Noisy Chain

Half link chains go this way.

I'm now using a Nexus (yes, Nexus!) 1/8th chain after Scherrit suggested a cheap alternative to blingin track chains. Cheap, rust proofed, so far performing fine. Nexus ftw!

Half link chains go this way.

I'm now using a Nexus (yes, Nexus!) 1/8th chain after Scherrit suggested a cheap alternative to blingin track chains. Cheap, rust proofed, so far performing fine. Nexus ftw!

Cheers hippy, been looking for a close up image like that. Your google fu is strong.

Weird... Looks like my chain is running backwards then - buit it seemed rougher the other way..? Maybe it needs to bed in the other way round...

I wouldn't have thought it would do any of the components any harm running it backwards... I think I might just leave it as it is running pretty quiet now. Will eventually replace it with a regular chain.

It's my photo..

If you've been running your chain backwards and then switched it over, it's gonna be rough as guts.

Time for you to buy new chainring, chain and cog and have a nice driveline.

It's my photo..

If you've been running your chain backwards and then switched it over, it's gonna be rough as guts.

Time for you to buy new chainring, chain and cog and have a nice driveline.

Not what I wanted to hear...

The chain was like that when bought the bike... It has always run it in the same direction. I just flipped it, seemed worse, flipped it back.

If I have to replace chainring/chain/cog anyway, I might as well keep running like this for now. What's the worst that can happen?

Oh replace the chain first to see anything happening.

If the chainring has already worn in a fucked way, you'll just wear the chain out quicker.
I would fit a cheap chain and ride it until everything needs replacing and then set it up properly.
Of course then you'd have to put up with the noise until you swapped everything.

Yeah, I have probably done about 5-600 miles in that configuration...

Will try new chain then think about replacing other bits

It is not too nosy now... I might even just leave backwards chain on...

THIS IS LONDON MY FRIEND....

^thats my contribution.

Repost.. you 'tard..

That's mine.

It is not too nosy now... I might even just leave backwards chain on...

It does ask me lots of questions when I go out without it though...

It is not too noisy now either...

THIS IS LONDON MY FRIEND....

^thats my contribution.

Seems like my chain is not the only thing backwards round here...

I'm having problems with a Charge Masher chain. To be honest, I'm a bit annoyed with it. Looked nice out of the box but after a couple of rides, most of the black has come off, and after a ride in the rain yesterday, a bit of rust appeared.

It rattles quite a bit, which I don't mind too much, but now it's started squeaking a lot too.

Has anyone had similar problems with the Masher? Does it quieten down after a while?

Also, how tight is too tight?

I'll wax lube it to stop the rust and hope this helps. Also, will get a new sprocket - the one on there at the moment was a cheapo one off ebay. Any recommendations for a quality mid-range one?

I got a Condor cog and that seemed much quieter than the knackered DuraAce one I had before. Probably just because it was new though.
There's should be a little play up and down with the chain, if it's crazy tight and starts clicking when at it's tightest point, that's too tight. Loosen it up ever so slightly and that'll help. Also make sure your wheel is in straight as if the cog is even at a tiny angle to the chainring, it's going to make some noise.

I've got a 130mm rear spaced road frame with a 120mm rear hub, and 5mm of spacers each side. It looked straight to begin with, but I had another look at it last night and wasnt so sure, so I've now got 4mm on one side and 6 on the other. Looks better now, but still pretty loud. Still, it doesn't ruin my ride - I'll give it time to settle in, get a new sprocket and wax the chain, see how it goes.

Hello there veterans,

I had no probs with my chain in the past, chainline is straight etc. I put some of my mate's super thick all weather chain lube (too much of it) and ever since my bike's not been quite right. The drivetrain is making loads of noise, and I can feel the vibration of the sprocket teeth going into the chain which is odd. It's like a vibration on my feet.

I'm pretty sure, after looking at sheldon etc that it's just grit that's got into the chain. There's no noise or vibration when i turn the cranks and wheel when there's no chain there so I've narrowed it down. I think it could also be worn sprocket/chain/chainring but it's impossible to narrow these down as I can't test them independently of one another! Also, it doesn't explain the sudden change in my bike's feeling and performance.

I'm soaking the chainring, chain and sprocket in fairy liquid and water now to get rid of the grease, give it a good clean and then re-lube it all with a lube that's not super thick and awful.

Am I doing the right thing? Not morally, mechanically! Or should i just buy a new chain, sprocket and chainring. That will cost shitloads. I'd rather not do that! Could i get away with just getting a new chain? etc etc etc etc etc etc...

Thanks a lot,

Teddy Rich

A lot of people will tell you just to get a new chain because they're cheap, but I like to clean them up a couple of times before I resort to replacing them. A lot of energy goes into making them, and it's a bit greener to use them for longer. On the other hand, don't use them for too long or they'll wear your cogs. You can measure the chain with a ruler (Google how) to see if it's worn. Just get some degreaser, citrus stuff works for me, soak it for a bit and then THOROUGHLY rinse and relube - not too much lube. On the other hand, a wipe down with a rag is sometimes all I need to shut the drivetrain up for a while...

The OCD approach:
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread3372-3.html#post388917

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9831/cleyy2.jpg

A lot of people will tell you just to get a new chain

Get a new chain.

Had a similar thing recently following a degrease/relube. A noisy drivetrain bugs the crap out of me - wasted hours pulling things apart cleaning, wiping, tightening. Just spend a tenner and have done with it - for the price of a couple of bottles of rubbish wine you too can be smiling inside...

And then avoid wet lube. I've got the same problem at the moment. I'm going back to extra dry.

or get a chain wear checking tool, i saw one for <£10, use again and again, and the money you save on not buying chains too often, or not often enough and wearing you chainring and cog prematurely i think is a no brainer.

I fixed the same issue by making my chain slightly less tight (even a slightly too tight chain is grindy as fuck and you can feel it through your feet) and by tightening the bolts on my chain ring. Try that?

sometimes as a chain loosens after a week or two of riding the noise emitted can increase
how slack is the chain ?
maybe a quick re fix of rear wheel might do it

You'll get away with a new chain but as dicki says the chain does wear and might just need tightening by pulling back the rear wheel.

Thick lube probably attracted and held more grit than normal = more noise.

I'd clean it down with citrus degreaser, dry parts, lightly relube with White Lightning or something and it should be ok.