Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Chain Rubbing Rivet on Big Ring

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Chain Rubbing Rivet on Big Ring

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-10-10 | 03:07 PM
  #1  
jhhall's Avatar
Thread Starter
SkreaminQuadz
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA

Bikes: 2005 Cannondale Prophet 1000, 2006 Litespeed Teramo, 2007 Bianchi San Jose, 2007 Surly Cross Check

Chain Rubbing Rivet on Big Ring

Okay - so I'll probably butcher this explanation for this call for help but here goes. I have a Litespeed Teramo and just installed a new FSA SLK Light crank with a new Dura Ace chain. However, I now have an issue where one of the rivets on the big ring is actually catching the chain. It occurs when the rear is on the smallest cog (12 tooth) and front is on the smallest ring (34 tooth). I clearly can't ride in this gear now, but what can I do to fix it? Can I shave the rivet down, remove the rivet (not sure what the purpose of it is), or is there another solution?

Thanks in advance for the help and please let me know if you have any questions. I tried taking a couple of pics of the rivet catching the chain.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Rivet Issue1 - Co&#.jpg (93.5 KB, 41 views)
File Type: jpg
Rivet Issue2 - Co&#.jpg (46.8 KB, 40 views)
jhhall is offline  
Reply
Old 07-10-10 | 03:19 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,438
Likes: 9
From: Oklahoma

Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50

You should not ride in the small chainring and small cassette cog combination. Cross-chaining is less efficient due to extra friction. Cross chaining will also cause components to wear faster.
If the chain rubs the side of the big chainring when on the small chainring and next to smallest cog you can correct this by shifting the crankset slightly to the right with a 2 mm bottom bracket spacer. These work very well if your bottom bracket is the conventional type, not the out board type.
Al1943 is offline  
Reply
Old 07-10-10 | 03:24 PM
  #3  
redtires's Avatar
Extra Medium Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 26
From: Erie, Co

Bikes: Fezzari Empire; State 6061 Allroad gravel; Scott Spark; Specialized Status 140

Edit: Deleted as Al1943 beat me to it!
__________________
Droping the hamer since '86
redtires is offline  
Reply
Old 07-10-10 | 03:25 PM
  #4  
Mechanic/Tourist
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,522
Likes: 12
From: Syracuse, NY

Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.

In addition to the cross chain issue remember that there is enough overlap between gear ratios on the different chainrings that the large chainring will likely have a gear very close to that same ratio, especially in these days of closely spaced freewheels.
cny-bikeman is offline  
Reply
Old 07-10-10 | 03:39 PM
  #5  
jhhall's Avatar
Thread Starter
SkreaminQuadz
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA

Bikes: 2005 Cannondale Prophet 1000, 2006 Litespeed Teramo, 2007 Bianchi San Jose, 2007 Surly Cross Check

Thanks - I do realize this is not recommended for various reasons. However, I've never had an issue getting this to work on any bike I've had or even with this bike but with a different crank. While I don't use this combo often, I do use it in certain situations.

Al1943 - thanks for the spacer recommendation. I never thought of that. I may take it to my LBS as well for a recommendation since I've got to go there for a spacer anyhow.
jhhall is offline  
Reply
Old 07-11-10 | 12:15 PM
  #6  
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
just another gosling
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,563
Likes: 2,673
From: Everett, WA

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Just went to FSAs on our tandem - same problem. Can't use either of the smallest cogs in the middle ring. Moving crank probably not best option. Moves chainline, which is probably where it's supposed to be. I just relearned my shift pattern and now spend much more time in the big ring. Less chain tension that way, too, so longer chain life.
Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Reply
Old 07-11-10 | 12:50 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,438
Likes: 9
From: Oklahoma

Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50

Moving the crankset 2 mm would not hurt a thing. A BB spacer is an easy installation and can be done without removing the chain.
Al1943 is offline  
Reply
Old 07-11-10 | 04:14 PM
  #8  
Guest
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,768
Likes: 6
From: Grid Reference, SK

Bikes: I never learned to ride a bike. It is my deepest shame.

I have a similar issue: THere are two televisions in my house...
one automatically turns the volume down when there is no signal, but the other one gives me the full noise of the 'snow.' I sometimes leave the television turned to watch 'snow', but the noise is annoying. Can I modify my television to fix this problem?

To the OP:
My advice is to avoid cross-chaining.
While I am not sure because I never wanted to try it, will adding a spacer to one side of the bb not make the space between the crank and the frame different on either side? (Q- factor is different on either side). Is this change ever perceptable or annoying to anyone?

I have ridden with chainrings with rivets as shifting aids, and chainrings with little machined notches as shifting aids. The rivets tend to catch the chain when you cross-chain, the notches do not.

Also, the rivets actually seem to help the shifting, the notches do not.
LarDasse74 is offline  
Reply
Old 07-11-10 | 04:36 PM
  #9  
Mechanic/Tourist
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,522
Likes: 12
From: Syracuse, NY

Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.

Originally Posted by jhhall
While I don't use this combo often, I do use it in certain situations.
All you have to do is find a similar ratio with the large chainwheel. 34/12 is 2.83. Just divide your large chainwheel teeth by 2.83 and that will tell you what rear cog gives you the same ratio. Absolute worst case is that it will be off by 3% or 1/2 of a 1 tooth jump.
cny-bikeman is offline  
Reply
Old 07-11-10 | 04:45 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: South Australia

Bikes: Aegis Aro Svelte

Which brand of crankset did the FSA replace?

The major brands(Shimano, Campy, SRAM, FSA) do have different width outboard bearings. SRAM has the widest by far. Minor shimming may work on the Shimano/FSA style.
wheelgrabber is offline  
Reply
Old 07-11-10 | 04:53 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 2
From: boston, ma
common problem with compact cranks, dont cross chain. chainline for double cranks remain the same across many manufacturers, sram measures theirs differently for some reason.
reptilezs is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-10 | 06:22 AM
  #12  
jhhall's Avatar
Thread Starter
SkreaminQuadz
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA

Bikes: 2005 Cannondale Prophet 1000, 2006 Litespeed Teramo, 2007 Bianchi San Jose, 2007 Surly Cross Check

Originally Posted by wheelgrabber
Which brand of crankset did the FSA replace?
I replaced a Truvativ Rouleur. I actually really liked that crank, I just developed a wobble in the big ring, plus I found a screamin' deal on this one.

It's only one rivet that causes the problem - the others pass just fine. Which is why I was thinking of potentially shaving that one rivet down (assuming the spacer idea does not work).

Thanks for recommendations everyone!!
jhhall is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-10 | 07:32 AM
  #13  
joejack951's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,103
Likes: 96
From: Wilmington, DE

Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)

I'd be careful adding that spacer. FSA cranks rely on having a specific distance between the bearings in order to get the proper preload (Shimano does not). you may find that after you tighten the cranks down that they no longer spin smoothly, or at all. I would advise simply avoiding that gear combo. It shouldn't be hard given that it's only the smallest cog. Shaving down that rivet will make upshifting to the big ring slower as that rivet is designed to pick up the chain.

One more thought, if you are currently using an 8 or 9 speed chain, switching to a narrower chain would yield a little more clearance to the big ring.
joejack951 is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-10 | 08:27 AM
  #14  
jhhall's Avatar
Thread Starter
SkreaminQuadz
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA

Bikes: 2005 Cannondale Prophet 1000, 2006 Litespeed Teramo, 2007 Bianchi San Jose, 2007 Surly Cross Check

Originally Posted by joejack951
Shaving down that rivet will make upshifting to the big ring slower as that rivet is designed to pick up the chain.

One more thought, if you are currently using an 8 or 9 speed chain, switching to a narrower chain would yield a little more clearance to the big ring.
JJ951 - thanks. Now that I know the rivet has a purpose, I won't mess with it. I had no idea, I learn something new every time I come here!

I currently use a DA 10speed chain. Is there any chain narrower than that?
jhhall is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-10 | 08:41 AM
  #15  
joejack951's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,103
Likes: 96
From: Wilmington, DE

Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)

Originally Posted by jhhall
I currently use a DA 10speed chain. Is there any chain narrower than that?
Campy's 11 speed chains are more narrow but that would be a harsh solution to this "problem." Do you need your current lowest gear? Swapping the 34 tooth chainring for a 36T would improve the situation and probably shift a little better too.
joejack951 is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-10 | 09:09 AM
  #16  
jhhall's Avatar
Thread Starter
SkreaminQuadz
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA

Bikes: 2005 Cannondale Prophet 1000, 2006 Litespeed Teramo, 2007 Bianchi San Jose, 2007 Surly Cross Check

Originally Posted by joejack951
Do you need your current lowest gear? Swapping the 34 tooth chainring for a 36T would improve the situation and probably shift a little better too.
Yes, I actually do use my 34x27 combo quite a bit. I do a fair bit of climbing and tend to drop into it more often than I'd like.
jhhall is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JBHoren
Classic & Vintage
9
02-27-16 01:50 PM
robtown
Bicycle Mechanics
3
08-09-13 07:38 PM
koolerb
Bicycle Mechanics
22
12-30-12 08:04 PM
SilverStretch
Bicycle Mechanics
3
09-04-10 11:57 AM
fitzdawg
Bicycle Mechanics
3
07-10-10 06:05 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.