Question about drivetrain noise..
#1
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
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From: dEnVeR
Bikes: CENTURION / LOOK / Bianchi
Question about drivetrain noise..
Ok, so finally got my FTP wrapped up and was able to ride it this weekend 
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
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
#2
Your cog is slipping.



Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Likes: 100
From: Beverly MA
Bikes: EAI Bareknuckle
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.
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.
#3
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
Ok, so finally got my FTP wrapped up and was able to ride it this weekend 
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
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
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 10
From: dEnVeR
Bikes: CENTURION / LOOK / Bianchi
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!
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 10
From: dEnVeR
Bikes: CENTURION / LOOK / Bianchi
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..
#6
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
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.
#7
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.
#9
.


Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12,769
Likes: 38
From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
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
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
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