So, I believe a fixed gear should be pretty close to silent. Mine is not.

Here's a video of my problem:


As you can see, my chainline isn't completely straight.

I've brought this thing to shops all over town and they say nothing is wrong with it, so I've come here for help.

Is the chainring bent? Do I need a new one?

TIA.

Your chainring isn't centered on your crank arm perfectly - which accounts for the varying chain tension - but that's a common dilemma. In my experience, Surly cogs are loud as all hell.

My bikes always make more noise on the repair stand (or upside down) than while riding. Lube your chain and ride your bike.

Scrod is correct. The noise is coming from your steel cog, not your aluminum chainring. However, unless the chain is grinding on the cog or hanging up, it's not a problem. If it really bothers you, replace it with a Soma, which is less expensive and much quieter. Also, if your chain is worn, replace it as well.

Your chainline is pretty straight in the video, don't need to worry about that.

Very few chainrings are perfectly concentric, that's why your chain moves up and down when it is in motion. The noise might come from the cog rather than the chainring. Older models of Surly cogs were notoriously loud no matter what you do to the drive train, the cogs had bad tooth profile (almost square) that caused all sorts of noise while you're pedalling it. I am not sure if it is still the case with the newer models, though.

Nothing seems to be wrong with your bike, just a little noisy. The variation in chain tension is no big deal, you could try to straighten the chainring with by using Sheldon's method.

Which will take you the rest of your natural life if you're as nitpicky as I am.

Or you could just live with the varying chain tension.

No biggie.

this.

my 2 bikes with 1/8" chains seem to be just as noisy. my new bike with 3/32" chain is much, MUCH quieter - it is a new chain & cog, don't know if it will get noisier.

all 3 have some amount of varying chain tension. i've had cheaper chainrings in the past that were offcenter by alot, got better when i replace the chainring.

FYI, the Surly Steamroller uses a 3/32" chain.

This. It's nothing to worry about

The post by dcv implied that the noise was due to the use of a 1/8" chain and could be remedied by switching to a 3/32" chain (assuming cog and chainring were 3/32). My reply was to point out that it already uses a 3/32" chain and therefore that was not the cause of the noise. Lol wut yourself.

FWIW I run 1/8 th chain,1/8th cog(EAI,Dura Ace,Origin 8)and 3/32 Chain ring on all my set ups and they're all quiet under load(as in while riding).I find that most set ups make a lot of noise on the stand or up side down.I guess that's just due to play in the chains bushings.Proper lube helps too.

Sorry TT. I didn't realize that everyone who rides a Surly Steamroller must use a 3/32" drivetrain at all times. Now I know!

It's the yellow. Blue chains are quieter.

This is the real solution, what the hell have you guys been talking about for the last few posts?

And I don't know why, but when I run a 3/32" chain with my 1/8" cog and chainring, it's a lot quieter.

thanks for all the replies!

i guess i'm just nitpicky like scrodzilla said. i feel like it used to be quieter, but that was prolly cause it was new.

brother has a surly cog, it is noticabley louder then mine

^

In my case, maybe it's the cog then because there is a very noticeable difference. 1/8 surly cogs vs 3/32 white industries cog - same # teeth

Either way, agree noise is not an issue

one thing I have noticed is that the "roundness" of chainrings varies not just by brand but within the same brand. And spending more money on a ring doesn't mean it will be rounder...the roundest ring I have was the cheapest (origin8 Beck)


In my experience Wax based lubes are quieter than oils regardless of the age of the components try one and see if things quiet down

Vix - amazing as always.

Vixtor. Unreal.

I heard when you run a 3/16" drivetrain with a 3/32" chain it makes the whole world go silent.