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Oval chainring - more dropped chains?

Aug. 15, 2020, 8:38 p.m.
Posts: 479
Joined: Nov. 25, 2013

I switched to an oval ring again and have found that I seem to drop my chain more often than before (it dislodges from the bottom). Has anyone else had the same experience?

New chain, one-up chainguide, GX 12-sp drive. Makes me wonder if my clutch is starting to go. I've only noticed it on long-sustained downhills (WBP) and not locally on the Shore.

I'm curious if anyone has thoughts.

Aug. 15, 2020, 10:02 p.m.
Posts: 1455
Joined: March 18, 2017

Top Guide?

Aug. 15, 2020, 10:41 p.m.
Posts: 479
Joined: Nov. 25, 2013

yep, that's the one-up guide I have - and yes it is adjusted correctly.

So it is not a full drop, just bottom up to the guide. I take a pedal and it flips back...


 Last edited by: Taz123 on Aug. 15, 2020, 10:48 p.m., edited 1 time in total.
Aug. 16, 2020, 6:19 a.m.
Posts: 2307
Joined: Sept. 10, 2012

I used oval rings for years and didn't notice any more dropped chains than before or since. I did not use any chain guide at all. Just NW rings and clutch derailleurs.

Aug. 16, 2020, 6:29 a.m.
Posts: 1446
Joined: Nov. 6, 2006

From personal experience, it’s your clutch. 

Also shortened a chain once and seemed to cure the problem.

Aug. 16, 2020, 8:40 a.m.
Posts: 622
Joined: Feb. 24, 2017

I’ve found the chain will come off the bottom when I back pedal to drop the pedal down on the right side. My left foot is forward normally when cranks are level. So if I hit a bump at the wrong time the chain can come off.  More so when the chain and ring are worn. And clutch loose.

Aug. 16, 2020, 9:38 a.m.
Posts: 15971
Joined: Nov. 20, 2002

Running Shimano XT, between Narrow wide absolute Black chainring and the clutch der the chain almost never comes off IME, maybe once a season


 Last edited by: XXX_er on Aug. 16, 2020, 9:38 a.m., edited 1 time in total.
Aug. 16, 2020, 9:54 a.m.
Posts: 479
Joined: Nov. 25, 2013

Thanks for the feedback - I'll shorten the chain a couple of links first before replacing the derailleur - as it seems you can't adjust a Eagle clutch.

Aug. 16, 2020, 7:50 p.m.
Posts: 2412
Joined: Sept. 5, 2012

I have forgotten to turn the clutch lever ON .Lots of times never dropped a chain either. OneUp oval , OneUp guide, XT rear derailleur , XT chain

Aug. 18, 2020, 4:01 a.m.
Posts: 255
Joined: May 1, 2018

Posted by: andy-eunson

I’ve found the chain will come off the bottom when I back pedal to drop the pedal down on the right side. My left foot is forward normally when cranks are level. So if I hit a bump at the wrong time the chain can come off.  More so when the chain and ring are worn. And clutch loose.

I'm guessing  probably at one end of the cassette, and not middle?

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