jcm

I'm hearing a 'swishing' sound coming from my BB on my Trek 520. It occurs with every crank rotation when I need to bear down some. Can't duplicate it when it's on the stand with no pressure. Seems to be when I push down on the right side. Any ideas? The bike has relatively few miles on it even tho it's a '98. I'm the only one that has ever put it to regular use. I'm sure the BB has never been out of it. Seems tight as ever with no lateral slop. Nothing is rubbing and the works are surgically clean and lubed. I'm new to mech stuff and I'm stumped.

Rowan

Have you lubricated the chain lately? If not, you might do so. A 'swishing' sound usually starts on my when the chain is dry.

I must admit, though, this is the first time I've heard "swishing" as a description for a chainring noise.

jcm

Yeah, I know what you mean. It's odd, alright. Definitely a swishing sound whenever the right crank goes down under pressure - not really audible on the flats unless heading into wind, just up grades. Everything's clean and lubed. Perhaps a cautionary trip to the LBS.

simplify

My chain makes exactly that noise too, when it's dry. That's a perfect description, it's a sort of "swishing" sound. On the right side, especially when bearing down on it pretty hard. Once I clean and lube the chain, it's much much quieter. I actually use that sound now to tell me when it's time to lube the chain. Since I use a "dry" lube (Prolink), that's pretty often.

jcm

Hmmm... dry lube. Now there's a common theme. I'll switch back to the teflon spray and see what happens. Thanks.

jcm

Rowan and lawkd:

Thanks for helping out on this subject. You were both right. The chain needed to be lubed. I was using dry lube and though it was good enough. I've switched back to spray teflon and the swishing sound is gone.