New chain/cassette - lots of noise
#1
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Washington, DC
Bikes: CAAD10 5, Trek 1000 Alpha Series
New chain/cassette - lots of noise
I recently replaced my stock 105 cassette (12-27) and chain with a Tiagra cassette (12-28) and KMC X10.93 chain and suddenly it is making a lot of noise. I readjusted the rear derailleur and it shifts perfectly, except that it is very noisy. If I turn the crankset backwards it is not very smooth though. I put the old cassette back on and the noise is still the same so I assume the problem is with the chain/derailleur. Any trouble shooting advice?
#2
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From: Salinas , Ca.
Bikes: Bike Nashbar AL-1 ,Raligh M50 , Schwinn Traveler , and others
some chains go on one way and maybe you have your upside down . try flipping the chain and see if that help . Other than that try oiling the chain and see what happen then .
#3
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Chain noise comes in a few varieties. There's the clatter of the chain touching the next larger sprocket. The buzzing of the chain coming off the side of teeth (usually loudest or most obvious on the inside of the cassette with the chain on the outside chainring), the purr or whirr of normal chain noise, which is louder if either the chain or sprocket are worn. A slightly different purr from chordal action, most noticeable on the small rear sprockets, and of course the chirping or squeaking of poor lubrication.
Sometimes different chains and/or cassettes make more noise than normal because of subtle changes in the shape of the plates or cut of the teeth.
If you can't spot a cause, try to compare the sound to other chain noises so we have a sense of what the problem might be.
OTOH, you can always ride it a while, because chains and cassettes often break in with each other and run fine later.
Sometimes different chains and/or cassettes make more noise than normal because of subtle changes in the shape of the plates or cut of the teeth.
If you can't spot a cause, try to compare the sound to other chain noises so we have a sense of what the problem might be.
OTOH, you can always ride it a while, because chains and cassettes often break in with each other and run fine later.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#4
i changed a chain on my ultegra touring bike
and it was grinding like hell for a while
i learned to ignore it until one day
after struggling up the big hill on my way home
i took a close look at it because it was really bugging me
turns out i had routed the chain improperly through the derailleur
and it was dragging over a little tab
that it should have been passing neatly underneath without touching
the moral of the story is
make sure the chain is routed properly through the derailleur
and it was grinding like hell for a while
i learned to ignore it until one day
after struggling up the big hill on my way home
i took a close look at it because it was really bugging me
turns out i had routed the chain improperly through the derailleur
and it was dragging over a little tab
that it should have been passing neatly underneath without touching
the moral of the story is
make sure the chain is routed properly through the derailleur
#5
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
This is a common error. A quick and easy diagnostic is to back pedal and watch if the top loop sags. If it does, that means there's friction in the drive train, either a sticky freehub or, likely in your case, the chain dragging in the RD someplace.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#6
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 635
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From: Washington, DC
Bikes: CAAD10 5, Trek 1000 Alpha Series
The chain is routed correctly (I've made the same error myself) and the noise isn't the usual suspects (rubbing cogs/derailleur plates). Since its shifting well I might try it out on the road see how loud it really is. Part of me thinks that since I purchased lower end parts they might not be as smooth and silent as what I had before
#7
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
The chain is routed correctly (I've made the same error myself) and the noise isn't the usual suspects (rubbing cogs/derailleur plates). Since its shifting well I might try it out on the road see how loud it really is. Part of me thinks that since I purchased lower end parts they might not be as smooth and silent as what I had before
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#8
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Also understand that the smaller the rear cog the more notchy each chain link/tooth mesh will be. 11 tooth cogs are really knocky sometimes. The greater the number of cogs the narrower the window of best index adjustment there is. Tolerances are reduces as the cog count goes up. Andy.
#9
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Washington, DC
Bikes: CAAD10 5, Trek 1000 Alpha Series
something is either rubbing or not sitting well somewhere. i can feel it in the pedal stroke. i recorded a video that MAY allow you to hear what i'm talking about. apologies in advance for the shoddy camera work. i might be crazy, but this should feel smoother than it does
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JXXY...ature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JXXY...ature=youtu.be
#10
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,371
Likes: 5,515
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Is the chain not running onto the lower pulley smoothly? Does this noise happen in all gears? Has the hanger and cage (this being the more important issue) been checked for proper alignment? Andy.





