Cross chaining on 1 drive
#1
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 41
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Cross chaining on 1 drive
I just got a Sirrus x5 yesterday and was only able to take it for a 5 minute spin....When I was in the lowest gear drive train was pretty noisy until I moved up a few gears....I know that cross chaining is not good but...that's the only option...will the noise eventually get better as things work in?...Hoping I'm not sorry I didn't go for a double front chaining.
Thanks for any input!
Thanks for any input!
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4,244
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From: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Bikes: More bikes than riders
A 1x drivetrain will tend to be noisy on the largest couple of cassette sprockets. That's just the nature of the driveline geometry. The chain ring on the crank set is probably not centered on the rear sprocket. It's probably a little more outboard than that (towards the smaller sprockets). You generally tend to spend more time in your smaller sprockets (at speed) than you do in the larger sprockets. If you find yourself more commonly in the larger half of the cassette, you might consider down-sizing the chain ring by 2-4 teeth. Specialized's website suggests the Sirrus X 5.0 has a 32t chain ring, but I think that has to be a mistake -- I think it's more likely a 42t chain ring. If that's the case, you could try a 38t chain ring. This'll shift your riding down towards the smaller end of the cassette.
Another reason for the noise on the larger sprockets is the chain and derailleur are under more tension there (the derailleur cage is pulled pretty far forward) and this extra driveline tension usually creates more "running noise". Again, running in the lower half of the cassette should be quieter, and you can change your chain ring out for a smaller one if the current one forces you into the big half of the cassette all the time.
Another reason for the noise on the larger sprockets is the chain and derailleur are under more tension there (the derailleur cage is pulled pretty far forward) and this extra driveline tension usually creates more "running noise". Again, running in the lower half of the cassette should be quieter, and you can change your chain ring out for a smaller one if the current one forces you into the big half of the cassette all the time.




