Chain Vibration question
#1
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.
#2
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.
#3
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.
#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
#8
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,306
Likes: 5,211
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
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.
A bona fide track ring is usually made to tighter tolerances than most road rings, if a new ring is an option for you.






