Question about drivetrain noise..
 

Ok, so finally got my FTP wrapped up and was able to ride it this weekend :thumb:

Despite the bike riding smoothly with no issues, the drivetrain is a little on the loud side. Initially, i thought that maybe the PO has put on a 3/32" chain on 1/8" chainring/cog but after some investigating this turned out to not be the case. FSA front chain ring, Surly rear cog and SRAM chain (PC7x) that all are 1/8". I doubled check to make sure it wasn't the rear hub but that wasn't causing any noise at all when the chain wasn't attached. There is roughly 10mm of play in the chain along with the chainline being straight.

I googled to see if I could find any answers and the best one I could find which kind of makes sense is that sometimes components just need to be worn in but I believe these components have a few hundred miles on them at this point.. Is there something I'm missing? It's not rocket science, its 2 damn gears and a chain lol

As a rule, Surly cogs are also some of the noisiest on the market.

Also, some frames (especially aluminum frames) transmit the noise a little more than others. FTPs are notoriously noisy based on my experience and what I've real on the almighty interwebz.

Try a different brand rear cog. I've had problems with Surly cogs being noisy and rough in the past that was solved by changing to other brands like Soma and Shimano Dura Ace.

Yeah I could also "feel" that the frame was transmitting more sound in general that I'm used too -- My only frame experience has been with steel/carbon, never owned a alum frame before!

Noted. I'll have get my hands on a new cog and try it out -- I had a Surly cog on my last FG and I don't remember it being noisy at all..

In general aluminum frames are a lot more buzzy, but some like my Wabi Lightning are no more so than steel or carbon fiber. I think its partly because aluminum frames typically have larger tube sizes that are more prone to resonance.

Congratulations on buying one of the loudest frames in existence. I'm moderately hearing impaired so it works out fine for me but I would never recommend the frame to someone who wants quiet.

Yep it's the frame. I went from one to a kagero w the identical drivetrain on both. Much quieter

Lube that drivetrain.

If the chainline is straight, it'll quiet down after a while.

If not, you'll get used to it and it won't matter.

My San Jose is a bit noisy after I had to replace the rear wheel. I could mess around with spacers; it's not off by much but I could spend hours doing so and still not get a quiet bike so I just ride and sing LOUDER. :)


Here's the obligatory Sheldon Brown link on chainline: All About Bicycle Chainline

I guarantee it's nothing to do with chainline. Fuji Track Pros are just LOUD.

My Felt is like this. Thought there was something wrong with it, then heard one on YouTube, yep, same sound as mine. Embrace it for what it is.