|
Cog life
Hi,
I put this 16t Dura Ace cog on my bike a few days ago, and it was making some noise. Can anyone tell me if it's worn? Was trying to decide if it's just worn out and needs replacement, or if I should measure it to see if the noise was due to a difference in chainline between my old cog and this one. Thanks! Davehttps://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b95b0011b9.jpg |
It looks fine. Some cogs run a little more noisy than others. You could switch it out for something else if the noise bothers you, but I'd just make sure the whole drivetrain is clean and chain is lubed, and not worry about it. You're never going to have a silent drivetrain for very long.
|
If you can’t see a difference in your chainline without breaking out the callipers to measure it, then there’s really no chance that your chainline is the issue. Dura ace cogs are designed for racing. The tooth shape/profile, is designed for strength and positive engagement under heavy torque load. Some cogs are designed with smoother, rounder teeth profiles. My guess is this what’s causing the noise you’re hearing and I would guess it will get quieter over time. From what I can see in the photo, the teeth look fine. But if you’re asking if it’s worn, am I to assume you bought a used cog? |
Originally Posted by seau grateau
(Post 20593753)
It looks fine. Some cogs run a little more noisy than others. You could switch it out for something else if the noise bothers you, but I'd just make sure the whole drivetrain is clean and chain is lubed, and not worry about it. You're never going to have a silent drivetrain for very long.
Dave |
Originally Posted by seamuis
(Post 20593765)
If you can’t see a difference in your chainline without breaking out the callipers to measure it, then there’s really no chance that your chainline is the issue. Dura ace cogs are designed for racing. The tooth shape/profile, is designed for strength and positive engagement under heavy torque load. Some cogs are designed with smoother, rounder teeth profiles. My guess is this what’s causing the noise you’re hearing and I would guess it will get quieter over time. From what I can see in the photo, the teeth look fine. But if you’re asking if it’s worn, am I to assume you bought a used cog? The cog came from a friend. I'm running a 17t now, and wanted to try a 16 T. Its got some miles on it, but I found out the 16 T could fit on one side, and I can run a 17t freewheel without changing the chain length. Going to take this thing for a good spin! Dave |
Yeah, it's tough to keep on top of the cleaning, but having a drivetrain free of dirt, gunk, and grime makes a pretty significant difference.
|
Originally Posted by bonsai171
(Post 20593791)
I'll have to put the cog back on and really check out the chainline to see if there's a visible difference. Thanks for the background on the DA, almost sounds like its part of the design.
The cog came from a friend. I'm running a 17t now, and wanted to try a 16 T. Its got some miles on it, but I found out the 16 T could fit on one side, and I can run a 17t freewheel without changing the chain length. Going to take this thing for a good spin! Dave |
That cog looks like it has very little wear. I'm curious how the back of it looks, are the teeth silver from the black coating wearing off?
Despite the cog being used, it could just be that the cog is less worn than your chain and the tiny difference in spacing is making the noise. Most times when you introduce a new part (cog, chain or chainring) there is a break-in period where there will be some noise, but it'll quiet down after you put in some miles. |
Originally Posted by hardboiled718
(Post 20593923)
That cog looks like it has very little wear. I'm curious how the back of it looks, are the teeth silver from the black coating wearing off?
Despite the cog being used, it could just be that the cog is less worn than your chain and the tiny difference in spacing is making the noise. Most times when you introduce a new part (cog, chain or chainring) there is a break-in period where there will be some noise, but it'll quiet down after you put in some miles. Dave |
You might want to change you chain, but I have a feeling it'll still be a bit noisy in the beginning. As long as your chain line and tension is good, just need to give the parts time to mesh together and things usually quiet down.
|
Installing a new unstretched chain should definitely help. Dura Ace cogs are not necessarily noisy, depending on the chain that is used. I have a 16T 1/8” DA cog on two of my fixed gear bikes with a SRAM PC-7X chain, and they are both nearly silent. |
Originally Posted by hardboiled718
(Post 20594160)
You might want to change you chain, but I have a feeling it'll still be a bit noisy in the beginning. As long as your chain line and tension is good, just need to give the parts time to mesh together and things usually quiet down.
|
I used the Park cc-3.2 to measure the chain.. >.75% wear.
Dave |
Originally Posted by bonsai171
(Post 20594512)
I used the Park cc-3.2 to measure the chain.. >.75% wear.
Dave |
Originally Posted by seamuis
(Post 20594563)
yea, buy a new chain. If your chain is that worn, it’s the most likely cause of the noise as the chain rollers aren’t seating properly between the cog teeth. Dave |
Originally Posted by bonsai171
(Post 20595485)
Got a KMC Z410 laying around. Got the cog cleaned up a bit, and it runs nice now. I'll probably swap the chain this weekend, and maybe the lockring too. It is made of soft metal, and three notches deformed a bit when I removed it and re-installed it.
Dave https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...a-ace-lockring |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:34 AM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.