why can i "feel" my chain?
 

im sort of new to riding a fixed gear - i took off my chain, cleaned it, and put it back on last night. now, when i ride my bike, i can really "feel" the chain... especially when im riding slowly/coming to a rolling stop. it's like a vibration coming through my cranks. or maybe is it my bb? if i spin my pedals when im not actually riding (ie my bike upside-down on the floor), i can hear and feel it... any ideas of what this could be? everything is lubed and tightened. thanks

too tightened.

i really dont think it is... it has a decent (not too much) amount of play

Make sure thats its relatively loose all the way around, try chain tension at many various points on the crank rotation. About half an inch of slack when you press on the chain is what youre going for.

I'm actually experiencing this as well. At first, I figured my chain was too tight. Put some slack in it and the sound is still there. I'm wondering if my chainline is just slightly off...could that be the cause?

Grease? Chainline could be an issue, as well. Changed your crankset recently?

yes.

also check rear wheel alignment.

it's Zen.

You mean because it cant be described?

I could be that the combination of cog/chainwheel/chain length is allowing the chain to vibrate along a fundamental frequency of the chain. I'm not sure this is even possible, just some brainstorming to help with ideas.

Oh, and most people don't realize how slack they can run their chain. Slack is good, as long as the chain can't jump off itself.

Be one with the drivetrain.

What twelsch is saying is that if you try to ride your bike across a bridge you'll cause an earthquake.

The chain feels you too.

Are your BB bb's f'd up?

Its had to diagnose the problem without knowing how many miles are on your chain and other drive-train parts. Is the stuff all fairly new? It sounds to me like you chain is worn and needs replacement.

Pictures!

Was the chain removed and re-installed using a master/quick-link? If not, stiff link where it was re-joined?

how did you clean it? what did you grease it with?

I've had new chains feel bumpy, like a faint sensation of each link engaging w/cog tooth - even with appropriate tension. Went away after 50mi or so.

I'm getting this from my chainline being off a few mills.. Everytime I ride, it reminds me to get it fixed!

Is it unusual for the back wheel to need to be at an angle to accomadate for the difference between the line-up? It's happening on mine, and means I'm cycling diagonally, kinda like this guy I see around town..

http://www.bikingbis.com/_photos/sideways21.sized.jpg

This is exactly what I'm going through. after playing around with the alignment of my rear wheel this afternoon, I determined that when my wheel is at a slight angle (away from the chainring), the sound stops. How can this be solved...by putting a thin spacer or two beneath my cog?