Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - how to eliminate chain noise on my pista?

since new, my 04 pista's had chain noise. i thought i'd ride it out, hopefully allowing the chain to loosen up. no luck. turned over, checked the chain ring and cog, and all look true. i recently relubed with finish line teflon. still no luck. in my archives search, doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to people's success in fixing their noise. btw, i believe it's chain noise. should i totally degrease and relube entire chain? examine chain ring more, loosen and tighten bolts? suggestions greatly appreciated.

btw, i've never been on a more respectful and helpful board. thanks y'all.

I have no personal experiance with pistas but you might try a new chain. After I bought a wipperman conex all my chain noise stopped.

since new, my 04 pista's had chain noise. i thought i'd ride it out, hopefully allowing the chain to loosen up. no luck. turned over, checked the chain ring and cog, and all look true. i recently relubed with finish line teflon. still no luck. in my archives search, doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to people's success in fixing their noise. btw, i believe it's chain noise. should i totally degrease and relube entire chain? examine chain ring more, loosen and tighten bolts? suggestions greatly appreciated.

btw, i've never been on a more respectful and helpful board. thanks y'all.

for me, noise has always been the result of an imperfect chainline. if you're running a narrow chain now, maybe try running a 1/8th... might at least quiet it some.

yea, i'm currently running a 3/32. perhaps i'll go 1/8. is this an easier fix than trying to fix the imperfect chainline, if that's what it is? thanks.

didn't someone in another post mention that the noise is due to a stamped or machined chainring? I forget which one. he gave a really good reason why, too...I'll take a look right now and find out for you.

yea, i'm currently running a 3/32. perhaps i'll go 1/8. is this an easier fix than trying to fix the imperfect chainline, if that's what it is? thanks. it just gives a bit more room. the noise you hear is prolly the chain on the side of the cog... if the chainline were *perfect* it would only do that under really heavy loads.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=59162&highlight=chainring

read #21
he (don d.) says he's worked in the bicycle business for 20 years so i am inclined to think he may know what he's talking about.
I am going to get a new chainring (along with a new chain and rear cog) this weekend and I will let you know if it makes a difference. I have an '04 pista as well by the way.

"The trick to getting a quiet drivetrain is to get a front chainring and rear cog with machine cut teeth rather than stamped teeth. I own a Bianchi Pista and the frame is quite nice, but to keep the cost down, Bianchi uses lower grade components assuming the user can upgrade as it suits him or her. If you want to improve the drivetrain, a machine cut chainring will be rounder than a plain stamped cut chainring, will more precisely mesh with the chain, and will eliminate much of the noise. A stamped chainring is always a little out of round so there are tight spots and loose spots in the chain when pedaled so there is more noise.

Stamped chainrings on bicycles with derailleurs don't make much more noise than machined chainrings because there is slack in the chain that is taken up by the derailleur spring.

In addition, the Bianchi comes with a stamped crankest, which is a less precise manufacturing technique than a cold forged crankset. A cold forged crankset with precision ground chainring like a Campagnolo Record or Shimano Dura ace will practically eliminate noise altogether, assuming you have a machine cut cog.

Finally, make certain that your chainline is spot on, and with all the above fixes, you will have a quiet drive."

it just gives a bit more room. the noise you hear is prolly the chain on the side of the cog... if the chainline were *perfect* it would only do that under really heavy loads.

Pistas are notorious for such noices. Either deal with it, or swap your chainring and chain. Shouldnt have to worry about the cog, though.

On my 03, noice goes away when I use my 42t ****mano ring.

muchas gracias everyone. yea, unfortunately, i've noticed that pistas owners share this concern. etcher, i did see see that post a while back, but guess i was in denial about having to swap parts. think i'll go with the new chain and ring, as well. although the wipperman connex seems like overkill for my meager purposes. etcher, please post results as i'm mos def curious (although i may do same this weekend) and, of course, for others' benefit. i'll post too.

btw, any consensus on swapping bb and for which one, since i've heard this fails over time with pistas? some people suggested the truvativ gigabyte. the actual cranks seem decent. tia.

btw, suggestions on a 48T ring? w/o having to spend beaucoup bucks on a campy?

is it possible the noise is because your chain is too tight? when mine is it makes some funky noises. I use a couple chain tensioners to help me find the sweet spot.

My BB started get all loose during ragbrai so I need to replace mine too. But then I got about 3k miles on it beforehand so I have nothing but good things to say about the 04pista.

jeff

btw, suggestions on a 48T ring? w/o having to spend beaucoup bucks on a campy?

check out www.businesscycles.com. you can pick up a fsa chainring for $40 or a sugino 75 for $53. not too bad.

is it possible the noise is because your chain is too tight? when mine is it makes some funky noises. I use a couple chain tensioners to help me find the sweet spot.

jeff

good point. forgot to mention that i did initially loosen the tension a bit (it was sorta tight), but no effect.

thanks isotopesope for the link.

muchas gracias everyone. yea, unfortunately, i've noticed that pistas owners share this concern. etcher, i did see see that post a while back, but guess i was in denial about having to swap parts. think i'll go with the new chain and ring, as well. although the wipperman connex seems like overkill for my meager purposes. etcher, please post results as i'm mos def curious (although i may do same this weekend) and, of course, for others' benefit. i'll post too.

btw, any consensus on swapping bb and for which one, since i've heard this fails over time with pistas? some people suggested the truvativ gigabyte. the actual cranks seem decent. tia.

My conex was only around $25. There are some models that are over $50. I would still try a better and bigger chain before a chainring.

Good Luck

I've got a similar problem on my Bianchi (pre-pista, though) and I thought it was the chainring. I got a new chainring, still there. I think I taco'd the BB - it's coming from the right side, and it's louder on the upstroke if I pull hard with my right foot.

Maybe soon I'll be able to post how I stupidly stripped the threads on my BB and need a new frame :)

I would think getting a bigger chain to fix a noise would be a bad idea.
Sure the noise would be gone, but wouldn't everything not fit as nice.
like putting a bandaid over a gunshot wound without taking out the slug.
jeff

I would think getting a bigger chain to fix a noise would be a bad idea.
Sure the noise would be gone, but wouldn't everything not fit as nice.
like putting a bandaid over a gunshot wound without taking out the slug.
jeff

I'm pretty sure that the pista comes with 1/8 chain/cog/ring, not 3/32 (not 100% though - never owned a pista). I don't know how or why there's a 3/32 on it now. But switching the two (either way) will result in noise. I had a 3/32 cog on the back wheel of one bike for awhile, and a 1/8 chain and ring - it made a lot of noise.

Don't know why, but it's true.

I'm pretty sure that the pista comes with 1/8 chain/cog/ring, not 3/32 (not 100% though - never owned a pista). I don't know how or why there's a 3/32 on it now. But switching the two (either way) will result in noise. I had a 3/32 cog on the back wheel of one bike for awhile, and a 1/8 chain and ring - it made a lot of noise.

Don't know why, but it's true.

I haven't yet physically checked my bike, i got the 3/32 number off the bianchi site for the pista specs.

I haven't yet physically checked my bike, i got the 3/32 number off the bianchi site for the pista specs.

Weird - I just kind of assumed it was traditional track pitch.

So did switching the chianring and chain work?

I have the 2005 Bianchi Pista which has the Sugino RD Crank. The 2005 Bianchi Pista drive train appears to be 3/32. The drive train was a slightly noisey until I changed the chain to a SRAM PC68 and set the chainline straight for use with a Surly Cog. The chainring is not quite round so chain tension is important to making it quiet.

I always ride highend road bicyles and they are all dead quiet.

It seems that the Track bicycle requires everything to be precise. As every adjustment to chainline and tension seem to quiet drive train.

I also have an ACS Freewheel which is a Clinking, Clanking, Rattling piece of junk. I am still trying to quiet it by cleaning and greasing it. One of the pawls seems to get stuck and creates a clinking sounds every hundred yards or so. . . The engagement is slow and clanks. . .

I will most likely buy the 2005 Pista Concept frame and build it up with quality parts as soon as they are available.

I also have an ACS Freewheel which is a Clinking, Clanking, Rattling piece of junk. I am still trying to quiet it by cleaning and greasing it. One of the pawls seems to get stuck and creates a clinking sounds every hundred yards or so. . . The engagement is slow and clanks. . .
If you used straight grease, that's probably the problem. Flush it out with degreaser and use heavy oil or a 50/50 mix of grease/oil. Grease can cause the pawls to stick.

If you used straight grease, that's probably the problem. Flush it out with degreaser and use heavy oil or a 50/50 mix of grease/oil. Grease can cause the pawls to stick.

I suspect that the freewheel is NOS and has been on the shelve for a while.

This morning I submerged the ACS Freewheel in a petroleum based degreaser. It should desolve the old grease by the time I get home this afternoon. Then I'll lightly grease it as you have suggested with 50/50 mix of Slick 50 Wheelbearing Grease and Oil.

I am riding in the Tour of Hope this weekend in DC and I can't locate(locally) a White Industries ENO freewheel in time. I also find it difficult to pay the $89 "overpriced" price for the ENO. I don't care how good they are $89 seems about triple the value and worth.

I am riding in the Tour of Hope this weekend in DC and I can't locate(locally) a White Industries ENO freewheel in time. I also find it difficult to pay the $89 "overpriced" price for the ENO. I don't care how good they are $89 seems about triple the value and worth.
Try College Park bikes for the ENO, they should have them in stock. I believe I paid $79 for one there. I know it's tough to bite off that price, but let me say, as a general cheapskate, they are worth it. I finally reasoned that people pay quite a bit for a decent rear hub. I've got a Surly which is fine quality at a reasonable price. That plus the ENO probably set me back $150 total, same as the cost of a decent rear hub and less than half of a pimpy King.

A bonus about the ENO: besides have replaceable bearings you can replace the "cog" for around $40.

2004 pistas at least have a 3/32 drivetrain, 48 chainring and 16 cog, and the chainring has a BCD of 130, as I have learned in my ongoing attempt to improve it, or at least that's what I hope the 1/8 stuff I get will do. Ordered from business cycles, putting on a 46/17 this week... I'll tell you how it goes.

Try College Park bikes for the ENO, they should have them in stock. I believe I paid $79 for one there. I know it's tough to bite off that price, but let me say, as a general cheapskate, they are worth it. I finally reasoned that people pay quite a bit for a decent rear hub. I've got a Surly which is fine quality at a reasonable price. That plus the ENO probably set me back $150 total, same as the cost of a decent rear hub and less than half of a pimpy King.

A bonus about the ENO: besides have replaceable bearings you can replace the "cog" for around $40.

College Park Cycles tried to ******** me. They want $94 for steel and $180 for TI - "nuts"

I'll live with the Clink and Clank of the ACS until a better deal comes along - I soaked the ACS in solvent all day and oiled with some light oil last evening but it's still the same as before - "noisey"

Since changing the chain and setting the chain line it's quiet in the fixed mode but the ACS Freewheel must be removed or it will rattle with each bump in the road. I really need to learn to skid/stop and forget about the freewheel?

I am really considering selling the 2005 Pista and buying and building a 2005 Pista Concept when available.

so good news: I put on the 1/8 stuff and the noise is greatly reduced. I also dig the 46x17 gearing.

so good news: I put on the 1/8 stuff and the noise is greatly reduced. I also dig the 46x17 gearing.

I finally got a Shimano 18T freehwheel(48x18T) and now my Pista is quiet. I could not take the clatter that ACS freewheel produced when pedaling. The Shimano is so quiet. Now to adjust the headset "again"

Do you notice your headset loosening? Could it be because of the fork flexing when braking?

Do you have a proper set of headset wrenches?

You want to use the headset wrench to tighten the bottom and then get a big f'ing crescent wrench and crank the lock nut down on top of it. It shouldn't loosen.

Do you have a proper set of headset wrenches?

You want to use the headset wrench to tighten the bottom and then get a big f'ing crescent wrench and crank the lock nut down on top of it. It shouldn't loosen.

My Pista uses a threadless stem, fork and VP Aheadset. . . It's tight tonight, we'll see how long it lasts. . .

Sorry to bring up a very old thread (for the second time), but there was never really an answer given in the thread (short of replacing the drivetrain all together). I recently got a chain for a bike I’m building up. It is the KMC 810 BMX/Track “Kool” Chain (they make it in 3/32 and it is around $14/$15). I’m a few weeks out from the completion of the build up, so I put the new chain on my 03 Pista in hopes that the drivetrain would shut the **** up. It did! Yeah quiet drivetrain.