Things You'll Need:
- Bike Grease
- Bike Tools
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Step 1
Keep your drivetrain clean and lubed well (see Related eHow "Maintain a Clean and Efficient Bike Drivetrain").
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Step 2
Inspect your chain and chain rings often for wear and tear. Worn, old chains with stiff links can cause chain suck. So can bent or damaged teeth on your chain ring (if you find some bent teeth, bend them back carefully by gripping them with an adjustable wrench). (Note that some Shimano chain rings will appear to be bent or broken when in fact they were designed that way.)
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Step 3
Check your chain line (how your front chain rings line up with the rear cogs). In most cases, it will be fine if your bike is stock (i.e., unchanged from manufacture). However, if you have recently replaced the cranks or bottom bracket, this relationship may be off, causing poor shifting and chain suck.
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Step 4
Concentrate on your shifting and pedaling technique. Late shifting under load can cause problems with any drivetrain. A smooth spin and proper shifting will help prevent chain suck.
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Step 5
Install an "anti-chain suck" device on your frame if all else fails. This is a small piece of aluminum that attaches to the chain stays. Most bike shops stock them.
