Originally Posted by lucklust
I just shredded my finger trying to figure out what the chain noise was
After I stop gushing blood, maybe you all can help... there's no noise at all when the chain is off, and the chainline is dead on. It makes the noise whether the chain is too tight, too loose, or perfect. The noise is coming from the engagement of the chain on the sprockets, especially the rear.
I'm gonna go cry now...
perhaps the rear cog isn't exactly true, and a varying tension throughout a revolution is causing some off noises? try checking your chain tension at various points, using the location of your pedals as a gauge (easier to do accurately if you have an even/even ratio). i've found that my chainring is sorta elliptical, and i've attributed my drivetrain clatter to the variance between a wee bit tight and a wee bit loose that occurs ever 2 seconds. just a thought.
-rob