Clunks and Twangs
 

I've just set my SS up as a fixie. No problems the first week or so. I now get some "cluncks & twangs" from the rear end (as far as I can tell as I can't seem to recreate it on the stand). The bikes rear end, BTW.

At first I thought the chain may have a tight link, but don't see one at least under no-load on the stand. I've been playing around with my chain line to see if that helps. Looks like I have to snug up my cones a bit because there's a little too much lateral play, Anything else I might be overlooking? I'm probably due for a b/b re-build too, but I don't think that's the issue.

Cheers

Cam

Perhaps your chain is pulled too tight?

I know mine gets a bit noisy when I have the chain too tight - I wouldn't describe that particular noise as a twang, but maybe that's what it is. I'd say start with slackening chain slightly. A loose hub cup & cone might make a clunk if the wheel was far enough out of adjustment. I'd think you could hear something from BB if you yank on crank (the bike's, of course) when bike is in the stand...you'd surely "feel" some play if that was the issue. Anyway, good luck!

For the clunks: tighten those cones and do the BB. They need to be done anyway and it will eliminate those as potential areas.

For the twangs: new wheel build? If so, the spokes probably weren't properly de-stressed and retensioned.

Also, make sure the chain is all lubed up.

check that your chainline is good. if its only a little bit off, sometimes a link wont mesh smoothly with the cog, resulting in a clunk/tick noise

Try the chain ring bolts. Trust me on this.

Have you centered your chainring? If you have loose and tight spots in your chain you might need to.

Thanks for all the thoughts. It is a new wheel, but the problem is persistent enough and seems to be in the same area of the pedalling cycle that I'm considering it likely to be a drivetrain problem. The chain may be too tight as I was a little paranoid about dumping a chain with a slack chain, but I have about 3/8" deflection at midpath. I'll probably replace the chainring while I'm at it. I had the ring on the inside of the spider for the SS setup and have moved it back to the outside for the fixie, so it may be worn enough to be making some noise.

Thanks for all the prompt and helpful responses.

Cheers

Cam

As it turns out, the factory Suzue hub had an odd size bearing in it. Very weird. Hubs have been rebuilt and no problems so far. Thanks again for all the ideas.

Cheers

Cam