Noisy fixie drivetrain
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Noisy fixie drivetrain
Hello, I'm a complete newbie to single speed and fixed gear bikes. I recently got a fixie with a flip-flop hub and have been riding single speed with the freewheel for the past couple weeks. Today I flipped it around to fixed for the first time and it's quite noisy. The freewheel side was a perfectly quiet, smooth ride. I don't know if this is normal for fixed gears but it's pretty annoying because it sounds like there's something wrong. I tried different chain tensions but there was no difference. To my untrained eye, the chainline appears to be straight, but maybe slightly off. What else could be causing this? I also have two videos:
![](https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1120x2000/117621577_301047094660288_5644975665048013342_n_49e747d7304c7d63e3a16f9e25bee4eb77e207cd.jpg)
#2
Senior Member
I would check the rear hub bearings, cones, and races. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with chainline, chain, or gears.
Also check that there are no loose spokes.
Also check that there are no loose spokes.
#3
Full Member
If it doesn't make that noise in single speed, but does in fixed, then it's something at the back end. So that means not the chainring, and the chain alone is not the issue.
It's not the chain line, and the chain looks well lubricated.
I wonder, is your chain the right width for your fixed cog? If it is a size too narrow (say 3/16 instead of 1/4) that may be the issue.
It's not the chain line, and the chain looks well lubricated.
I wonder, is your chain the right width for your fixed cog? If it is a size too narrow (say 3/16 instead of 1/4) that may be the issue.
#4
Senior Member
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I'm with Mikefule. I think the chain is not seating properly with the teeth of the fixed cog. It's (chain) probably been mated to the freewheel over the miles.
How old is the bike?
How old is the bike?
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#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
#7
Live Healthy
Hello, I'm a complete newbie to single speed and fixed gear bikes. I recently got a fixie with a flip-flop hub and have been riding single speed with the freewheel for the past couple weeks. Today I flipped it around to fixed for the first time and it's quite noisy. The freewheel side was a perfectly quiet, smooth ride. I don't know if this is normal for fixed gears but it's pretty annoying because it sounds like there's something wrong. I tried different chain tensions but there was no difference. To my untrained eye, the chainline appears to be straight, but maybe slightly off. What else could be causing this? I also have two videos:
https://youtu.be/ZT4F6wD_IOs
https://youtu.be/v_Gdd_AzQJ8
![](https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1120x2000/117621577_301047094660288_5644975665048013342_n_49e747d7304c7d63e3a16f9e25bee4eb77e207cd.jpg)
https://youtu.be/ZT4F6wD_IOs
https://youtu.be/v_Gdd_AzQJ8
![](https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1120x2000/117621577_301047094660288_5644975665048013342_n_49e747d7304c7d63e3a16f9e25bee4eb77e207cd.jpg)
#8
Ups!
Rinse in a closed polyethylene bottle with gasoline or kerosene twice, dry. Lubricate with bike chain silicone lubricant. Clear the stars.
#9
Guest
Also, go ahead and measure your chainline. You might need to mount the chainring on the inside of the spider arms.
Last edited by Rolla; 09-07-20 at 04:13 PM.
#10
Junior Member
I'm with Rolla here.
Is it possible that you just put a new chain on a cog/ring you've been riding already? The chain will need to wear in to fit the worn (even if only a little bit) teeth. In bikes with gears, you generally change your cassette when you change your chain so everything wears evenly. That way your chain isn't wearing out your cassette, or your cassette isn't wearing out your chain.
Best of luck
Is it possible that you just put a new chain on a cog/ring you've been riding already? The chain will need to wear in to fit the worn (even if only a little bit) teeth. In bikes with gears, you generally change your cassette when you change your chain so everything wears evenly. That way your chain isn't wearing out your cassette, or your cassette isn't wearing out your chain.
Best of luck
#11
Ups!
Make sure everything is clean first. And only then carefully measure and examine the wear of all components. As an option: throw all this household into the trash and buy a new one.
#15
Guest
Thanks - I re-read your post and deleted mine just before you posted this.
Yeah, I don't know if it has anything to do with the square aspect, but something's up with the chain/cog/chainring interface.
Yeah, I don't know if it has anything to do with the square aspect, but something's up with the chain/cog/chainring interface.
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#16
Senior Member
I believe it is a new chain being used with a worn cog. I did this once and the noise was incredible! It was worse when under power. I only rode a couple hundred yards and turned around to put the old chain back on. Install a new rear cog and you should be quiet.
#17
Sources of sound can be many many thing.
-Your pedals bearing loose, its crazy but its true for me, try remove pedals and spin it, for me its gone. So I end up buy quality pedals to replace it.
-Too tight chain
-New chain (most new chain need some sitting before its quiet down)
-Out of chainline, freewheel and fixed flip-flop often not have the same chainline, you may get fine line freewheel, when filpped to fixed, you are out.
-Your pedals bearing loose, its crazy but its true for me, try remove pedals and spin it, for me its gone. So I end up buy quality pedals to replace it.
-Too tight chain
-New chain (most new chain need some sitting before its quiet down)
-Out of chainline, freewheel and fixed flip-flop often not have the same chainline, you may get fine line freewheel, when filpped to fixed, you are out.
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#20
bill nyecycles
sometimes a 1/8 chain rattling around on a 3/32 cog makes that noise
#21
Ups!
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#22
On a serious note, in the rare event I am biking near pedestrians I always have to announce my presence. If I don't, they never hear the bike coming and are startled as I pass by.
#24
Experienced the exact same thing. The noise was unreal. Replaced with dura ace and its buttery quiet.