Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Squeaking noise from drivetrain - Small chainring only

Hi,

My bike has developed an annoying squeaking noise. Bike is silent until I put it in the small chainring, then the squeaking happens. It happens constantly throughout the pedal stroke.

Chain is pretty much new and well lubed with FinishLine wetlube, I dropped some drylube into the center of the jockeywheels as well. It doesn't happen when I'm not pedalling, so can't be the wheel bearings I guess.

I also took the rear derailleur off and greased the thread that mounts it on the hanger and the whole area where it interfaces with the hanger.

Any ideas, as it's getting bloody annoying!

 

 

 

 

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

10 comments

Avatar
oceansoul | 4 years ago
0 likes

check the chainring bolts length, mine was about 0.5mm too long so even though it was tightened to spec the chainrings are loose, on larger chainring there is more chain tension so you would not hear the creaking

Avatar
srchar | 5 years ago
0 likes

Lower jockey wheel.

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
0 likes

Cant you put the bike up on a stand and try listening.  The noise might be still audible even though the drive is unloaded from resistance.

Avatar
Nick T | 5 years ago
1 like

Can’t hurt, it’s easy enough to do. Just make a note of which way round the removable side of the cage goes for reassembly. Depending on your groupset, there might be metal covers that keep the bushings protected, these will stop you being able to get lubricant where it’s needed so disassembly is the only option. 

Avatar
Nick T | 5 years ago
1 like

Try oiling your jockey wheels

Avatar
Shav replied to Nick T | 5 years ago
0 likes

Nick T wrote:

Try oiling your jockey wheels

Hi,

To me it does seem to be coming from that area of the bike, so I’d like to try this. As mentioned previously, I squirted some drylube into where the jockey wheel and metal bit in the center join. 

Should I take them off the RD and take apart / regrease?

 

 

Avatar
Spangly Shiny | 5 years ago
1 like

You say that the chain is pretty much new; how about the inner ring, any chance that it could be worn?

Failing that it's worth eliminating the usual suspects, chainring bolts, BB, pedal spindles etc.

Avatar
Shav replied to Spangly Shiny | 5 years ago
0 likes

Spangly Shiny wrote:

You say that the chain is pretty much new; how about the inner ring, any chance that it could be worn?

Failing that it's worth eliminating the usual suspects, chainring bolts, BB, pedal spindles etc.

Hi, 

The crankset is fairly new, swapped it over on a bike I got last year, so it’s probably done 2,000 miles max, and doesn’t look worn at all.

 

 

 

 

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
1 like

Bottom bracket is always worth a look.  What bike, year and type of bottom bracket?

Avatar
Shav replied to CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
0 likes

CXR94Di2 wrote:

Bottom bracket is always worth a look.  What bike, year and type of bottom bracket?

It’s a 2014 SuperSix Evo, with a Chris King PF30 BB. Put the Chris King in as I was having the usual creaking issues with PF30 BB’s. I’ve had it for two and a half years and had to remove / re-install a year back as was creaking. Now with Loctite and fingers crossed no creaks. 

I will say that the noise the bike is now making is different to the usual PF30 creaking noise, it’s pretty constant whereas the BB creak happens once or twice every complete pedal stroke.

I might re-grease the BB bearings, but I thought if it was BB related then it would happen on both chainrings?

 

 

Latest Comments