Cycling UK Forum

I just replaced the chain, cassette and derailleur pulley wheels on my Campag Veloce 10 speed triple.
All were well worn. I didn't replace the chain rings because they don't look that worn.
Everything works smoothly as it should on a 20 mile test ride but... there is a loud tick coming from the drivetrain area. The tick doesn't have a regular rhythm and is there on all three rings.
Typically it is impossible to locate where precisely the noise is coming from. And again typically, it doesn't make the sound when the bike is up on the stand (as opposed to be ridden)!
Is it likely to be the old drivetrain 'disagreeing' with the rest of the set up? Should I shell out on new rings?

Is it limited to one chainring? Probably the middle?

I fitted 40/24 to my Campag 10 speed triple to make an "alpine double", hence the 40 is my big ring. One year I changed chain etc and found chain suck problems with the chainring. It took a while to figure out because it only happened when riding, even a very short distance. I fitted a new ring and all was well. That is the only chainring I think I've worn out in more than 50 years, but it is also the only small (ish) chainring that has been in almost constant use and also my only 10 speed set up.

Did you replace the chain as well?
Is there a stiff link in the chain?

[Edit]Did you check the bottom bracket?

Garry Booth wrote: ↑17 Jul 2022, 11:40am I just replaced the chain, cassette and derailleur pulley wheels on my Campag Veloce 10 speed triple.
All were well worn. I didn't replace the chain rings because they don't look that worn.
Everything works smoothly as it should on a 20 mile test ride but... there is a loud tick coming from the drivetrain area. The tick doesn't have a regular rhythm and is there on all three rings.
Typically it is impossible to locate where precisely the noise is coming from. And again typically, it doesn't make the sound when the bike is up on the stand (as opposed to be ridden)!
Is it likely to be the old drivetrain 'disagreeing' with the rest of the set up? Should I shell out on new rings?

Keep an open mind with mysterious noises but it seems unlikely that all three rings would be so equally worn as to make a similar noise.

Thanks all for your helpful comments. The tick/ting sound is heard when I'm on all three rings, including the barely worn granny ring.

I wondered about a stiff link and have peered at it while turning the cranks and it looks ok, including the quick link that I used with the new KMC chain.

If I turn the cranks backwards, thus turning the freewheel around it, does have a very slightly lumpy spot going thru the rear derailleur but no obvious cause for it.

The BB feels ok.

Is there a tab spanning the gap between the cage plates on the rear derailleur? Is the chain on the correct side so it’s not in contact with the tab?

Garry Booth wrote: ↑17 Jul 2022, 3:22pm Thanks all for your helpful comments. The tick/ting sound is heard when I'm on all three rings, including the barely worn granny ring.

I wondered about a stiff link and have peered at it while turning the cranks and it looks ok, including the quick link that I used with the new KMC chain.

If I turn the cranks backwards, thus turning the freewheel around it, does have a very slightly lumpy spot going thru the rear derailleur but no obvious cause for it.

The BB feels ok.

That sounds very like a stiff link. Run the chain backwards slowly so you can narrow down where it is. Can be fixed using a chain tool or by waggling the chain from side to side.

If the offending tick doesn't have a regular rhythm, it's likely the chain has a link or rivet that's proud of the proper chain-width. This will catch various things as it goes past them or over them, making the tick of the catch irregular (or with a repeating pattern so lengthy you can't easily spot it).

The most likely spot of the chain to be proud is the place you joined it.

Cugel

Cugel wrote: ↑17 Jul 2022, 4:39pm If the offending tick doesn't have a regular rhythm, it's likely the chain has a link or rivet that's proud of the proper chain-width. This will catch various things as it goes past them or over them, making the tick of the catch irregular (or with a repeating pattern so lengthy you can't easily spot it).

The most likely spot of the chain to be proud is the place you joined it.

Cugel

He joined it with a quick link.

peetee wrote: ↑17 Jul 2022, 3:28pm Is there a tab spanning the gap between the cage plates on the rear derailleur? Is the chain on the correct side so it’s not in contact with the tab?

I've been caught by that one, but realised moments after joining the chain

531colin wrote: ↑17 Jul 2022, 5:13pm

Cugel wrote: ↑17 Jul 2022, 4:39pm If the offending tick doesn't have a regular rhythm, it's likely the chain has a link or rivet that's proud of the proper chain-width. This will catch various things as it goes past them or over them, making the tick of the catch irregular (or with a repeating pattern so lengthy you can't easily spot it).

The most likely spot of the chain to be proud is the place you joined it.

Cugel

He joined it with a quick link.

A quick link can be badly joined, with one of the plates sticking out where its failed to properly grasp the pin end. It's then weak and can snap but may function for a while first. Ask me how I know this.

Cugel

is the quick link the correct one for the chain? is it installed fully? is it orientated correctly?

if the noise is the quick link then it wouldn't give a 'regular' noise when using the three chain rings as it comes around at a different rate.

also you changed the derailleur pulleys. are they different for upper and lower?

Thanks a lot everyone, as soon as it cools down a bit I'm going to examine the chain more closely, especially around the 'quick link'.
I'll let you know! G