Gearhead65

I recently installed a new set of wheels on my Roubaix. I previously had stock Roval wheels with a SRAM Force (1070) 11-28 cassette and KMC X10SL chain (relatively new). This combination played well together.

I just put on a new wheelset and used a new SRAM Red (1090) 11-28 cassette and stayed with the X10SL chain. I made derailler tweaks as needed.

What I am finding is that I can't seem to completely tweak out some rattling in the drivetrain. There is always some rattling like the rear derailler index is not quite aligned. I can adjust the barrel adjuster while riding with no luck.

I'm wondering if I should switch back to a SRAM Red chain. Something I noticed with studying the 'oil' patterns on the new cassette it that you could tell where the chain rivet ends were making oil marks on the next larger cassette gear. Makes we wonder if the X10SL chain is infitesably wider than a SRAM Red chain...and maybe the clearances are slightly tighter in the Red cassette.

I also do notice that if I fully cross chain (I know, I know...), it also seems to be more noisey compared to the previous cassette/chain combination.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

joejack951

How many miles are on the chain? It's not a chain width issue though it could be a derailler adjustment issue. Not all cassettes mount in exactly the same spot.

Gearhead65

Chain prob has 1000 miles on it.
Cassette doesn't mount in exactly the same spot. I've done adjustments for that on both high/low and index.

joejack951

Have you measured the chain? I'd want to install a new one if it was even close to 12 1/16" over 24 links.

ultraman6970

U cant compare the kmc with the Sram. Dunno why u changed the chain, kmc chains and specially the one u had is probably the best in the market big time. Good luck guessing this one, i would put the kmc back.

Gearhead65

I have a KMC on there currently. Read closer.

FWIW - Other posts on other forums suggest staying with KMC anyway.

I'll measure for stretch tonight...but the chain is only a few months old.

FBinNY 

It might not be that the KMC is wider on the outside, but it might be slightly wider on the inside allowing it to move over a bit more on sprockets than the Red chain did.

Try this quick test -- shift to any middle gear and slip a dollar bill between the chain and the next larger sprocket. Now push the chain across with your finger and see if it'll move far enough to trap the bill. If so, it has enough float on the sprockets to brush adjacent ones and that's your your problem.

It isn't really a mechanical problem, but if the noise bothers you, go back to Red when this chain wears out.

wheelgrabber

Red cassettes are known for being loud. They use OpenGlide versus PowerGlide on the Rival/Force cassettes. Some guys don't ride them because of the noise.

CCrew

I was waiting for someone to come up with the right answer.

SRAM Red chains (1090R) and SRAM red cassettes are the noisiest known to man. I gave up trying to get the noise out of a Red setup. I like a silent bike. Took someones advise and changed to a 6600 Ultegra cassette and the bike is quiet as a mouse.

If the noise you hear is a rattle that's like the trim is just a little bit out, yet no amount of trim quiets it, it's your issue

and the KMC chains are wonderful. stick with it.

Gearhead65

Yep...that's it. I like a quiet bike also, but I guess I'll just live with it. It's not too bad, I'm just looking for perfection. ;-)

wheelgrabber

The OpenGlide Red are supposed to shift faster than PowerGlide Force. Faster but noiser. They used to make Force PG & OG, but they discontinued the OG for 2010. The 2010 PG Force shift faster than any cassette I've ridden, so how much faster is gonna get?

Gearhead65

I did specifically notice that. The Red cassette on my new Souls does have a faster shift than the Force cassette that were on my Rovals. SRAM already was snappy....it just got snappier!