New chain clatter/cracking sound ( Vado,11 speed )

[PaD]

Put on a new chain two days ago. Did this myself and it was trouble free as far as I can see. However it makes a noise and vibration when I put pressure on the cranks ( of course the motor adds even more force). It’s smooth and quiet under low pressure.

Bought the chain, a KMC e11, from the Specialized Concept Store where I bought the Vado 5.0. I’ve only done about 2500km or 1600miles on the old chain but it had stretched to the 0.5 mark on a Park Tools chain checker.

The mech at the Concept store told me to carefully clean the crank wheel and he looked at it briefly and didn’t think it was worn too much. I’ve cleand the crank wheel and I’ve done about 35km ( 22miles) since I put the chain on but I still have that clatter or cracking.
The original chain was probably a Shimano Ultegra.
Is this common?

 

[AHicks]

Spokes?

Mine started doing something similar. I thought the rear derailer had come out of adjustment. But after cleaning and adjusting that to perfection, the noise was still there. Only when I am pedaling. This last ride I tricked the noise into revealing itself. I was pedaling along listening to this noise and wondered what would happen if I engaged the cruise and stopped pedaling. Sure enough, the noise didn't change a bit with the cruise engaged and no pedaling. That's spokes I'm thinking.... Will know more later today maybe.

 

[PaD]

Either you need lube... or your chain is too long. Did you use the same number of links?

The new chain is one link shorter than the old so I don’t think it’s too long.
Could try more lube.

 

[rich c]

Could be a stiff link. Flex all the links by hand.

 

[PaD]

Spokes?

Mine started doing something similar. I thought the rear derailer had come out of adjustment. But after cleaning and adjusting that to perfection, the noise was still there. Only when I am pedaling. This last ride I tricked the noise into revealing itself. I was pedaling along listening to this noise and wondered what would happen if I engaged the cruise and stopped pedaling. Sure enough, the noise didn't change a bit with the cruise engaged and no pedaling. That's spokes I'm thinking.... Will know more later today maybe.

Not spokes in my case. Its only when I put pressure on pedals. Can feel the vibration in the crank.

 

[PaD]

Could be a stiff link. Flex all the links by hand.

It’s not like once per revolution, it’s a constant ”brrrrrr” when applying more than just a lttle pressure on pedals.

 

[PaD]

The Vado crankwheel is difficult to inspect properly as you cannot take the rotating chain guard off unless you remove the crankwheel. Screws for the chain guard are on the inside and on the 40tooth wheel you can’t reach them. Someone put a motor in the way

 

[PaD]

Since you have 1 less link, you should raise the clearance height of your derailleur from the ground. Given that you have a fairly high end bike, I’m pretty sure your derailleur has that option.

Thanks for that information. It was news to me. I’ll look into it.
It’s a Deore XT Dynasys 11

 

[TurboComo5.0]

Have you tried adjusting your rear derailleur, sometimes changing to a different chain requires you to make small adjustments to the derailleur.

 

[PaD]

Have you tried adjusting your rear derailleur, sometimes changing to a different chain requires you to make small adjustments to the derailleur.

That’s something I wasn’t aware of. Need learn about that.
Anyway I will have my Specialized dealer take a look.

 

[PaD]

A new crank wheel made everything run smooth again. I didn’t think it was worn too much but apparently it was enough to cause problem with a fresh chain.
Now I have to rethink the exchange cycle. Either change chain earlier and hope no sprockets will complain or ride everything, chain and front and rear sprockets, longer and change it all at the same time.
For now I just want to ride with my new chain and front sprocket as it feels so good

 

[PaD]

I’m glad you got it sorted out. I know just how frustrating this can be. I’ve been through a list of glitches that range from bizarre to downright Vodoo magic.

You have a good mechanic though as he identified your issue quickly. That’s really important.

The Specialized front sprocket wasn’t cheap but they only charged me $10 for labour and also included a little brake disc tweaking.
And the mechanic rode the bike to apply pressure on crank and chain.
I have a 2 year adjustment service included in bike purchase. No repair if I brake parts myself or want to add/install gear but still nice to get gears and brakes adjusted regularly.

 

[indianajo]

I think it's bizarre you wore out a front sprocket. I've ridden a pedal bike 10000 miles? (8 years) and worn the middle rear sprocket so the chain jumped, but never the front.

 

[PaD]

I think it's bizarre you wore out a front sprocket. I've ridden a pedal bike 10000 miles? (8 years) and worn the middle rear sprocket so the chain jumped, but never the front.

I agree. Wasn’t expecting this.
I’m surprised . I have lubed the chain. On my Vado 4.0 I had last year I rode 3000km ( 1900miles) and didn’t see any chain wear over the 0.5 mark on chain checker tool.
The chain on my new Vado 5.0 showed wear over 0.5 after 2500km (approx. 1550 miles ) That’s too early I think even if I know there is a lot more force on chain and sprocket compared to regular bikes. I didn’t make to 10000 miles on my regular pedal bike before sprocket change but maybe 5000miles.
I don’t ride very fast as this is a EU bike but I like to keep cadence at 90.
Maybe I changed the chain too early. May try a different front sprocket next time.

 

[tallpaul]

Just went through the same thing with my Haibike Full7. New chain made a racket when pedaling with force, turns out it was indeed the front chainring. Replaced it and all is quiet now. About 5k miles on the bike. Have had to replace chains about every 1400 miles or so.Even with the supposedly stronger KMC ebike specific chains. And I have always been meticulous with maintenance on the drive train.
Oh well, in the end its worth it. Ebikes are the best thing, especially for an old guy like me (don't feel old when I'm riding!)

 

[PaD]

I’ve just changed the 36T front chainring on my Haibike. It makes a world of difference and is like getting a new bike when you change chain and cassette as well (which I did). I think I’ll be doing this every 7000 kms at most. The smaller chainring was absolutely shot and was starting to look like a UK Toblerone chocolate bar rather than a Swiss one.

For those who don’t get it, Google “UK Toblerone outrage”

I’ll probably change chain and sprocket at the same time next time. Hope it will not be as early as 2500km next time though.
Here, have some chocolate

 

[PaD]

lol. Just as long as it's not the UK variant with half the mountains.

Sh.t, I forgot to check that.
Well, I didn’t order it so it doesn’t matter much for the moment anyway