Chain Buzzzzzzz
 

Newbie question here for the board...

How much chain buzzzzz is normal when pedaling? My Trek 4500 seems like it's louder than it should be when I'm pedaling on flat roads. I always thought the chain should be pretty quiet as you pedal... is this a matter of getting it tuned and adjusted, or is it something that is normal? The shifting is very smooth and the pedaling is fluid... so I know there's no mechanical problem that is impairing functioning. It seems to buzz the loudest in the largest front chainring and when I stop pedaling and just coast, the buzz is still there.
The bike is relatively new with less than 100 total miles, almost all on the street...

Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

If it still buzzes when you're not pedaling, it's not the chain, unless it's rubbing on the tyre (unlikely). Try to isolate where the sound is actually coming from and get back to us

Take it back to the LBS and have them sort it out.

Freewheel ratchet gear clicking?
It's weird cause I notice people with really expensive bikes, their freewheels buzz a LOT louder than my OCR2.

Have you ever heard a Chris King freewheel?

Your chain is buzzing without pedaling? Dude, that's weird. Most chain noises while in the big ring are caused by the front changer cage rubbing the chain, either trim the shifter or screw down the barrel adjuster.
If it is the chain, then it is really really clean and you're hearing the rollers shaking against the plates as it vibrates and shakes while...naw, it can't be.
I know, it's your seat pack, there is something in your seat pack.

Perhaps that 'dead' rattle snake he picked up from the side of the road as a souvenier and put in his seat pack wasn't such a good idea after all as it turns out the snake was only briefly stunned after being hit with a soda can from a passing motorist and it's now angry...

There's a bee in your Camelbak.

Thanks for the replies everyone...

So I took the bees, crickets and rattlesnake out of the seat pack... that helped a little.

Just to clarify a couple points. The chain doesn't buzz when I'm not pedaling... but the buzzing gets louder when I do pedal. I looked for chain rub against the front changer cage... nope, no rub. There nothing obviously rubbing in places where it shouldn't. The noise seems to be coming from the rear cassette/derailleur area.

I'm going to take it in to the LBS where I bought it and have them take a look. Thanks again for the thoughts.

If it's skipping and you can't dial in the barrel adjuster then the chain is shot.
Or if it's the derailluer pullies you could oil them, but that just attracks crude.
Chirpping, skipping, squeeking, ...it's tough.

You're sure it's not the freewheel right?