Mechanical Question

[Zylstra]

Can a bicycle perform like normal if the rear sprocket is missing a tooth?

 

[Netheralian]

Yes

The chain is dynamically linked to the sprocket by more than just one tooth. The loss of one tooth should therefore make little difference.

 

[Zylstra]

Yes

The chain is dynamically linked to the sprocket by more than just one tooth. The loss of one tooth should therefore make little difference.

Thanks ^.^

Good to know. Money is always a factor for me

 

[Zylstra]

Should I worry about the missing tooth making the chain pop off?


*can'tt believe the damn tooth off AND the chain snapped*

 

[scalyblue]

You should worry more about the missing tooth making the entire sprocket weaker than it was, but yes the chain has a better chance of jumping, especially if you stop the bike in that sweet spot. Sorta the same thing happens when you break a tooth on a flywheel, you'll start fine 90% of the time but that one time that gap gets centered over the starter, you're kinda screwed, but a chain gives you more of a failsafe ^.^

 

[Zylstra]

flywheels are in engines, right?

*not mechanically inclined*

Well... as long as it doesn't give out when I'm going down hill... it has kickback breaks, so I'm REALLY screwed if that happens :|

 

[Netheralian]

Sorta the same thing happens when you break a tooth on a flywheel, you'll start fine 90% of the time but that one time that gap gets centered over the starter, you're kinda screwed, but a chain gives you more of a failsafe ^.^

Actually, I'm not sure what you mean by a flywheel here either. Do you mean a gear?
A gear only has one(ish) contact point so it is more l likely to fail. I agree with you that you are weakening the sprocket, but it shouldn't jump by loosing a tooth (unless your competing or something).

The chain is always in contact with half the total number of teeth on the sprocket so one less isn't a big problem and should be fine (nominally anyway). I would wonder how you broke a tooth and if you have bent the sprocket when you did that - that may cause the chain to jump.

 

[Zylstra]

I would wonder how you broke a tooth

as do i :|

the chain snapped earlier; i don't know whether the tooth was damaged during the same event.

we have ruled out foam strikes and are reevaluating our maintenance procedures

and if you have bent the sprocket when you did that - that may cause the chain to jump.

The sprocket does not appear bent and all the other teeth appear normal. I replaced the chin and will test it *checks clock* later on today

 

[Netheralian]

we have ruled out foam strikes and are reevaluating our maintenance procedures

I recommend in-situ evaluation and repair during cycling. You might have to get a friend with a big telescope to look at you on the street to see if he can spot any cycling associated damage. And if there is damage you are looking at an extra-bicycular-activity (EBA's). Can be very dangerous...

 

[Zylstra]

The techs recommend doing a flyover with a satellite, but we don't see the need



I mean, noone ever died because someone refused to take a picture of somerthing, right?


We'll repair any damage when we get home. I hate to walk, which is why I got the bike in the first place. Besides, a little lack of maintenance never hurt anybody.

 

[scalyblue]

Having a missing tooth will let the chain 'chatter' more, and it could jump off b/c of that...it's not a big problem if you carry a set of gloves with you so you don't get grease on your hands if you need to fix it en route.