Rear Sprocket popping out?
Make sure that the front sprocket is mounted correctly. We noticed that some sprockets were installed incorrectly on the spider making the belt line crooked.
It's an easy and permanent fix for this issue. See step 2 below if yours has already popped out.
Also there is a side to the sprocket, if you look carefully there is a slight offset on one side. How to know what side to use? The "CARBON DRIVE CDX" is printed bigger on one side. So the right side is the bigger one facing you!
Belt/IGH issues - skipping
There are several things that can cause belt or IGH to skip or slip. We will cover each of these items below. Please follow along step by step.
1.IGH should be in proper adjustment
Adjusting the internal geared hub
This bike is using the new Sturmey-Archer RSX-RK5 IGH but maintenance and adjustment is like the C50 series IGH, click here for the full manual.
As for the adjustment if you get any grinding or skipping it might be because the IGH needs to be adjusted, so please follow this procedure
Note: You can adjust the IGH using the adjuster knob at the end of the cable next to the shifter. Make sure to shift a few time from 1 to 2 and then from 2-3 to see if the adjustment is good.
2.The circlip needs to be on the IGH.
If it has come off somehow (likely due to incorrect belt line) , You need to tighten it back, here is how to bend it back into a proper circle and place back onto the IGH.
Also there is a side to the sprocket, if you look carefully there is a slight offset on one side. How to know what side to use? The "CARBON DRIVE CDX" is printed bon one side. So the right side is the printing should be facing the IGH, not you!
If you do not have a bench vise, you can use a hose clamp to close the gap, Thanks to Robert N for the tip
1 First you need to bend the clip just enough to get the two ends to overlap slightly.
2 Position the ring and tin insert (see pic) into the hose clamp and tighten slightly just until it stays in the clamp. make sure the open ends of the ring and the tin piece of metal are at the top (the screw adjuster) part of the clamp.
3 maneuver the ring so it is centered (side to side) in the clamp.
4 using a socket wrench tighten the clamp, you need to move the end of the ring a least 1" before any bending stays in the clip. don't attempt to do this using a screwdriver.
5 it may slip out while tightening, just do over, be patient.
6 once you start making progress put a mark (sharpie) at the spot where the end of the ring while tightened. if you need to squeeze more you will know where you have to go past to get more results.
7 First got it to 1/8" then 1/4" and stopped at 3/8" overlap. each time tightening the hose clamp just a little more.
The reason for the tin insert is the clip seemed to not seat where the screw mechanism is on the hose clamp and kept slipping out. also the open ends of the clip should be in the tin insert so they do not get caught up in the gaps on the hose clamp.
3. Adjust belt tension around 80-90hz with the Gates belt app
Belt tension is an important and often overlooked factor in our testing of causes. Often it can feel or sound like something is internal, but the actual issue is the belt essentially skipping. This is invisible to the naked eye but if you shoot a video in slow-motion while getting it to skip (and after eliminating the above other potential causes) you should be able to see it.
Adjusting the Gates carbon drive belt:
This bike uses the same dropouts and the same gates drive system as the Luna Fixed Stealth bike so please refer to the manual over here (click link) or watch this video from the 1min mark
The Tension on this model should be 80hz-90hz (max 94hz), and must be checked a multiple places on the belt. make sure that the axle nuts are very tight to avoid any movements or axle twisting.
4 Rear Wheel Alignment:
This step is crucial to avoid any belt skipping or rear pulley popping out. We covered a bit of this in the video about tensionning the belt. The key is to have a perfect belt line once you have the proper tension. Do not over look this step! Under high load the frame will slightly twist (all frame do BTW) and the alignment will be a little off so if it's already a little off it will go way off! And under load the center "CenterTrack" (Gates invented this) of the belt will not be able to fit int he center spline of the rear sprocket/pulley and the belt will jump a few teeth.
Again make sure the axles nuts are very tight once done, then re- check alignment and tension.
NOTE: if you can't get it perfect best would be to have the wheel a bit to the right (front of the tire closer to the belt, or the exact opposite of the bottom drawing) because under tension the front of the wheel will have a tendency to move to the left side of the bike. Not by a lot or you will have skipping under no load (or the tire will rub on the belt.
5.Check for any frayed or damaged cable
Inspect the cable for any physical damage, including the housing but especially at the point where it connects to the IGH. If it is frayed or damaged, that should be repaired.
6. Adequately captured axle rotation
We have a custom solution that helps prevent this, they are now on hand for anyone that needs one. This replaces part of the tensioner assembly.
It fits in the dropout and is an improvement over the stock parts, but is not the only thing to keep in mind regarding this issue. This will only prevent the axle from twisting or moving under load, might be useful for some who experienced internal skipping on gear #3.
7. The bike is NOT being started from a stop in 1st or 2nd rather than a high gear
In other words, care is being taken not to lug the drivetrain in the wrong gear. If it is too much for you to pedal without the motor on, then you probably have it in the wrong gear. Always start in 1st or second gear, never in 3rd,4th or 5th.
8. Inspect the belt and pulleys
Remove the belt do not bend it more than 2 inch radius, inspect the inside track and teeth. Inspect the pulleys do any signs of damage to the center track or teeth. Also turn the front ring to see if you have any wobbling, repeat for the rear.
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