I purchased a 9-speed Aluminum frame TT bike. The bike came with FSA crank and FSA chain rings 53x39. I’m getting chain noise. Barely able to hear the noise when I’m in my aero-bars or in the small 39 ring. But when I’m in the 53 ring and on my break hoods it almost sounds out of trim. After having my bike shop check out the bike numerous times they can find nothing wrong. I called the bike manufacturer, for one to ask them why the front derailleur on my new 9-speed TT bike was notably narrower than the front derailleur on my 9-speed road bike. They told me its because the front derailleur on your new TT bike is a 10 speed derailleur. I’m going to have the 10-speed derailleur changed to a 9 speed because I feel I’m getting a combination of frame and FSA Crank flex. Causing the wider 9-speed chain to rub the derailleur. No one seems to agree with me. I’m 6 ft. 3 inch. 200 pounds and can crank fairly hard when I’m out of the aero- bars and in my big ring. What do you think? Flex or normal chain noise?
PS: Yes I do trim the front derailleur, had the BB checked, also checked the FSA spider bracket on the crank. Dura-Ace front and rear derailleurs.
Sounds like it could be the cause of the problem to me. Does it only happen when u r out of the seat in the big ring? and if so does it stop between the left and right pedal strokes? U may even be able to see the frame at the bb junction flexing when u get out of the seat in the big ring. The derailleur will stay reasonably still with the chain moving from side to side within its width. If this is the case i would imagine that the 9 speed version of your DA derailleur will fix this problem......also might be worth adjusting the derailleur height, it may be sitting too close (or even too far) away from the chainrings making the apparent flex more noticable. The chain guide of the front derailleur should clear the chainring by about 3mm. Hope that helps.
Originally posted by drewjc Sounds like it could be the cause of the problem to me. Does it only happen when u r out of the seat in the big ring? and if so does it stop between the left and right pedal strokes? U may even be able to see the frame at the bb junction flexing when u get out of the seat in the big ring. The derailleur will stay reasonably still with the chain moving from side to side within its width. If this is the case i would imagine that the 9 speed version of your DA derailleur will fix this problem......also might be worth adjusting the derailleur height, it may be sitting too close (or even too far) away from the chainrings making the apparent flex more noticable. The chain guide of the front derailleur should clear the chainring by about 3mm. Hope that helps.
I agree with drewjc. Maybe some ajustments to position the front derailer better would help.... making sure that the height, angle, stop, and cable position (tension) are all dialed in. The DURA ACE 10 speed front derailer is a little narrower and stiffer than the 9 speed. As you have found out, this set of adjustments is done to make your riding silent as far as front derailer chain rub goes. As drewjc already asked, out of saddle efforts by large and powerful riders usually result in some intermittent rubbing that is impossible to adjust out.
Originally posted by frusso I purchased a 9-speed Aluminum frame TT bike. The bike came with FSA crank and FSA chain rings 53x39. I’m getting chain noise. Barely able to hear the noise when I’m in my aero-bars or in the small 39 ring. But when I’m in the 53 ring and on my break hoods it almost sounds out of trim. After having my bike shop check out the bike numerous times they can find nothing wrong. I called the bike manufacturer, for one to ask them why the front derailleur on my new 9-speed TT bike was notably narrower than the front derailleur on my 9-speed road bike. They told me its because the front derailleur on your new TT bike is a 10 speed derailleur. I’m going to have the 10-speed derailleur changed to a 9 speed because I feel I’m getting a combination of frame and FSA Crank flex. Causing the wider 9-speed chain to rub the derailleur. No one seems to agree with me. I’m 6 ft. 3 inch. 200 pounds and can crank fairly hard when I’m out of the aero- bars and in my big ring. What do you think? Flex or normal chain noise?
PS: Yes I do trim the front derailleur, had the BB checked, also checked the FSA spider bracket on the crank. Dura-Ace front and rear derailleurs.
There is absolutely no chainring wobble caused by chainrings or crank?BB, as observed by positioning derailer close to chain and just turning cranks??? I have some with varying degrees.
Originally posted by drewjc Sounds like it could be the cause of the problem to me. Does it only happen when u r out of the seat in the big ring? and if so does it stop between the left and right pedal strokes? U may even be able to see the frame at the bb junction flexing when u get out of the seat in the big ring. The derailleur will stay reasonably still with the chain moving from side to side within its width. If this is the case i would imagine that the 9 speed version of your DA derailleur will fix this problem......also might be worth adjusting the derailleur height, it may be sitting too close (or even too far) away from the chainrings making the apparent flex more noticable. The chain guide of the front derailleur should clear the chainring by about 3mm. Hope that helps.
I hear it when I'm in the saddle. I'll have to see what happens when i'm standing. What drives me crazy is how quiet my road bike is. This is my firts TT bike and maybe the difference is in the geometry of the frame. It’s like a dripping facet. I know its there.
If you're gonna have a TT bike it should be a small, stiff one. Any flex in the frame around the bottom bracket (which occurs in all frames to varying degrees) robbs you of power and response. If it's new I'd be telling the bike shop to get stuffed and use the smoother quieter roadie for TTs
Agree with tafi that a TT frame should be stiff. I'm curious about your TT frame. Can you describe it...brand, weight, specific tubeset and tube profile/dimensions?
Originally posted by dhk Agree with tafi that a TT frame should be stiff. I'm curious about your TT frame. Can you describe it...brand, weight, specific tubeset and tube profile/dimensions?
I’m not 100% sure it is frame flex. I’m trying to eliminate a factor that I now of. I’m replacing the 10 speed front derailleur for a 9 speed to match the number speeds on my bike. If nothing else it will enlarge my trim window. Like I mentioned the only time I hear the chain noise is when I’m in my big ring and out of the aero-bars. It’s very quit when I’m in the aero and cranking out a good cadence. Bike, 2004 Felt S22, aluminum frame, FSA crank and rings 53x39, rear cassette 12x23 carbon seat post, carbon integrated stem and aero bars and carbon fork. Front and rear derailleur and bar end shifters are all Dura Ace. Thank you
Yes, the correct 9 sp FD should help. If you adjust it to center on the chain in the big ring with the rear cog you use most at high output, I'll bet the rubbing is reduced or eliminated.
Not sure what weight/wall-thickness of tubing your bike uses, but if your frame is made with Easton scandium tubing, it may have more BB flex than you want for TT's. Scandium is the thinnest aluminum tube line Easton makes, and not what I'd pick for a 200 lb rider for a TT bike.
Originally posted by dhk Yes, the correct 9 sp FD should help. If you adjust it to center on the chain in the big ring with the rear cog you use most at high output, I'll bet the rubbing is reduced or eliminated.
Not sure what weight/wall-thickness of tubing your bike uses, but if your frame is made with Easton scandium tubing, it may have more BB flex than you want for TT's. Scandium is the thinnest aluminum tube line Easton makes, and not what I'd pick for a 200 lb rider for a TT bike.
Your right. I just checked Felts web site www.feltracing.com and under Q&A they use a 7005 easton aluminum for the S-22 frame. not sure what the 7005 is but they due mention easton.
Easton makes great tubing all right. You might want to check their website @eastonbike.com. If you have the "Ultra Lite" or "Ultra Lite Race" decal on your seat tube, you can go to the tables and see the wall thicknesses on your tubeset.
Not saying there is anything wrong with your frame. All frames flex, and of course a 61 or 63 cm frame under a big rider is going to flex more than a 54 cm one, unless it's build of heavier tubing.
