masi61

I just installed a new 9 speed KMC X9 chain and a Shimano Ultegra 6500 9 speed 12-23 cassette on my road bike. I had to tweak the index adjuster knob on the rear derailleur to make sure it shifted cleanly. I'm pretty sure I got it mostly spot on. My problem is limited to a grindy or gravelly sound in certain middle cogs when in my middle chainring mostly. I am using an Ultegra 6603 triple crank. I did not play around with the "B" screw. My rear derailleur is an Ultegra 6500 GS long cage. I did remove links from the chain to match the previous chain. I just returned from a 38 mile ride and mostly everything is bliss. I could have sworn that the grindy sound I was hearing on the bike stand died down pretty quick, like the new chain just needed to be put under load in order to mesh fully with the cassette cog teeth. But then when I thought is was a non-issue, I seemed to detect the grindy sound continuing.
I was just curious what other's new chain/cassette install experiences have been. I've never used Shimano branded chains with my triple Ultegra / Dura Ace 9 speed drivetrain. I have also experienced the same sound with other chains I have used such as Wipperman and IRD. It didn't do it too much with the SRAM PC991 that I last ran, but that chain seemed to have lasted only 3,000 miles or so before becoming overstretched. So now I'm giving the KMC X9 "vivid" a try.
Could folks provided some comparison/feedback about what degree of chain/cog perfection you typically attain? Thanks, from Bill.

ramzilla

It's like the problem I have with the bikes down at the beach house. Sand gets in the drivetrain & I get a grinding sounds. Sand just sticks all over the chain & cassette. Have to take em off & soak em periodically.

berner

Those middle cogs may be worn. How many miles on them?

revcp 

When I adjust shifting I typically start with the chain in the middle ring (assuming two up front) and the middle cog in the rear. What combination were you in when you adjusted the shifting?

AnkleWork

No one here can see the source of the noise. You'll have to take your bike to somebody who can look at the problem and the derailleur adjustment.

masi61

It is a brand new cassette.

masi61

I think I started in the second smallest cog - the 13 tooth. And shifted through the range. I have the Park Tools derailleur hanger adjuster. I have checked my other bikes but never checked this bike yet. Since I've had the frame since new, and I never really bumped the hanger - I just assumed it would be perpendicular & let the derailleur pulleys run concentric.

ramzilla

Did your teenage son borrow it without telling you & ride it down a dirt road?

70sSanO

If you start in the middle cog can you dial it out? When you shift off the middle and then back does it come back? My experience with hanger issues is that it doesn't get better at the extremes.

Could it be the shifter? I have some well used 7 speed LX shifters I have regulated to a flat bar urban bike and there are similar alignment issues and I have to shift out and back to get them to go away.

John

curbowman

I've been having the exact same problem on a new 9-speed cassette. I'll be following this thread with interest!

headasunder

how many kms have your chainrings done, sounding like a tractor after a new chain is fitted is usuallly my first hint that the chainrings are worn still plenty of kms left in them just noisy.

masi61

The chainrings have about 7,000 miles in them. The "tractor" noise (as you say) is eminating from the rear cassette area - specifically the 19 & 21 teeth cogs I believe.

revcp 

Get a new cassette and chain.

Sorry, my bad. I forgot you had already installed a new chain and cassette.

Matt Gaunt

I have 6603 cranks on two of my bikes, both of which run 10s Ultegra cassettes and chains. Installing a new chain and cassette on either bike means perfect shifting and consistent cog/chain meshing all through the cassette range.


Without seeing the bike or hearing the noise you're describing, this suggestion may be way off, but have you checked that your derailleur hanger is straight? Indexing a cassette to perfection with a bent mech hanger is pretty much impossible, even if the hanger is only slightly out.

masi61

Yeah, the derailleur hanger is going to be checked on my next day off.
To the person that said to get a new chain & cassette: I previously stated that I already did that.