Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Drivetrain Noise

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spcialzdspksman
10-21-09, 06:18 PM
It makes a sort of whirring sound which seems to be coming from either the drivetrain area or the sprocket. Is this normal? I'm pretty sure that my bike was dead quiet the first time I rode it a month or two ago. Is it a problem with my chainline?

elTwitcho
10-21-09, 06:26 PM
Most single speed bikes will make noise when the cranks are turning and the chain is engaging the rear cog
roastbeef
10-21-09, 06:40 PM
if it has been a month or two, it might be time to clean and re-lubricate.

spcialzdspksman
10-21-09, 07:23 PM
if it has been a month or two, it might be time to clean and re-lubricate.

I have been lubing the chain with White Lightning wax lube regularly, about once every 2 weeks. Do I need to lube any other parts?
jpdesjar
10-22-09, 07:44 AM
Check the chainline and the tension.
That should be about it.
All of my drive components match in width, that seems to keep things quieter.
Brian Sorrell
10-22-09, 02:29 PM
Are you cleaning the chain when you lube it?
Is your chain too tight?
bones_mcbones
10-22-09, 02:40 PM
"whirring" what does that sound like?
iFixed
10-22-09, 02:45 PM
If it was quiet before, then its probably not a chainline issue. Most likely it's a chain tension issue. Clean, lubricate, and get your tension correct. You should be good.

Now, if you're wrong and it was "whirring" before, then it could be a variety of things. I'd check the above first though and see how far that gets you.
filtersweep
10-22-09, 02:46 PM
Every two weeks isn't that often. Why are you using wax, BTW? I would use a wet lube if I lived in SF.


I have been lubing the chain with White Lightning wax lube regularly, about once every 2 weeks. Do I need to lube any other parts?
spcialzdspksman
10-22-09, 08:00 PM
Are you cleaning the chain when you lube it?
Is your chain too tight?
That might actually be it. The chain is really taut (like 2mm dip when I press down) so I'm going to go lower the tension and see what happens.

"whirring" what does that sound like?
Sounds like the chain grinding really hard against the chainring or sprocket.

Every two weeks isn't that often. Why are you using wax, BTW? I would use a wet lube if I lived in SF.
Idk, thought I would give the wax lube a try since I heard that it wouldn't attract more dirt and grime. Maybe I don't need that here, but I thought it would be better anyway.
feetpower
10-22-09, 08:20 PM
2mm dip? sounds like its too tight. 1cm up/down is enough slack.