Bill: the mechanics felt that the floating/ghosting is perhaps a symptom of the chain and the cassette not working well together…perhaps imperceptible wear (which, of course, there should be almost no wear at this point) or some slight misalignment/imperfection in the cogs were occasionally throwing the chain off its path. They’ve already adjusted cables, etc…all the things they do to keep from replacing part. They’ve done this work at no charge.
We’ve now replaced the chain with the Shimano chain. That didn’t fix it, so their next and lowest-cost replacement will be the cassette. Mike and John: I have a feeling they’ve looked at the derailleur hanger, but, of course, I don’t know…I’ll contact them today to kindly remind them to take a moment with that. Y’all, when the bike is on the stand, it purrs like a kitten as it goes through its shifting paces. It’s beautiful to watch and to hear. This is an issue that occurs only in real-life, rolling-hill work. And right now Cincinnati’s covered in snow with so much salt on the roads that I hesitate to expose my pretty bike to it. So it might be some time for the salt and ice clear enough to test the Platy on for-real hills,, but I’ll keep you updated. I’m trying to figure out way to celebrate this entire group for your help. :) Liz On Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 8:12:48 PM UTC-5 John Rinker wrote: > Hello Liz, > > After you've tried the very sage advice already given (except getting rid > of your Silver Shifters!), if you're still having problems perhaps you can > look at the derailleur hanger and make sure it's not slightly bent. > > Your ghost shifting in the 'highest 3 gears' is the opposite of my ghost > shifting in the 3 lowest gear, but mine also occurred going up or cresting > hills. In the end, I discovered that this issue was fixed when I diagnosed > a bent hanger and straightened it. > > I also have Silver Shifters and these were definitely not the problem in > my case. > > Cheers, John > > On Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11:12:22 AM UTC-8 [email protected] wrote: > >> Oh gosh…it seems I have some detective work cut out for me, but I do see >> some hope for resolution. >> >> I’m gonna try to diagnose the problem by using Bill “tapebubba’s” >> suggestion first…just as soon as I can shovel a path to my garage. :) >> I’ll let you know what I find. >> >> Until Bill “schralp” said he’s got this same issue while using Shimano >> thumbies, I was leaning simply toward replacing the Silver Shifters, but >> now I’m not sure that’s the culprit. I wish I could simply replace the >> shifters and fix the problem and ride happily ever after and never look >> back…I guess I always want the easiest fastest fix, but then I don’t learn >> much. >> >> I’d love to forward this thread to the mechanics at my bike shop but I >> have to figure out how to do that. >> >> Liz in Cincinnati >> >> >> >> On Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11:31:28 AM UTC-5 schralp wrote: >> >>> Mine does the same thing and I’m using shimano thumbies. I think it’s >>> the hub based on the way it feels but haven’t investigated. >>> >>> -Bill >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Jan 6, 2025 at 7:45 AM [email protected] <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Your thoughts on a skipping/slipping/floating chain and gear, please. >>>> >>>> In late November 2024. I received my newly built up Platypus from C&L >>>> Cycles in Montreal. I love it beyond description. However, there’s one >>>> very >>>> frustrating issue that I can’t figure out and wonder what insight you >>>> friends might have about it. >>>> >>>> From the get-go, the gears have slipped. Yes, I’m using friction Silver >>>> Shifters, and I’ve spent a lot of time eliminating myself as the problem >>>> here. But I’ve ALWAYS used friction shifters on every bike (other than my >>>> Clem) and I’m not a klutz, and I’ve tried really really hard to be land >>>> these gear changes, but this problem just keeps happening. I’ve put >>>> probably 200 miles on the Platypus and I’ve not taken a single ride on it >>>> that this has not been a problem. >>>> >>>> The issue occurs on the rear 9-gear cassette and almost always in the >>>> highest 3 gears…especially when going uphill or cresting a hill, but not >>>> always. >>>> >>>> Sometimes the chain seems to simply float EVEN WHEN I’M NOT PEDALING, >>>> and then it lands wherever it wants without my touching the shifter. >>>> >>>> This is driving me nuts because I adore this bicycle and this problem >>>> is making me lose trust. It’s not safe to ride in the kind of traffic I >>>> ride. >>>> >>>> I’ve taken the bike to my local bike shop, and we’ve changed the chain, >>>> but the issue continues. >>>> >>>> (I’m pretty sure no one at the bike shop is actually riding the >>>> Playtpus very far, which is disappointing…because I’m convinced that if >>>> they ride it far enough they would experience the problem. But I can’t >>>> force them to take it for a long ride in cold and sloppy weather, so now >>>> I’m considering next moves.) >>>> >>>> Does anyone know of any issues like this with the Silver Shifters? I’m >>>> considering replacing them with Shimano. Or maybe a new cassette? Maybe an >>>> 8-gears cassette—which is what I have on my trusty Atlantis and with which >>>> I’ve never had an issue with shifting. >>>> >>>> I sent an email to Rivendell yesterday, which they should read some >>>> time today, but I thought I might get somewhere with this group, too. >>>> >>>> Liz (who probably isn’t a klutz, but the thought still lingers that it >>>> might be me but it’s not), snowbound in Cincinnati >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>> To view this discussion visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9fb2ce2e-32e9-4218-a25a-08fa396a4947n%40googlegroups.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9fb2ce2e-32e9-4218-a25a-08fa396a4947n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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