running a cheap noisy dicta freewheel and chain tension problems
06-23-18, 02:01 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
running a cheap noisy dicta freewheel and chain tension problems
Hi folks,
I have been getting by with a dicta freewheel on a single speed vintage road bike conversion for the past while . It has always been noisy but now it is extra noisy and hard to ignore especially as I hate bad bike noise .Its not noisy in the usual freewheel clicking as you coast way but in a loud "POCKATA POCKATA " way when pedaling . The noise is starting to get to me so I am considering trying a more expensive freewheel . I read that the white eno is great but it would cost more than the bike is worth but I am still tempted as I love this bike other than the awful freewheel noises.
Another thing I am maybe blaming the dicta for is the tight spots in the chain (using semi horizontal dropouts to set tension with no device ). When I spin the rear wheel on the stand with the cranks stationary(to rule out eccentricities of the front chainring) I can see the chain bob up and down significantly . I reckon this is because the dicta freewheel is spinning a very imperfect circle .
So would a more expensive freewheel help with tight spots and be quieter ?
Im also looking into the possibility that the dropouts are misaligned and causing the chain to bind at points ,
Thanks for any inputs
B
I have been getting by with a dicta freewheel on a single speed vintage road bike conversion for the past while . It has always been noisy but now it is extra noisy and hard to ignore especially as I hate bad bike noise .Its not noisy in the usual freewheel clicking as you coast way but in a loud "POCKATA POCKATA " way when pedaling . The noise is starting to get to me so I am considering trying a more expensive freewheel . I read that the white eno is great but it would cost more than the bike is worth but I am still tempted as I love this bike other than the awful freewheel noises.
Another thing I am maybe blaming the dicta for is the tight spots in the chain (using semi horizontal dropouts to set tension with no device ). When I spin the rear wheel on the stand with the cranks stationary(to rule out eccentricities of the front chainring) I can see the chain bob up and down significantly . I reckon this is because the dicta freewheel is spinning a very imperfect circle .
So would a more expensive freewheel help with tight spots and be quieter ?
Im also looking into the possibility that the dropouts are misaligned and causing the chain to bind at points ,
Thanks for any inputs
B
06-24-18, 05:58 AM
#2
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There are plenty of decent inexpensive SS freewheels such as the ACS Crossfire that costs about $20 that runs quiet and concentric, so you don’t need to spend more for basic functionality. That being said, your chain slack problem may also be due to a non-concentric chainring. Finally, a badly worn chain can also affect chain slack, as the chain links don’t necessarily wear evenly. As to you question regarding mis-aligned dropouts affecting uneven chain slack, the answer is no.
