Chain alignment vs. noise on singlespeed convert
 

Maybe I should have posted this in the Mechanics section, but it is more of an annoyance than a real issue. I ride a singlespeed conversion with the chain running on the granny gear of the old two-speed crankset to a BMX freewheel in the rear. When I am pedalling, I hear a click on the downstroke of each of the pedals. The cranks are tight as can be (chain is taut too), and the noise sounds more like it is from the chain. I eyeballed the alignment of the chain, and it looks to be good within 1/4". Could this be the issue (is 1/4" not close enough)? The other possibility is the 3/32" chain ring (both chain and freewheel are 1/8") provides too much lateral slop in the chain. Just looking to see if anyone else has run into this problem, as it is quite annoying to ride with other singlespeeders and mine is the only bike clicking away.

Might be chainline. If you are using ramped rings up front or have bent teeth than the fact that the chainline is off can be amplified at certain spots on the ring. Put it in a stand and turn slowly. Is it always happening in the same spot of the ring?

Are you running a tensioner? If so, these can be noisey.

1/4" is a lot. Usually chainline variance is measured in a few mm.

riderx Not ramped, not bent, and no tensioner. I never heard any noise in the stand. I checked when I first thought the cranks were loose.

bostontrevor Thanks, wasn't really sure what was a lot. It sounds like it could be this in connection with a 3/32" ring.

Umm. 1/4" = 6.3mm
Still, too much out for my piece of mind. There is probably one slightly tight (lateraly) spot in the chain that does not like this.

Yeah, 6.3 is more than a few. The difference between the inside and outside on your spider is usually 5mm, think about the huge difference that makes. The spacers you can buy if it's still messed up are 3mm.

Thanks, I'll pick up a couple of spacers (sounds like two should do). And... Go Sox!

one quick test...stand on your pedals up a hill and give it hell. if you lose your chain and fall into traffic, it was the lateral slop, which is my predicition. i had a similar thing happen to my ss when chain and cogs were of different widths. it's worth the extra money for a smoother and safer ride.

Not trying to mess with your mind.
By shopping in a hardware store, I was able to find copper washers that fit over the hub threads that were 1/2 mm thick. Cheaper than bike specific parts and infinately adjustable.