MightyLegnano

Hello guys

I just completed the restoration of an old road bike. The only problem that I can detect is the sound of the chain as it goes through the cogs. Instead of the smooth "hrrr" that can be heard in good adjusted bicycles, in mine the chain makes a strong "grrrr". That means that is the same sound as usual but heavier, like the chain doesnt glide nicely on the cogs but instead needs more power on the pedal to move (it doesn't, but it feels that way).

The front derailleur is ok, doesnt intervene or enything, so my guess is that the problem is located in the rear derailleur.

Even when I'm pedaling something doesn't seem right, I don't feel the effortless pedaling I feel in new bikes but rather a not-smooth uncomfortable feeling on my legs.

I hope that made you understand the problem. If not I will upload a video.

Hendo252 

Double/triple-check the chain as it goes through the rear derailler. It may be on the correct sides of the pulleys, but be on the wrong side of the tabs that are on some of the derailler cages near/between the pulleys.

Don't ask me how I know, but if you get the chain on the outside of one of those tabs, it will make the "grrrr" sound...

dsbrantjr

Are you running a new chain on worn cogs?

MightyLegnano

Hendo252, I'm not sure I get what you mean with the tabs of the Derailleur. Maybe you mean those metal parts that hold the jockey wheels in place? Would you mind explaining it again?

dsbrantjr, it's actually an old chain on an almost new cassette.

jack002

I had a rear der that I took apart and put the inside side of the cage back on 180 degrees out of the correct position. If you didn't look at the chain in it in motion and listen you'd never know it was wrong. It has that grrr sound to it that you describe. I caught it and corrected it, but it would have been a hard thing to detect by anyone later on.

MightyLegnano

Sounds very much like my case. You describe the same thing Hendo252 did right? I have a feeling that it's the same problem I have only I can't understand what thing could be put wrong

MightyLegnano

Oh man, how stupid I am. I just saw it. You both are so right! It is indeed upside down. Thank God for bikeforums!

dsbrantjr

Get youself a new chain, running an old chain on a new cassette is false economy since you are likely to wear the cogs prematurely. I suggest you get a chain with a reuseable master link for ease in installation and removal. Size it per this procedure, thread it correctly and you should be good to go. https://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html#chain

hueyhoolihan

sixty-five minutes from post to fix. maybe not a record, but pretty impressive.

MightyLegnano

Yes, I should buy a new one, definately. And that reuseable master link sounds so useful. I'm definitely going to get that one.

jack002

Awesome! Glad I could help you. It was a longshot (so I thought) but just had to chime in with what helped me. I know when I did it it was not apparent. You can't just look at it and see its in there wrong. (I had my cage that the 2 pully wheels bolt to on there 180 degrees out, it was basically upsidedown. The pully wheels both unscrew from it then if you don't pay attention to how it came apart you can put it back in all wrong, then things start to rub...)