Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

Chain Vibration question

Search
Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Chain Vibration question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-07-09 | 01:27 AM
  #1  
TheRealNicola's Avatar
Thread Starter
Daily Commuter
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo, Colorado

Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Gary fisher wahoo

Chain Vibration question

Hello there I was lubing my chain when I noticed that on certain points when I rotate the cranks the chain starts slack starts to vibrate(don't know if thats the right word) but it moves up and down rapidly. kinda crazy looking. My question is, is that normal? Stiff chain or something? I'll try to post a vid of it tommorrow.
TheRealNicola is offline  
Reply
Old 04-07-09 | 04:07 AM
  #2  
diff_lock2's Avatar
Senior_Member2
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Finlando NOT: Orlando, Fl

Bikes: Beater + Nishiki Bigfoot X-29

It is normal, but not safe. Mine gets really tight and super loose, and I have dropped the chain tons of times. Still waiting on my new crank and chain ring.
diff_lock2 is offline  
Reply
Old 04-07-09 | 06:06 AM
  #3  
AngryScientist's Avatar
Lost
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,627
Likes: 164
From: nutley, nj
is your chain tension correct? your cog/chainring may be out-of-round or eliptical, take some measurements. how about the chainline, if it isnt consistently straight through he full revolution, something may be bent. all of these conditions will require some difference corrective action.
AngryScientist is offline  
Reply
Old 04-07-09 | 08:21 AM
  #4  
TheRealNicola's Avatar
Thread Starter
Daily Commuter
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo, Colorado

Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Gary fisher wahoo

Ah i see, what would be a solution. New cog/chainring? whichever is out of whack?
TheRealNicola is offline  
Reply
Old 04-07-09 | 09:06 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
its your chainring, its not perfectly concentric with the axis of rotation of the cranks. its not a terrible thing, lots of bikes have this, but if its causing you to drop your chain, then you should probably switch to a higher quality chainring
axcxnj is offline  
Reply
Old 04-07-09 | 10:08 AM
  #6  
TheRealNicola's Avatar
Thread Starter
Daily Commuter
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo, Colorado

Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Gary fisher wahoo

Okay cool, I havent dropped the chain yet just noticed it and nothing bad has happened from it. Just wondering what it was. Thanks guys
TheRealNicola is offline  
Reply
Old 04-07-09 | 10:14 AM
  #7  
Spawn of Satan
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
READ THIS

Scroll down to CHAIN TENSION.
captsven is offline  
Reply
Old 04-07-09 | 10:33 AM
  #8  
JohnDThompson's Avatar
Old fart
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,306
Likes: 5,211
From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Originally Posted by TheRealNicola
Hello there I was lubing my chain when I noticed that on certain points when I rotate the cranks the chain starts slack starts to vibrate(don't know if thats the right word) but it moves up and down rapidly. kinda crazy looking. My question is, is that normal? Stiff chain or something? I'll try to post a vid of it tommorrow.
If you're using a road chainring it may be slightly out of round. Try loosening the chainring bolts and cranking it around a bit, then retightning; this can sometimes reduce the wobble effect.

A bona fide track ring is usually made to tighter tolerances than most road rings, if a new ring is an option for you.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.