Noise from my drive chain
#1
Thread Starter
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
Noise from my drive chain
Lately I've been having some noise from my drive chain. The best I can describe it is the sound when you ride of a bunch of those little tiny gravel bits from the road. It's pretty faint, but it's noticeable. I can't exactly pinpoint what the problem is. My cranks are tight, my lockring is tight. I figured it's either my BB or my chain.
I think it is the chain because another thing I noticed is that when I start going really fast I hear a bit of creaking coming from somewhere down there, and then when I get off my bike my chain is significantly more slack. It doesn't look like the rear wheel is slipping on the ends or anything.
The bike is new, so is this just the normal process of breaking the bike in, or should I be worried?
I think it is the chain because another thing I noticed is that when I start going really fast I hear a bit of creaking coming from somewhere down there, and then when I get off my bike my chain is significantly more slack. It doesn't look like the rear wheel is slipping on the ends or anything.
The bike is new, so is this just the normal process of breaking the bike in, or should I be worried?
#2
Oil your chain a bit and wait it out. The bike is new and you need to allow time for your chain to flex/your drivetrain to get worn in a bit. And no bike will ever be completely silent, if the noise is really as quiet as you describe its probably nothing, just ride on. Id start to tinker if it gets substantially worse.
Last edited by gobby1095; 03-23-10 at 06:48 PM.
#4
Thread Starter
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
Alright. I'll throw some oil on it and see what happens. The creaking is definitely from the chain. I put some pressure on the chain with my finger and heard a similar noise.
#5
Your cog is slipping.



Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Likes: 100
From: Beverly MA
Bikes: EAI Bareknuckle
I just threw that out there about the saddle 'cause when I first put my Turbo on my bike the creaking was driving me mad until I oiled it.
Tighten your crank arms. They may be moving around on the spindle a little bit as you're riding.
Tighten your crank arms. They may be moving around on the spindle a little bit as you're riding.
#6
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 469
Likes: 6
From: Cape Cod
Bikes: Lotus Odyssey - Shogun 400 - '75 Raleigh Tourist - Raleigh Grand Prix - Gitane Tour de France- Schwinn Le Tour - Univega Maxima Sport (winter bike) Trek 950
Pinpointing a sound can be tricky & don't convince yourself its in a specific place
I had a squishing sound i was certain was coming from my right pedal. played with the pedal, retorqued the crank arm.
In my case it turned out loosening the velcro strap on the saddlebag did it
but damn I was sure it was that pedal
I had a squishing sound i was certain was coming from my right pedal. played with the pedal, retorqued the crank arm.
In my case it turned out loosening the velcro strap on the saddlebag did it
but damn I was sure it was that pedal
#8
Spin Meister
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 74
From: California, USA
Bikes: Trek Émonda, 1961 Follis (French) road bike (I'm the original owner), a fixie, a mountain bike, etc.
Just how old is the bike? And a dry chain can definitely be a noisy chain.
__________________
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
#9
Thread Starter
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
I finished putting together my bike this past Saturday morning. I haven't gotten a chance to go out on my bike yet today, but I'll let you guys know what the verdict is after I throw some oil on that chain.
#10
Spin Meister
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 74
From: California, USA
Bikes: Trek Émonda, 1961 Follis (French) road bike (I'm the original owner), a fixie, a mountain bike, etc.
"Lately I've been having some noise from my drive chain."
You've had the bike less than a week and "lately" you've noticed some noise? ;-)
You've had the bike less than a week and "lately" you've noticed some noise? ;-)
__________________
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
#11
Thread Starter
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
Lately would be the last 2 days, including today.
Anywho, I oiled the chain and it's still making noise. I also made sure my cranks are tight. I flipped around to a freewheel and it makes the same noise. The noise, which can best be described as crushing little tiny rocks, mostly happens when I accelerate. Any ideas?
Anywho, I oiled the chain and it's still making noise. I also made sure my cranks are tight. I flipped around to a freewheel and it makes the same noise. The noise, which can best be described as crushing little tiny rocks, mostly happens when I accelerate. Any ideas?
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Hubs with free bearings can make clackety sounds as the bearings bump into each other. Do you still get the sound when you're just coasting?
#16
Thread Starter
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
I don't get the sound when I'm just coasting. It happens pretty much when I apply pressure to the pedals to accelerate.
I suppose I described the sound wrong the first time around. Rather than a creaking, it's sort of a crunchy, gravelly sound.
I suppose I described the sound wrong the first time around. Rather than a creaking, it's sort of a crunchy, gravelly sound.





