sygyzy

Disclaimer: I cross posted this in the mechanics thread.

My new fixed gear bike has a noisy drive train. It sounds sort of rachety. I can't tell if it's the rear hub or the bottom bracket. Here's a video. Sorry about the low quality. Ignore the ping sounds towards the end. It's from the straps/cages.

Any help would be appreciated.

Watch the video

nathbdp

watch out for depth charges dawg

lvleph

The ping was from his pedal hitting his bike rack, I think. It sounds like your chain is probably too tight.

Az B

Mine makes the exact same sound. I've played with the chainline, and got the chain tension just right, but it still makes that noise. It gets slightly quieter right after I lube it, but 70 miles later it's still making that noise. I've also tried different chainrings, different cogs, dufferent lubes, and a new chain. No difference.

FWIW, I've got 1000 miles on the drivetrain with no problem, so there's nothing wrong with riding it that way.

Az

666pack

while fixed gear bikes are definitly quiet[er] than geared bikes, it's not like they're completely silent.

bonechilling

I can't hear a thing wrong with that. Sounds normal.

baxtefer

+1
it's a chain. it makes noise.
it makes less noise if you lube it.
lube wears off and must be reapplied periodically

sygyzy

Wow, I should have clarified but you are absolutely right. I am impressed you were able to figure that out since you can't even see my pedal!

And to everyone else - really? There's nothing wrong? Just sounds a bit loud to me, much louder than say multigeared road bike. I'll lube it some more. And I'm still taking opinions

lamalex

Is this post sarcastic? I honestly can't tell. Did putting some more slack in the chain fix it?

mihlbach

The chain looks like it has plenty of slack in it. The noise sounds to me like a new chain not meshing properly with a worn out cog or perhaps vice versa.

cc700

yeah i'd get a new chain if retensioning it doesn't work.


and when i get those ping sounds it's from the pedal... stupid cheap bike work stands.

sygyzy

The post was not sarcastic at all. I really was impressed you figured out where the ping was from!

I will move the wheel forward 1/4" this evening, when I get home from work.

If I do get a new chain, should I get the a different brand? How would a new chain affect anything? This one is brand new. It's a Izumi Standard Track 1/8"

jrod

I've had this problem, your chain line may be off a little.
That worked for me.

krayzkrn

Just slack the chain a tad more and see if it goes away. I get that same noise often because my chainring isnt completely centered and my chain is too tight.

lamalex

I'm not understanding, you're impressed people figured out what the ping was from? It says in your original post.

If it's already a brand new Izumi then a new chain probably won't help, Izumi makes decent stuff. 1/4" might be too much, don't judge it on distance the wheel moves, judge based on how much slack is in the chain. About 1/2" of vertical motion is how much slack I keep in mine and it's very quiet. Can you give a shot of the chainline? Maybe the chainline is off. It may also just be a low quality cog, put on a dura-ace or EAI cog and see if it makes the same noise.

Boss Moniker

Fixed gear drivetrains are really picky.. I bought a whole bunch of high end parts (cost a little under $100 for cog + chainring + chain), and they're loud as hell. The one combination that was quietest for me (I couldn't hear it at all unless I was resisting the pedals on a downhill or slowing down quickly) was EAI 19T 3/32" Steel cog + Salsa 3/32" chainring + SRAM PC-68 Chain with masterlink. The chainline was perfect, I think.

time bandit

chainline. i know that noise.

carleton

Have you tried puting a 3/32" cog on the rear?

Nick D.o.a

take your cog and your chain, lock them in a small room together and tell them their not going anywhere until they work out their differences.

lvleph

He put it in there after he realized someone may think that was the problem.

lamalex

ah hah, the magic of 'edit'

operator

If those are 1/8 components you are using, switch to 3/32 chainring, chain, cog. Guarantee you it will be quieter as long as your chainline is correct.

Even if it isn't, the 3/32 stuff will be MUCH quieter.

sygyzy

Hi,

Thanks for your help everyone. I'd prefer not to switch cogs. I want to try to get the parts I have working. I am not sure what the best angle for the chainline shot is so here are some pictures. Sorry if they are not correct. Sugino 75 BB, wheel, and cranks. EAI cog, Dura Ace lockring, IRO hub.

carleton

Dude. It's the cog. Your chain line looks good.

Here's an easy test. See if you can find someone with an old, worn out 3/32" cog that they would give/loan you to test with.

I know it would be a strange request. But, hey, I used to have one along with a box full of forks, bars, old chains, saddles, and other doodads.

marqueemoon

I agree.