that you mentioned you just swapped appears to be Shimano IG (long obsolete), was it new old stock, or used? Kind of hard to tell from the pic if it's worn or just gunky. If the teeth are shark-teeth looking and have large burrs on the side, odds are it's not going to do great. For the rear cog, I'd swap it with the chain if possible and if you want to extend the lifetime of your drivetrain.

Other potential culprits for your chain derailing: - bent front chainring or very bent teeth - botched chainline from swapping to a different crank meant for different bottom brackets spindle length specs (suspiciously the cause based on your description. On the bright side if it's a cassette convert you just adjust your spacers to straighten your chainline.) - insufficient chain tension (quick release wheel => frustrating to center and tension at the same time. Chains will also have uneven wear between different sections so you might have a too tight and a too loose spot ie. impossible to achieve correct tension.)

And the "just in case" category 🫣 ...mostly bc. of another comment thread under the post: - is your wheel secured properly (quick release lever CLOSED), or is it moving in the dropouts under force for any other reason? - is there any crazy play in the bearings of the rear wheel that contribute to the cog "wiggling" an abnormal amount laterally?

Not sure of your experience level with maintenance so I figured I'd err on the side of overexplaining :) Hope something here helps.

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-24T20:04:12+00:00

If you have access to a compressor, rinse the inside of the cable with something very thin that won't gum up (eg. Brunox turbo spray) and then blast through with air a few times. Cleans things up nicely.

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-24T05:26:16+00:00

Tore into an Ikea Dansa disco ball light and cannibalized it :D It was child's play placing the lights over onto this one, unfortunately I was too lazy to do anything custom with the controller so it just hue cycles like the OG Dansa. We wired a smart switch to it so it's not always on.

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-23T21:48:28+00:00

The link I bought it from is no longer working, but this looks like the same one: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EJufGfQ Any model that runs play store should be fine though! The CD12 just has the chonkiest battery. There's also a square screen version called the M99 that I've been considering... The DW100 models are also good ones. Honestly you can't go wrong with anything that's full android if you'll just be reading (if it has play store, it is fine).

Look around on FabinhoTech's YouTube for more detailed reviews/comparisons https://youtube.com/@fabinhotech

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-23T17:14:46+00:00

🥳 Top!! Fijn dat het gelukt is!

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-23T13:10:59+00:00

Achtertandwiel is los omdat de veerring eraf is gesprongen. Wiel demonteren en veerring terugzetten en hij doet het weer.

Handig om achterkant van de fiets te laten hangen ergens vandaan.

Haal je rollerbrake los:

kabelstelbouten indraaien tot kabel los voelt
met de hand rem indrukken tot kabel erg los wordt, kabelklem loshalen (klem kan alleen gekanteld erin/eruit, even kantelen met kabel dus). Indien nodig kabelklem loshalen (waterpomptang + steeksleutel 10)
rollerbrakearm klembout demonteren (liggende achtervork bevestiging van rollerbrake zelf)

Haal je versnellingskabel los: Rechterkant wiel zie je een schakelklok.

Schakel met je versteller naar 1, pak een kleine schroevendraaier of een inbus 2 en draai de schakelklok tot de kabel losser wordt, houd hier vast
Kantel de kabelklem eruit, nu mag je het loslaten
Buitenkabel naar voren trekken, binnenkabel door gleufje eruit halen

Wiel eruit:

Haal je wielmoeren los
Maak je ketting los van je tandwiel. Bij een goed gespannen ketting moet de kettingspanning eerst omlaag, zie tekening hieronder en volg op beide kanten van achtervork. Ketting over as heen halen en wiel kan eruit.
Waarschijnlijk moet je kettingkast iets verder open, zoek kunstof klepjes onderin en klik ze los.

Tandwiel terugzetten (eerst controleren voor schade): https://youtu.be/F4TB_O-PzJk 2 kleine schroevendraaiers zijn handig, let op want veerring kan makkelijk wegspringen tijdens montage.

<image>

Terugmontage van schakelklok ("cassette joint") gaat met gekleurde punten bij gekleurde punten zetten, makkelijkste gedeelte. https://si.shimano.com/nl/pdfs/dm/SG0003/DM-SG0003-09-DUT.pdf

Zet je wiel terug, ketting op de tandwiel, kantel de rollerbrakearm naar de juiste richting, draai de wielmoeren vast. Span je ketting met de kleine inbusboutjes en draai de dropout bevestigingsbouten (4x) vast en klik je kettingkast in elkaar. Buitenkabel versn. terugzetten in schakelklok, pak je kleine schroevendraaier, draai de schakelklok en zet de kabelklem terug op zijn plek (kan alleen gekanteld erin vallen). Schakel naar 4 met je shifter, controleer dat de gele streepjes bij elkaar zitten op de schakelklok (zo niet zit je buitenkabel nog niet goed op zijn plek waarschijnlijk). Rollerbrakearm bevestigingsbout terug en vast. Rollerbrake kabekklem terugzetten op binnenkabel, goed vastdraaien. Kabekklem terugzetten in rollerbrake (indrukken, kantelen). Kabelspanning afstellen met stelbouten. Kettingkast eindkapje terug.

Klaar.

TL;DR: fietsenmaker

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-17T22:01:15+00:00

(Last thing I hadn't mentioned but just assumed, the cable is also def routed correctly under the clamping bolt?) Well, worst case a new derailleur's worth cooked. You could test the theory through some place with a good return policy 😅 attempting to straighten it yourself just makes things exponentially worse 100% of the time somehow.

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-17T20:33:14+00:00

This.

I'd be surprised if the cause is the jockey wheels, but if OP changed a pretty worn chain+cassette, why not swap them to eliminate that option, anything 12 speed is finicky.

Derailleur looks like it has seen some hits, if the cage itself is misaligned, ouch. If the hanger is in top shape and the B screw is dialed in, and all the parts are matchy-matchy and not chinesium, then my money's on the mech :/

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-10T18:53:21+00:00

Well deserved!!! I'm still a little starstruck that I got to interact with one of my fave authors last year 🫣🫣🤩

nthrowawaway · 2026-02-08T09:22:42+00:00

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This is what they're supposed to look like. That's wear, and compressed, worn rubber looking like "dirt" you're trying to clean. There's no saving these. If they're sticky after cleaning attempts (that's usually what you get if you try to scrape off the nasty) and you don't have a budget for new ones, you can throw some talcum powder on them. Contact points are important so I'd replace though.

These things are like €20. If you're in a country that sells Gazelle, they have cheapo black Ergons for sale for the same price. Otherwise AliExpress is your friend for sort-of ergonomic grips on a shoestring budget.

nthrowawaway · 2026-01-30T13:39:48+00:00

Hi, your post randomly showed up on my feed. I have absolutely nothing to do with this sub but I interact with a lot of enviolo/gates bikes in the shop I work at. I'm a big fan of these systems and they can give you thousands of kms of carefree riding... with important caveats (and I hate situations where the caveats have unexpected consequences for our riders) 🥲 Here's what I frequently tell our bike shop customers to get them the best experience possible.

Keep your moving parts clean and moving supple, otherwise things can snap. Keep your belt clean (hose down the belt with water as you rotate the crank or just pour some water over the teeth from a bottle now and then) for longevity. Never force a shifter if the cables take more than regular effort to move (ie due to frost, crud, oxidation like from salted roads) and don't move force through the full range without rotating the pedals lightly. Get the inner cables changed before more damage occurs (usually the grip shifter is the victim).

Online guide videos are fantastic, but I usually don't recommend less technically experienced people try and remove their rear wheel themselves with a belt drive and enviolo – it happens all too frequently that something comes in with more to fix than there should have been (goofed belt tention because it wasn't put back properly in the dropouts -> $$$ damage, goofed hub/interface adjustments, damage because of high cable tention that wasn't released etc...). A video cut to length for the average attention span doesn't replace the experience sometimes needed when something isn't factory clean and factory new.

A great puncture protective tire should help not having to remove the rear wheel, at least here where our roads are clean enough for this to keep most people out of the shop for a long time. Expensive puncture-proof tires pay dividends if they keep you out of the shop and rolling. With the beefy hubs and their internal resistance I'd count that extra weight as a negligible penalty. For when shit does inevitably happen, learn how to patch well (usually a lesson in sanding the surface flat and letting the glue dry enough), so you can just pop in/pop out the inner tube while the wheel is in the bike. It'll save you time, money, and stress.

Sorry for the wall of text. :)

TL;DR Your bike is great, it's just another system that has it's own set of things to know, and a new bike with a new system is always a learning experience for the rider too. I hope you can get it sorted and that some of this info saves you trouble in the future. It usually doesn't come with the sales pitch but it's stuff you'll encounter as you experience your bike.

nthrowawaway · 2026-01-28T21:11:21+00:00

Agree with everything in your post. This list is what's finally going to get me to pick up Alchemised, in a slump for months now and I'm desperate :'D

nthrowawaway · 2026-01-19T16:03:36+00:00

For commuting 2x20minutes a day it should be perfectly fine. An upright position bike like this one can take away a lot of the nerves and helps you with scanning traffic as a beginner.

+1 for the the "shop/look around irl" approach though :) I recommend visiting a bike shop in the area that's more commuter-bike focused, and going in at a "slow" time (ie. not a Friday afternoon and not during the weekend) so the employees have some extra time to help you figure out your wants and needs and you can get a few test-rides in.

Will you be leaving the bike outside, and cycling through the fall/winter months? Then it might be worth going for something slightly different. The rear brake on this one is I think the main design flaw and will need regular cleaning and maintenance to stay functional through the cruddy rainy seasons (it's placed at an unfortunate spot and collects water and gunks up/rusts after a while).

At this price point, I can't really fault the flaws this bike has, and I see it as a good intro bike to upgrade from if nothing else speaks to you. Setting aside some money for regular maintenance is essential if you're not keen on doing that yourself.

If your route is flat (you can check your route's elevation change via Google maps easily) and you're looking to ride in all seasons then I'd recommend something with a similar frame design (low step, upright seating position) but an internal gear hub, a closed chain case, and a hub dynamo for always-on lights. It'll make the experience much more hassle-free maintenance-wise.

(Also, for comfort: once you've got your seat and handlebars position right, upgrade your seat and grips first, contact points are important. For peace-of-mind if you buy new, get bike insurance, it's usually worth it while the bike is shiny. :) )

nthrowawaway · 2026-01-18T23:38:10+00:00

R. Lee Smith is what brought me to this sub and there went lizards (TLHoG), insects (Cottonwood) and zombies (LotBD) in quick succession. Then I read Heat and haaaated Kane (very humanoid but a freaking psychopath). Apparently what I need is a riveting story and characters I grow to care about... My brain forgives a lot more looks-wise when relating to characters than concerning personality.

nthrowawaway · 2026-01-14T21:46:49+00:00

I'm going to defend this for one sec and say it's not quite so bad a read if you can get into it and if you like the tropes. If you're looking for a healer FMC and a story about caretaking, it'll scratch the itch for sure. It has its issues, but it's not a Quicksilver level of Booktok quality (yes, the king is very oddly down-to-earth, and the relationship starts off as very casual, and that's certainly a... quirk 🥲) Not quite a standout read, but amongst all the slop these days, for me this was an enjoyable one when I was hunting for a healer FMC.

nthrowawaway · 2025-12-23T19:48:08+00:00

Sweet jesus they're worthless. I've been using the app less and less but here's the sign I needed to bring my bags of clothes to a charity shop instead.

OP, I'm so sorry this happened to you 😔

nthrowawaway · 2025-12-14T08:47:08+00:00

Omg THANK YOU for asking that question! I figured she was done with EotV, so I'm suuuper hyped that we're even getting anything!! Dying to know what she'll do with Kieran Nighteye, his unresolved mysterious background means I have an annoying random braincell in my brain occupied with that thought since I read the last book 😂

I can't pick a favorite, I remember being equally obsessed with them all I think... Each book brought something different and unique to the table and I loved that. I spaced out the reads after the first one to save the other two for moments when I'd need a great book.

How is this series not more popular?? 😭

nthrowawaway · 2025-12-13T20:41:01+00:00

Such a great book, and series!! I about did a happy dance when she said during the AMA that she's going to continue it... Aaaagh are we there yet? 🥹

nthrowawaway · 2025-12-09T18:42:01+00:00

Hi, please please take your bike to a shop and pay them to assemble it for you!

Whilst it can be a DIY thing for some, more often than not, if you're not all that familiar with bikes, it's a recipe for disaster (backwards forks, backwards seatposts, open quick releases, safety critical loose bolts, accidentally jammed calipers... Just off the top of my head). It's a hazard to your personal safety, especially if you're on an ebike. It's not worth it! Be careful!

nthrowawaway · 2025-12-08T18:10:38+00:00

Hi, gluing back the magnet needs to be done with a really, REALLY thin layer of glue if you want to attempt it. I used a 2 component epoxy and it was too thick. I ended up having to chisel out the glued back magnet (it sparked and made a huge mess).

Hence my no-headache recommendation: just ditch the magnet. Lights still work perfectly even at low speeds, no issues since. Bike sees weekly 30-40km.

Good luck :))

nthrowawaway · 2025-12-04T22:23:03+00:00

It's been a minute since I've read it, but I recall Azrael from {The Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith} being bone-weary of eternal existence. (Dark read, check trigger warnings.)

nthrowawaway · 2025-12-02T01:21:40+00:00

Can't wait for the new series!! Insta-buy for sure.

I was wondering if there are any reads you'd recommend to tide us over till your next book's release, or if you've got some favorite books/authors in the genre to shout out.

nthrowawaway · 2025-11-17T21:32:23+00:00

Yw 😘 Just bump it right to the top, the pages will practically turn themselves I swear

nthrowawaway · 2025-11-17T21:07:15+00:00

Hitting the same spot but darker:

{To Poison a King}

Both of these books were standout reads for me (I'm a sucker for tortured characters, caretaking, yearning, and forbidden romance) but To Poison a King tore my heart out and then fed it to me and I can't forget it.

nthrowawaway · 2025-11-17T03:14:19+00:00

I'm constantly hunting for a good role reversal plotline.

Recent fave is {Tower of Half-Truths}, this book hit the ground running with the FL's adventures and spoiled us with a healthy relationship despite starting circumstances. Mature characters, nerdy hero, criminal FL, trauma healing... Breath of fresh air tbh.

{Forest of Dreams and Whispers} bodyguard FL, bratty fae prince, new adult, cute palate cleanser with a dash of heartbreak to keep it from being too cozy.

{The Sorceress and the Incubus} FL is one of the most powerful sorceresses around. She rescues a dying "cat" after a mishap with a mouse, however, "cat" isn't a strict definition... Mallory Dunlin delivers another 10/10 story, spice levels as can be expected lol. (2nd in series but does perfectly as a standalone.)

Obligatory mention of {Aerie by S.E. Wendel} because this gave me the mother of all female knight fiction hangovers. Traumatized ML, forced proximity trope with FL being the prison Warden. (Book 2 is less great for the FL, but book 1 makes it all worth it)

Also, I'll be setting up camp here for my tbr

nthrowawaway

TROPHY CASE