Cake Chain Crunch

Cliff Holloway said:

I have a new Gary fisher Cake 3 DLX (LX group - XT 180 crank) - XL. When
shifting on the crank sometimes the chain is sucked up and jammed into the
swing arm. The problem is that the big sprocket is within a 1/4 inch of the
frame and during shifts some times the chain jumps high enough to be sucked
between the large sprocket and the swing arm. If you compress the rear
suspension I can remove the chain. Not good for the frame, sprocket, chain &
possibly my self (ouch). I have swapped out the stock HG 53 chain for a SRAM
power link and have filed down the back side of the large sprocket to remove
the munches from the chain jamming, this has helped some. This problem might
not happen if the derailleur tension spring was stronger.

Any ideas or similar experiences?

Thanks
Cliff

Don't buy a bike in its first model year from a manufacturer whose
previous FS attempts have been plagued by chainsuck?

- khill

Well that sure helped ... NOT. An obvious point of course, the first model
year and all.....
Any truly helpful Ideas?

"khill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cliff Holloway said:

I have a new Gary fisher Cake 3 DLX (LX group - XT 180 crank) - XL. When
shifting on the crank sometimes the chain is sucked up and jammed into

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

swing arm. The problem is that the big sprocket is within a 1/4 inch of

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

frame and during shifts some times the chain jumps high enough to be

sucked

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

between the large sprocket and the swing arm. If you compress the rear
suspension I can remove the chain. Not good for the frame, sprocket,

chain &

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

possibly my self (ouch). I have swapped out the stock HG 53 chain for a

SRAM

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

power link and have filed down the back side of the large sprocket to

remove

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the munches from the chain jamming, this has helped some. This problem

might

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

not happen if the derailleur tension spring was stronger.

Any ideas or similar experiences?

Thanks
Cliff

Don't buy a bike in its first model year from a manufacturer whose
previous FS attempts have been plagued by chainsuck?

- khill

"Cliff Holloway" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news😄IHec.116708$gA5.1490996@attbi_s03...

Quoted message said:

I have a new Gary fisher Cake 3 DLX (LX group - XT 180 crank) - XL. When
shifting on the crank sometimes the chain is sucked up and jammed into the
swing arm. The problem is that the big sprocket is within a 1/4 inch of

the

Quoted message said:

frame and during shifts some times the chain jumps high enough to be

sucked

Quoted message said:

between the large sprocket and the swing arm. If you compress the rear
suspension I can remove the chain. Not good for the frame, sprocket, chain

&

Quoted message said:

possibly my self (ouch). I have swapped out the stock HG 53 chain for a

SRAM

Quoted message said:

power link and have filed down the back side of the large sprocket to

remove

Quoted message said:

the munches from the chain jamming, this has helped some. This problem

might

Quoted message said:

not happen if the derailleur tension spring was stronger.

Any ideas or similar experiences?

Thanks
Cliff

Just a thought. Did you buy this bike online, or did you buy it from a Local
bike Shop. Why not have them have a look at it. Any good bike shop should be
able to assist you. Of course, if you bought it online, then your at the
mercy of the lbs. Seems like a small adjustment, but then again a new model
always has some growing pains.

"Cliff Holloway" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news😄IHec.116708$gA5.1490996@attbi_s03...

Quoted message said:

I have a new Gary fisher Cake 3 DLX (LX group - XT 180 crank) - XL. When
shifting on the crank sometimes the chain is sucked up and jammed into the
swing arm. The problem is that the big sprocket is within a 1/4 inch of

the

Quoted message said:

frame and during shifts some times the chain jumps high enough to be

sucked

Quoted message said:

between the large sprocket and the swing arm. If you compress the rear
suspension I can remove the chain. Not good for the frame, sprocket, chain

&

Quoted message said:

possibly my self (ouch). I have swapped out the stock HG 53 chain for a

SRAM

Quoted message said:

power link and have filed down the back side of the large sprocket to

remove

Quoted message said:

the munches from the chain jamming, this has helped some. This problem

might

Quoted message said:

not happen if the derailleur tension spring was stronger.

Any ideas or similar experiences?

Thanks
Cliff

Just a thought. Did you buy this bike online, or did you buy it from a Local
bike Shop. Why not have them have a look at it. Any good bike shop should be
able to assist you. Of course, if you bought it online, then your at the
mercy of the lbs. Seems like a small adjustment, but then again a new model
always has some growing pains.

Cliff Holloway said:

Any ideas or similar experiences?

http://www.j-harris.net/bike/ambfaq.htm#4.6

--
a.m-b FAQ: http://www.j-harris.net/bike/ambfaq.htm

a.bmx FAQ: http://www.t-online.de/~jharris/bmx_faq.htm

"Cliff Holloway" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news😄IHec.116708$gA5.1490996@attbi_s03...

Quoted message said:

I have a new Gary fisher Cake 3 DLX (LX group - XT 180 crank) - XL. When
shifting on the crank sometimes the chain is sucked up and jammed into the
swing arm. The problem is that the big sprocket is within a 1/4 inch of

the

Quoted message said:

frame and during shifts some times the chain jumps high enough to be

sucked

Quoted message said:

between the large sprocket and the swing arm. If you compress the rear
suspension I can remove the chain. Not good for the frame, sprocket, chain

&

Quoted message said:

possibly my self (ouch). I have swapped out the stock HG 53 chain for a

SRAM

Quoted message said:

power link and have filed down the back side of the large sprocket to

remove

Quoted message said:

the munches from the chain jamming, this has helped some. This problem

might

Quoted message said:

not happen if the derailleur tension spring was stronger.

Any ideas or similar experiences?

Thanks
Cliff

I have a Klein Adept (a boutique Fisher Sugar) and although I haven't seen
the Cake, other than In pictures, it seems to have the same swingarm /
chainstay design as mine.
If the drive train is not kept immaculately cleaned and oiled it SUCKS! I
filed some of the aluminum swingarm down so I could backpedal the chain out
from between it and the ring. Is this area a carbon composite now? You'll
get used to it.

--
DTW .../\.../\.../\...

I've spent most of my money on mountain biking and windsurfing.
The rest I've just wasted.

Quoted message said:

"khill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Don't buy a bike in its first model year from a manufacturer whose
previous FS attempts have been plagued by chainsuck?

- khill

"Cliff Holloway" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<fNIec.126146$JO3.83130@attbi_s04>...

Quoted message said:

Well that sure helped ... NOT. An obvious point of course, the first model
year and all.....
Any truly helpful Ideas?

But it was helpful. Mr. Hill has a very valid point, you made a
mistake by buying that thing in the first place. If you had done a
bit of research on Google (even in this NG), you might have found out
the cake should have been named the [censored] from someone who took a spin
on one of the prototypes. Sell the damn thing to some other fool and
buy a good bike. That'll solve your problem.

JD

JD, I did my research, go to
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_full_suspension/product_123075.shtml where
the cake gets 4.75 out of 5 very good ratings and not one mention of the
problem I have. Mr. Hill does have a point, nobody including me likes to buy
the first year of production (before the bugs are worked out) - sometimes it
just works out that way. As far as a piece of [censored] - I think not -- such
brash over generalities are usually based on emotion not logic or
experience. If I don't find a answer (I thought I eliminated one of the
potential causes up front with a quality XT crank) right away, one will
come. I'm a big 6'4" 220 lb Ex Motocrosser (15 yrs & ex test rider) so I've
been down this thrashing equipment road before. It was hard to give up the
old Cannondale F700 (5 out of 5 on MTBR Reviews) because the frame was so
Solid. Frame flex has always been an issue and I hope it is not the case
here. If it looks hopeless I still might do something like you
suggested.....

Cliff

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"khill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Don't buy a bike in its first model year from a manufacturer whose
previous FS attempts have been plagued by chainsuck?

- khill

"Cliff Holloway" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<fNIec.126146$JO3.83130@attbi_s04>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Well that sure helped ... NOT. An obvious point of course, the first

model

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

year and all.....
Any truly helpful Ideas?

But it was helpful. Mr. Hill has a very valid point, you made a
mistake by buying that thing in the first place. If you had done a
bit of research on Google (even in this NG), you might have found out
the cake should have been named the [censored] from someone who took a spin
on one of the prototypes. Sell the damn thing to some other fool and
buy a good bike. That'll solve your problem.

JD

A guide or some bolt on block on the swing arm that would prevent the chain
from getting up there in the first place....

Thanks for the idea
Cliff
"sittingduck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cliff Holloway said:

Well that sure helped ... NOT. An obvious point of course, the first

model

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

year and all.....
Any truly helpful Ideas?

would a chain guide work?

"Xtc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Cliff Holloway" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news😄IHec.116708$gA5.1490996@attbi_s03...

Quoted message said:

I have a new Gary fisher Cake 3 DLX (LX group - XT 180 crank) - XL. When
shifting on the crank sometimes the chain is sucked up and jammed into

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

swing arm. The problem is that the big sprocket is within a 1/4 inch of

the

Quoted message said:

frame and during shifts some times the chain jumps high enough to be

sucked

Quoted message said:

between the large sprocket and the swing arm. If you compress the rear
suspension I can remove the chain. Not good for the frame, sprocket,

chain

Quoted message said:

&

Quoted message said:

possibly my self (ouch). I have swapped out the stock HG 53 chain for a

SRAM

Quoted message said:

power link and have filed down the back side of the large sprocket to

remove

Quoted message said:

the munches from the chain jamming, this has helped some. This problem

might

Quoted message said:

not happen if the derailleur tension spring was stronger.

Any ideas or similar experiences?

Thanks
Cliff

Just a thought. Did you buy this bike online, or did you buy it from a

Local

Quoted message said:

bike Shop. Why not have them have a look at it. Any good bike shop should

be

Quoted message said:

able to assist you. Of course, if you bought it online, then your at the
mercy of the lbs. Seems like a small adjustment, but then again a new

model

Quoted message said:

always has some growing pains.

I did buy the bike from a local shop and they are scratching their

heads.......hopefully if other people are having problems an answer will
come soon....

Cliff

Cliff Holloway said:

JD, I did my research, go to
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_full_suspension/product_123075.shtml where
the cake gets 4.

Dude, that is now the funniest post of the day. Hint, don't expect one
shred of objectivity for the reviews at MTBR.

Greg

Thanks for the really detailed information especially at
http://www.fagan.co.za/Bikes/Csuck/ .....

Cliff
"bomba" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cliff Holloway said:

Any ideas or similar experiences?

http://www.j-harris.net/bike/ambfaq.htm#4.6

--
a.m-b FAQ: http://www.j-harris.net/bike/ambfaq.htm

a.bmx FAQ: http://www.t-online.de/~jharris/bmx_faq.htm

No [censored]? Is there a bit of manufacture's dollars influence going on here?
"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cliff Holloway said:

JD, I did my research, go to
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_full_suspension/product_123075.shtml

where

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the cake gets 4.

Dude, that is now the funniest post of the day. Hint, don't expect one
shred of objectivity for the reviews at MTBR.

Greg

Cliff Holloway said:

No [censored]? Is there a bit of manufacture's dollars influence going on

A) Stop top-posting (see how your reply is out of logical order?).

B) People tend to gush over expensive things they buy.

C) Greg will finish this for me 😉

Bill "fix the suck and enjoy your bike" S.

Quoted message said:

here? "G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cliff Holloway said:

JD, I did my research, go to
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_full_suspension/product_123075.shtml
where the cake gets 4.

Dude, that is now the funniest post of the day. Hint, don't expect
one shred of objectivity for the reviews at MTBR.

Greg

Cliff Holloway said:

No [censored]? Is there a bit of manufacture's dollars influence going on here?

No, just a lot of blind brand loyalty. I stopped using it years ago.

Greg

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cliff Holloway said:

No [censored]? Is there a bit of manufacture's dollars influence going on

here?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

No, just a lot of blind brand loyalty. I stopped using it years ago.

Do you think this forum is a better place from which to get advice?!?! 😉

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

ZeeExSixAre said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cliff Holloway said:

No [censored]? Is there a bit of manufacture's dollars influence going on
here?

No, just a lot of blind brand loyalty. I stopped using it years ago.

Do you think this forum is a better place from which to get
advice?!?! 😉

I would have to say yes to that, seriously. I wouldn't say there's any more
objectivity, but the interactive nature of the NG vs the forum can give you
a better feel for where the reveiwer is coming from and allow you to see
engage in more of a discussion rather than read a long list of statements.
On MBTR dudes will write, "This gear sucked, it broke after only 5 rides."
Here you don't get any more of an impartial look, but you can see a broader
spectrum of comment and make better judgements about who's opinion is
worthwhile and who's isn't.

Tom

"ZeeExSixAre" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cliff Holloway said:

No [censored]? Is there a bit of manufacture's dollars influence going on

here?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

No, just a lot of blind brand loyalty. I stopped using it years ago.

Do you think this forum is a better place from which to get advice?!?! 😉

For anything other than singlespeeding in Fla, yes. Tom is right, all
you see on the mtbidiots (thanks Bryce) reviews is subject to the view
anonymous reviewer, who is most often a moron. How does one know the
skill level of the poster, or any other personal details? Let's put
it this way, say tbf posted about how great his jamis pos is. Well in
mtbidiots you don't know that he lives in the flatlands of Canadica,
rides only for a "season" instead of all year and is a hacky thrasher
weekend warrior. If he gave the jamis a five (which he so obviusly
has) on mtbidiots, nobody would know better. Here we can just sit
back and laugh, knowing that jamis would not last for [censored] under real
conditions and then go buy something that will stand up to regular
use.

JD

"Cliff Holloway" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<Ug3fc.32625$xn4.81299@attbi_s51>...

Quoted message said:

JD, I did my research, go to
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_full_suspension/product_123075.shtml where
the cake gets 4.75 out of 5 very good ratings and not one mention of the
problem I have. Mr. Hill does have a point, nobody including me likes to buy
the first year of production (before the bugs are worked out) - sometimes it
just works out that way. As far as a piece of [censored] - I think not -- such
brash over generalities are usually based on emotion not logic or
experience. If I don't find a answer (I thought I eliminated one of the
potential causes up front with a quality XT crank) right away, one will
come. I'm a big 6'4" 220 lb Ex Motocrosser (15 yrs & ex test rider) so I've
been down this thrashing equipment road before. It was hard to give up the
old Cannondale F700 (5 out of 5 on MTBR Reviews) because the frame was so
Solid. Frame flex has always been an issue and I hope it is not the case
here. If it looks hopeless I still might do something like you
suggested.....

Don't be so sure about my experience with the GF [censored]. I had the
misfortune to take one of the prototype craps for a spin and it was
laugable. Take a close look at all of the Fruita photos in this
year's GF propaganda catalog. He, his entrouage of "yes men" and
junky bikes were here. Take it from someone who is 6'-7" 225, it's
hopeless.

As far a mtbidiots goes, the Clydesdale forum there might be worth
your while for equipment issues, though you still have to wade through
a few santa crud blind brand loyalists.

JD breakfast digested, time to ride