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New Cassette making noise...

Started by El Boolio · · Last activity · 17 posts · 2,841 views

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01 / Original postNew Cassette making noise...El Boolio · 16 Nov 2006 02 / This pagePosts 1–17Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #17ohgodnooo! · 17 Nov 2006

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Original section
Cycling Equipment
Published
16 November 2006
Last activity
17 November 2006
Original author
El Boolio
Posts
17
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Public discussion
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2,841
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Topics
Derailleur hangersChain lengthRear derailleurs

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  1. Original post
    El Boolio
    Archived post
    #1

    This problem is driving my absolutely nuts.

    I needed a new chain on my bike, and I figured as long as I was getting a new chain, I'd get a new cassette and put my old cassette on a spare wheel I have (to use on the trainer). I had a Tiagra 9-speed chain and a Tiagra cassette, 12-25 and everything working well.

    I bought a Sram PC991 9-speed chain and an Ultegra 9-speed cassette, also 12-25. First I put the new chain on, lubed it up, and it worked flawlessly (with the old Tiagra cassette). Next, I installed the new Ultegra cassette, and in certain gear combinations, the cassette is noisy and causes vibrations. The vibration is not constant, but happens about 3 or 4 times per pedal stroke. It's like I can feel the drivetrain in the pedals as I pedal.

    I have a triple, and when I am in the middle ring up front, and in one of the middle cogs, everything is smooth. When I start to get into the higher gears (i.e., smaller cogs), things start to get noisy and less smooth. When I am in the big ring up front, the middle cogs are fine, but when I get into the top 3 gears, everthing is very rough. Especially the 53-12 combo--it's very noisy and the pulsations are quite strong.

    The indexing does not affect the problem at all. I tried the b-screw and the limit screws--everything looks fine. I put the old cassette back on, and the problem goes away. I torqued the cassette down at 40Nm. I also tried tightening it a little--no change. The derailleur hanger looks fine, too.

    I don't know what else to do... Is it possible I need to break in the cassette a little?

    Thanks.

    Report
  2. gclark8
    Archived post
    #2

    Your chain is low level, try a Shimano HG93 chain with Ultegra (9) cassettes.

    Report
  3. El Boolio
    Archived post
    #3
    gclark8 said:

    Your chain is low level, try a Shimano HG93 chain with Ultegra (9) cassettes.

    What? That chain is a $58 chain. It's the top of the line 9-speed chain from SRAM, as far as I know.

    Anyway, it works fine with the other cassette, so I don't think it's the chain.

    Report
  4. sogood
    Archived post
    #4

    Have you checked and readjusted the RD?

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  5. El Boolio
    Archived post
    #5
    sogood said:

    Have you checked and readjusted the RD?

    Indexing is fine. Limits look good. B-screw doesn't affect anything. Hanger looks straight. What else is there?

    Report
  6. gclark8
    Archived post
    #6
    El Boolio said:

    What? That chain is a $58 chain. It's the top of the line 9-speed chain from SRAM, as far as I know.

    Anyway, it works fine with the other cassette, so I don't think it's the chain.

    Sorry, I do!

    On my Felt I have the best (non-shimano) 9 speed chain, it stuffed my Ultegra 13-23 cassette! Works perfect with the HG50 cassette.

    On my tri bike, new Ultegra 12-23 cassette, new HG93 Shimano chain, no prolems! 😉

    See: http://www.shimano.com.au/publish/content/australia/en/cycling/customer_support/service_diagrams/road_bike_service.MainContentPar.0008.Schematic.0017.File.tmp/cs_6500_si.pdf
    and
    http://www.shimano.com.au/publish/content/australia/en/cycling/customer_support/service_diagrams/road_bike_service.MainContentPar.0008.Schematic.0012.File.tmp/SI-0450H.pdf

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  7. ScienceIsCool
    Archived post
    #7

    How's your chain length? Is it the same number of links as your old chain?

    John Swanson
    www.bikephysics.com

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  8. ScienceIsCool
    Archived post
    #8

    Actually, this reminds of when I bought a BBB cassette for my winter bike two years ago. I had nothing but problems with it, making noise and not shifting properly. I soon replaced it with a Taigra cassette and everything was fine.

    I decided to take a pair of calipers and take a thorough look at the BBB. Sure enough, some of the spacers were the incorrect width... Grrr.

    John Swanson
    www.bikephysics.com

    Report
  9. alfeng
    Archived post
    #9
    El Boolio said:

    Indexing is fine. Limits look good. B-screw doesn't affect anything. Hanger looks straight. What else is there?

    Is your PowerLink hinky?

    I think it is unidirectional ... try REVERSING the direction your chain runs through your bike's drivetrain ...

    Report
  10. El Boolio
    Archived post
    #10
    ScienceIsCool said:

    How's your chain length? Is it the same number of links as your old chain?

    John Swanson
    www.bikephysics.com

    Yes, it is the same length. I counted four times. 🙂

    Report
  11. El Boolio
    Archived post
    #11
    ScienceIsCool said:

    Actually, this reminds of when I bought a BBB cassette for my winter bike two years ago. I had nothing but problems with it, making noise and not shifting properly. I soon replaced it with a Taigra cassette and everything was fine.

    I decided to take a pair of calipers and take a thorough look at the BBB. Sure enough, some of the spacers were the incorrect width... Grrr.

    John Swanson
    www.bikephysics.com

    Yeah, I'm going to try the Tiagra spacers with the Ultegra cassette and see how it works. I'll post results.

    Report
  12. El Boolio
    Archived post
    #12
    alfeng said:

    Is your PowerLink hinky?

    I think it is unidirectional ... try REVERSING the direction your chain runs through your bike's drivetrain ...

    I don't believe it is, but I'll give it a shot.

    Report
  13. El Boolio
    Archived post
    #13

    The Tiagra spacers are the same size as the Ultegra ones, but I tried the old spacers anyway. I think it made a little difference, but not really.

    I also tried top four Tiagra cogs with the rest of the Ultegra cassette body. A little better, but not really.

    The only thing I can think of is the spacer I have on behind the cassette. My wheels can take up to a 10 speed cassette, so I have a spacer on there to take up the rest of the space. It looks ever so slightly bent. I suppose that could throwing things off, but who knows. I think I'm going to take it to the LBS before I lose my mind.

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  14. Albert 50
    Archived post
    #14
    El Boolio said:

    The only thing I can think of is the spacer I have on behind the cassette. My wheels can take up to a 10 speed cassette, so I have a spacer on there to take up the rest of the space.


    If you are talking an all shimano drive train, I think you may find it is the 10 speed that needs the spacer ????

    Report
  15. alfeng
    Archived post
    #15
    Albert 50 said:

    If you are talking an all shimano drive train, I think you may find it is the 10 speed that needs the spacer ????

    Okay, IF (by chance) you now have a spacer behind the Ultegra cassette which WAS NOT behind the Tiagra cassette -- and, that has subsequently bumped the last cog further away from the bike's centerline than the Tiagra's last cog was -- THEN, that is probably why your teeth are grinding (so to speak) against the chain IF you have not reset your stops & indexing, accordingly!

    We aren't talking NASA level precision, but the cogs can't be off by 2 millimeters from where the lead pulley sets the chain (or, vice-versa) and expect the indexing to work smoothly.

    Report
  16. John M
    Archived post
    #16
    alfeng said:

    Is your PowerLink hinky?

    I think it is unidirectional ... try REVERSING the direction your chain runs through your bike's drivetrain ...

    SRAM powerlink is NOT unidirectional. Not to be confused with Wipperman.

    Report
  17. ohgodnooo!
    Archived post
    #17

    Have your derailleur hanger alignment checked.

    Report

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