Vitis Sentier 650B 2014 Problem!!!

[BeerMonster1]

I bought the bike originally in Feb this year. The bike has been fantastic so far but is now developing some problems. I've only done around 300 miles on the bike (so nothing exhausting) and the BB and head-stock bearings seems to be creaking under pressure (again not excessive). I have stripped it down and made sure they were thoroughly cleaned and re-greased. However, the creaking is still there and its doing my head in. Is it possible that these parts can wear out after such a short while??

As well as this on the rear derailleur the lower "Cog" has worn and the chain now pops off, can this just be tightened or will it have to be replaced??

Thanks again BeerMonster1

[anonymous-user]

Bearings are likely to be fine, suspect its a problem somewhere else on the bike. its natural to assume creaks are from the drivetrain but often they can be from pedals or even saddle bolts.

Rear sprockets dont weear after 300 miles, check the alignment of the chain when on the smallest sprocket using the "H" screw to ensure that the rear mech isnt trying to pull the chain off the smallest sprocket. It should all align so the chain, mech and sprocket are vertically aligned when the chain is on the largest chainring. Sprockets at the back, chainrings at the front...

www.parktool.com for good "how to" guides

[Watchman]

I have recently learned that noises travel through a bike frame. Check this out, I was adamant it was the BB which I unecessarily replaced:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Before you disassemble anything or re-grease anything, just see if everything is nipped-up properly. I am convinced the issue with mine was related to the cassette not being properly tightened, and that another half turn of the lockring would have sorted it.

[daddy cool]

Several times ive popped an old set of flat pedals onto my mountain or road bikes and creaks i assumed were coming from the bottom bracket have mysteriously disappeared... which is nice.

As above, rear cassette wont even be run-in yet. Learning to adjust high/low and indexing inbetween is a dark art and initially frustrating but very satisfying when you learn how to do it - that will solve your problem.

[BeerMonster1]

pablo said:

Bearings are likely to be fine, suspect its a problem somewhere else on the bike. its natural to assume creaks are from the drivetrain but often they can be from pedals or even saddle bolts.

Rear sprockets dont weear after 300 miles, check the alignment of the chain when on the smallest sprocket using the "H" screw to ensure that the rear mech isnt trying to pull the chain off the smallest sprocket. It should all align so the chain, mech and sprocket are vertically aligned when the chain is on the largest chainring. Sprockets at the back, chainrings at the front...

www.parktool.com for good "how to" guides

The Creaks I can hear from the head stock I can feel too If i rock the bike backwards and forwards with my fingers around the head stock/top tube.

As for the rear, sorry I should make myself clear. I meant if you look at the mech face on from the side of the bike the lowest cog that hangs closest to the floor *usually 11 splines* hangs right on the end of the mech (Idler pulley)?? It keeps popping off and the pulley cog appears to be bent .

[BeerMonster1]

Watchman said:

I have recently learned that noises travel through a bike frame. Check this out, I was adamant it was the BB which I unecessarily replaced:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Before you disassemble anything or re-grease anything, just see if everything is nipped-up properly. I am convinced the issue with mine was related to the cassette not being properly tightened, and that another half turn of the lockring would have sorted it.

Ill have a quick check through the rear seat etc but I have had the crank arm (left) just fall off on its own previously. I put it back on and tightened it up and it seemed fine. So I will try seat clamp and see if it is that.

Thanks again guys!!!

[Craikeybaby]

This doesn't sound too good, I'm about to buy a Vitus Nucleus 275.

[Herman Toothrot]

BeerMonster1 said:

The Creaks I can hear from the head stock I can feel too If i rock the bike backwards and forwards with my fingers around the head stock/top tube.

Tighten it up, sounds like the headset is loose, loosen locking bolts, tighten cap a bit, tighten locking bolts.

BeerMonster1 said:

As for the rear, sorry I should make myself clear. I meant if you look at the mech face on from the side of the bike the lowest cog that hangs closest to the floor *usually 11 splines* hangs right on the end of the mech (Idler pulley)?? It keeps popping off and the pulley cog appears to be bent .

So the mech is striking the biggest rear cassette sprocket? That's adjusted by the screw on the mech hanger.


I have a Vitus 275 Rapide, it's not needed any adjustment but then Chain reaction is a damn big business and so I can imagine the odd one gets sent out not perfectly setup. Bikes are pretty simple though so easy to sort.

[BeerMonster1]

Herman Toothrot said:

BeerMonster1 said:

The Creaks I can hear from the head stock I can feel too If i rock the bike backwards and forwards with my fingers around the head stock/top tube.

Tighten it up, sounds like the headset is loose, loosen locking bolts, tighten cap a bit, tighten locking bolts.

BeerMonster1 said:

As for the rear, sorry I should make myself clear. I meant if you look at the mech face on from the side of the bike the lowest cog that hangs closest to the floor *usually 11 splines* hangs right on the end of the mech (Idler pulley)?? It keeps popping off and the pulley cog appears to be bent .

So the mech is striking the biggest rear cassette sprocket? That's adjusted by the screw on the mech hanger.


I have a Vitus 275 Rapide, it's not needed any adjustment but then Chain reaction is a damn big business and so I can imagine the odd one gets sent out not perfectly setup. Bikes are pretty simple though so easy to sort.

I've already tightened them . It didn't do it from brand new so I don't know what's happened.

On the mech itself right at the bottom, if you imagine the mech is fully out facing downwards, it's the idle pulley on the bottom of the mech. I may have clocked it with a rock and bent it maybe??

[BeerMonster1]

Craikeybaby said:

This doesn't sound too good, I'm about to buy a Vitus Nucleus 275.

Crikey don't let this put you off. The vitus has been a great bike it has just developed some teething problems as will most bikes bought brand new. I will take it into the LBS and see what they say.