Are some chainrings noisey?

[tjdixon911]

I've got a bit of a noisey drivetrain at the moment, trying to work out what it is and thinking back to changes I've made, I have put a Superstar chainring on, wondering if this might be the problem?

The noise is just a bit squeaky, bit hard to describe.

Bike is running 1x11.

[FD3Si]

tjdixon911 said:

I've got a bit of a noisey drivetrain at the moment, trying to work out what it is and thinking back to changes I've made, I have put a Superstar chainring on, wondering if this might be the problem?

The noise is just a bit squeaky, bit hard to describe.

Bike is running 1x11.

Putting aside my immediate jumping to pointing a finger at Superstar quality...

2 things spring to mine - have you got a 10sp ring instead of an 11? (Think they are different thicknesses)
Have you got the chain 'in sync' - if it's a NW ring then make sure the narrow bits are lined up with the narrow links) The samea pplies on some rear mechs (certainly does on my SRAM mech)

[tjdixon911]

FD3Si said:

Putting aside my immediate jumping to pointing a finger at Superstar quality...

2 things spring to mine - have you got a 10sp ring instead of an 11? (Think they are different thicknesses)
Have you got the chain 'in sync' - if it's a NW ring then make sure the narrow bits are lined up with the narrow links) The samea pplies on some rear mechs (certainly does on my SRAM mech)

Thanks for the response, - the Chainrings are marketed as 9/10/11 speed, I was wondering that the thicknesses would differ between the 3 though so maybe there is a bit of a compromise in order for them to work with all chains? Thinking back when I had one for a 1x10 set up I think that may have had a similar noise.... Point 2, I wasn't aware that the chain needed to be in sync in that way, will look in to this.

I was thinking of changing to an Absolute Black 34 Oval ring as they seem to get positive reviews.

[FD3Si]

Is it a NW ring? I assumed it was but may not be - it's obvious if you look at it, the teeth will be alternating thicknesses

[tjdixon911]

FD3Si said:

Is it a NW ring? I assumed it was but may not be - it's obvious if you look at it, the teeth will be alternating thicknesses

Yes it is a NW ring.

Thinking about the "Syncing" wouldn't this just become out of sync dependent on gear ratios?

[FD3Si]

Nope. The chain's 'sync' on the ring never changes on a 1x setup - it never gets the chance to. If you think about it it's always just pulling the next link on. The cassette doesn't have a sync due to it moving up and down and possibly skipping a tooth here and there during shifts, but the ring never does. You'll notice all NW rings have an even number of teeth

Imagine how the links of a chain sit on this and you can see how sync is important.

[tjdixon911]

FD3Si said:

Nope. The chain's 'sync' on the ring never changes on a 1x setup - it never gets the chance to. If you think about it it's always just pulling the next link on. The cassette doesn't have a sync due to it moving up and down and possibly skipping a tooth here and there during shifts, but the ring never does. You'll notice all NW rings have an even number of teeth

Imagine how the links of a chain sit on this and you can see how sync is important.

That does make sense now, I've just never realised it was required, will check it out this evening, presumably the chainring will essentially need to move forward / back 1 link in the chain...

[rossmc88]

I bought a superstar chainring and it was noisy

I thought it must have been a chain allignment issue and wasted £100 on a new crank and it was still noisy

I then bought a raceface chainring and it was perfect. Refitted the old crank with the Raceface chainring and it was perfect.

So I now have a £100 crank that I can't send back because I fitted it and a £25 Superstar chainring that is noisy - The joys of MTBs! Thanks Superstar!

[Matt_N]

tjdixon911 said:

Thanks for the response, - the Chainrings are marketed as 9/10/11 speed, I was wondering that the thicknesses would differ between the 3 though so maybe there is a bit of a compromise in order for them to work with all chains?

The internal width of 9/10/11 speed chains is the same, it's the outer plate thickness that has decreased in order to squeeze more gears on the cassette.

9/10 speed chain rings work perfetly fine with 11 speed chains and vice versa.

[P-Jay]

9/10/11 (and possibly 12) chain rings are the same - the internal diameter of the chains is the same.

Some are noisy, I've tried a few brands and I don't think that's the deciding factor, bar Shimano (which aren't NW anyway) because they don't anodise the teeth and most others do - it's going to wear off in a few rides, but until then it's going to make a fuss about it.

Also part-worn chains on new rings has caused noise for me in the past.

[WinstonWolf]

My money would be on a part worn chain on a new ring.

[tjdixon911]

rossmc88 said:

I bought a superstar chainring and it was noisy

I thought it must have been a chain allignment issue and wasted £100 on a new crank and it was still noisy

I then bought a raceface chainring and it was perfect. Refitted the old crank with the Raceface chainring and it was perfect.

So I now have a £100 crank that I can't send back because I fitted it and a £25 Superstar chainring that is noisy - The joys of MTBs! Thanks Superstar!

Your not the only one to have done that, I did a similar thing with a click which was coming from my cranks, turned out it wasn't it was a loose nut on the replaceable drop outs...

[tjdixon911]

P-Jay said:

9/10/11 (and possibly 12) chain rings are the same - the internal diameter of the chains is the same.

Some are noisy, I've tried a few brands and I don't think that's the deciding factor, bar Shimano (which aren't NW anyway) because they don't anodise the teeth and most others do - it's going to wear off in a few rides, but until then it's going to make a fuss about it.

Also part-worn chains on new rings has caused noise for me in the past.

Its been on for a few hundred miles now, and the noise is still there, it was only really last night where I thought the Chainring may be at fault.

The chain was probably 2-300miles (mainly dry use) old, is that likely to be worn enough to make the difference?

Will I face problems installing a new chain to a used cassette?

[P-Jay]

tjdixon911 said:

P-Jay said:

9/10/11 (and possibly 12) chain rings are the same - the internal diameter of the chains is the same.

Some are noisy, I've tried a few brands and I don't think that's the deciding factor, bar Shimano (which aren't NW anyway) because they don't anodise the teeth and most others do - it's going to wear off in a few rides, but until then it's going to make a fuss about it.

Also part-worn chains on new rings has caused noise for me in the past.

Its been on for a few hundred miles now, and the noise is still there, it was only really last night where I thought the Chainring may be at fault.

The chain was probably 2-300miles (mainly dry use) old, is that likely to be worn enough to make the difference?

Will I face problems installing a new chain to a used cassette?

I believe the problem with part-worn chains and new rings is down to the fact the chain wears very slightly to the shape of the old worn ring and causes fuss on new ones If they've been together for a few hundred miles I guess they've bedded in by now.

NW Rings mean an extra headache for riders - obviously they're far tighter tolerance than just a plain ring - time was as long as you didn't run your chain till it was too worn, you could replace it before you damaged the cassette and get as many as 4 chains out of the same cassette, but I don't know of anyone who's managed to work out a 'sensible replacement time' for NW rings yet, I run them it the chain jumps off more than once in a blue moon.

Do I read correctly that your chain was about 200-300 miles old when you fitted the ring, and it's done another 200-300 since? That can be fairly worn for a MTB chain.

If I were you I'd get a chain ware tool and measure your chain 'stretch' (they don't really stretch) - if it's less than 1% worn you can usually change the chain without needing a new cassette. If it's past that then it's probably taken the cassette with it.

Oh and try not to obsess about it too much, NW aren't perfect that ALL make a bit of noise and they ALL have a bit of drag to them, that's the price of not them - but they make less noise and drag than a chain device and less than most front mechs as well.

IME OneUp NW rings are about the best, but the expensive, exclusive to their chainsets Shimano ones are probably a bit better.

[rossmc88]

rossmc88 said:

I bought a superstar chainring and it was noisy

I thought it must have been a chain allignment issue and wasted £100 on a new crank and it was still noisy

I then bought a raceface chainring and it was perfect. Refitted the old crank with the Raceface chainring and it was perfect.

So I now have a £100 crank that I can't send back because I fitted it and a £25 Superstar chainring that is noisy - The joys of MTBs! Thanks Superstar!

When I had my issue, I had fitted a new chain at the same time so it was 100% an issue with the superstar chainring - changed to race face and it was fine. Both rings were narrow wide

[budgie smuggler]

Did you remove the chain? If so check that it's threaded correctly through the mech guide thingy between the jockey wheels

[P-Jay]

budgie smuggler said:

Did you remove the chain? If so check that it's threaded correctly through the mech guide thingy between the jockey wheels

I'd laugh but....




In my defence I was 3 beers in when I fitted it, I've however no defence for riding like that for 3 weeks.

[tjdixon911]

P-Jay said:

I believe the problem with part-worn chains and new rings is down to the fact the chain wears very slightly to the shape of the old worn ring and causes fuss on new ones If they've been together for a few hundred miles I guess they've bedded in by now.

NW Rings mean an extra headache for riders - obviously they're far tighter tolerance than just a plain ring - time was as long as you didn't run your chain till it was too worn, you could replace it before you damaged the cassette and get as many as 4 chains out of the same cassette, but I don't know of anyone who's managed to work out a 'sensible replacement time' for NW rings yet, I run them it the chain jumps off more than once in a blue moon.

Do I read correctly that your chain was about 200-300 miles old when you fitted the ring, and it's done another 200-300 since? That can be fairly worn for a MTB chain.

If I were you I'd get a chain ware tool and measure your chain 'stretch' (they don't really stretch) - if it's less than 1% worn you can usually change the chain without needing a new cassette. If it's past that then it's probably taken the cassette with it.

Oh and try not to obsess about it too much, NW aren't perfect that ALL make a bit of noise and they ALL have a bit of drag to them, that's the price of not them - but they make less noise and drag than a chain device and less than most front mechs as well.

IME OneUp NW rings are about the best, but the expensive, exclusive to their chainsets Shimano ones are probably a bit better.

I will pick up a chain wear tool on my next visit to a bike shop, yes the chain has done approx 5-600 miles now, and I am probably guilty of letting them wear beyond there serviceable life - I do have a spare chain at home (purchased for my other MTB) but still haven't got round to fitting it - my other MTB has done a few more miles though so maybe I should replace both..

[tjdixon911]

Swapped out the Chainring and put a new chain on - the bike is silent again

[qska]

budgie smuggler said:

Did you remove the chain? If so check that it's threaded correctly through the mech guide thingy between the jockey wheels

Yeah. Guilty.