New chain skipping around and jumping on the cluster...... :-(

[Nitram]

Last night I stuck a new Ultegra chain and big front ring on my 10 speed bike, and now it's jumping teeth on the back whenever I put any pressure on the pedals when riding. It does it on both the big and small rings...... ((((
I'm using a QUICKLINK.
The small ring is like new, and the rear cluster is pretty new.
I tried a diff back wheel from my other bike (with a diff cluster) and it's just the same.
I remember reading that the chain is supposed to go on a particular way.....but the little slip of paper that usually comes with a new chain was missing........
How does it go on again ?

((
Ta
NITRAM

[Jmuzz]

Is it a 10 speed chain?
9, 8 speed chains are fatter so won't work.

Same big ring teeth number? Same chain length?

[march83]

Orientation of the chain does matter, you're right. If you look at the side plates of the chain one side will have more writing and logos than the other. The side with more writing punched into it should be on the right hand side of the chain (if the viewer is seated on the bike).

Other things to look at are cassette wear. I know you said things are relatively new, but it doesn't too long for a bad old chain to destroy a cassette.

Also, checking the correct speed is important.

[ValleyForge]

Is it a 10 speed chain?
9, 8 speed chains are fatter so won't work.

Same big ring teeth number? Same chain length?

I'm not sure if the OP means a 2 x 5 set up (10 gear) in which a 10 speed chain will never work, neither an 8 or a 9 for that matter.
Otherwise it's going to be wear-mismatch. You either suck it up if it's not too bad, or get a new cluster as well.

[Nitram]

It’s a 10 speed rear cluster and the chain is a 10 speed too.
The thing is that the thing was working fine before, albeit that the front ring and chain were pretty tired. I rode 60km on it a couple of days ago, with 1300m of climbing.
I’m pretty sure that the writing on the chain is on the RHS, but I’ll check tonight.

[rkelsen]

Most mechanics will tell you to change the chain and cassette at the same time.

An old chain will chew up a new cassette very quickly.

[Duck!]

Most mechanics will tell you to change the chain and cassette at the same time.

An old chain will chew up a new cassette very quickly.

It is highly unusual to fit a new cassette with an old chain, because the chain is the fastest-wearing part of the drivetrain. If the chain isn't allowed to get too badly worn, it should be very possible for a cassette to see two chains. It can sometimes be possible for a cassette to see out a third chain. Chainrings should see out at least two cassettes.

[kb]

Jockey and pulley wheels?

[Baalzamon]

Does the new chain have the same amount of links of old chain?

[mangoman]

I think this is a stupid question, but did you re-index the gears?

[kb]

I just had a similar issue when changing both chain and gears. I believe it was a combination of gear cable needing replacement and slop in the previous gear / chain combination hiding the cable sticking a bit.