How noisy should a compact double w/105 be?

wellbert

I hear a lot of noise between the pulleys, chain, and cassette while pedaling. The harder I pedal, the faster/louder the clicks. Sounds like a sewing machine at high cadence. Nothing is hitting, touching, scraping that shouldn't be. It's just noisy. It's like I can hear the chainlinks clicking onto the cassette.

I thought another shop quieted it down (and they did) but now that I've ridden them back to back, I can tell it's still much noisier than....

...On 3 other bikes (one mine, one my wife's, one my friends) which all have inexpensive triples and miles from 50-400 miles, 2-15 years old - NONE of them are noisy when pedaling. All I hear is tire noise.

ALL bikes make audible clicking when there's no rider and they are on the repair stand. The CAAD 10 5 being the noisiest.

Ant_M76

Something must need tweaking - it should be pretty quiet.

StuAblett

Should be fairly quiet, is it lubed up?

broadsword7

Some noise issue thoughts:

* Is chain properly clean and lubricated? It seems basic but a lot of people don't CLEAN their chain and other parts properly before adding lubricant. Adding lubricant on top of a dirty chain just makes bad things happen down the road. Same goes for cassette and other moving parts. I say this because back in the day I did it, until I finally realized I needed to stop doing it, lol.

* Is chain old? I tend to replace a chain around every 3,000 miles. It's a personal preference, but I am very rough on my drive train and rough on chains in particular. My LBS advises chain replacement at least once a year.

* Is chain properly tensed? Chain tension should be measured by a tech at a good bike shop. Loose chains cause a lot of noise issues...chains stretch over time.

* All other things taken into consideration (clean drivetrain, proper chain tension, lubed appropriately), look for where the clicking is coming while bike is on the stand, and adjust derailleurs accordingly (or take back to shop).

Happy riding!

johnwhitent

I can't add anything to what sword said but I will add that I run 105 and when clean and properly lubed mine is almost silent. The only thing I have that is non standard is an Ultegra chain since that was all the shop had in stock when I neded to replace mine. I love a quiet drivetrain!

wellbert

Everything is brand new.* I've got about 50 miles on the bike now.
I did lube the pulleys which helped a slight amount.

*except the used wheels with dura-ace hubs that I put on it, but they had no impact on the noise.


Maybe it will quiet down with age?

lunalulu2

It shouldn't be making noise. That is essentially the same setup I have and if it is noisy then something is out of whack and it needs a tuneup. I would take it to the bikeshop and have them look it over. I often knock my rear derailleur out of alignment and that leads to rough and noisy shifting.

Ant_M76

You probably need to add a little bit of tension to either the front mech cable or the rear mech cable. Would suggest quarter turn anti-clockwise on the barrel adjuster on the rear mech first. If this doesn't fix it, put it back to where it was and see if you can investigate the front meach - make sure the chain isn't scraping against the cage... These are just guesses mind you, but I was thinking it could be cable stretch.


ALSO....
It could be a stiff link in the chain. Investigate each link and make sure none are stiff, which would cause the sewing machine sounding noise, when that particular link passed through the jockey wheels in the rear mech.

wellbert

Thanks, with a little adjusting and extra oiling it's a lot more quiet now.

cloggsy71

If its a new bike, there should be a 6-week complementary 'check up' offered by the bike shop you bought it from to make sure everything is running as it should...

Albeit you've checked and lubed bits, it might still require someone with an expert eye looking at it and checking the consumables!

Ant_M76

If you have 'oiled' stuff... be sure to wipe off all excess lube from the chain. When you think you have done it - do it some more Keep on wiping after applying lube... it should not be visible on the external bits of a chain.

Reason for this is that lots of lube on a chain (particularly in the winter) will attract bits of grit and dirt to stick to it. This stuff gets into the sprockets and jockey wheels and grinds stuff down, wearing out the drivetrain faster.