I just waxed my chain for the first time. Put it back on, had a little trouble with the quick link where I would fall apart in the rear derailer, but managed to get it said.
However, on my test ride, I’m getting this sound? Is this a normal sound for the wax breaking in? It doesn’t seem normal, but I don’t know what it is. Help me lol.
by friendlyguy1989
5 Comments
Your chain looks stiff. This is normal with waxed chains for the first few miles. Just look at how the chain isn’t following a nice, smooth path into the bottom jockey wheel.
It’s good practice to work the chain for a while after you wax it to loosen it up, but you’re going to have to ride it for a while before it’ll settle in and be normal.
And know that grease/gunk absorbs a bunch of normal drivetrain noise, so with a waxed chain there’s a decent chance you’ll hear the drivetrain more, even when it’s working well.
Assuming that you didn’t route the chain over the guard on the cage instead of behind it, then maybe add tension into the B screw adjustment to move the upper jockey wheel a little farther away from your cassette.
Is the chain reinstalled on the wrong side of the little metal tab in between the two pulleys on your derailleur cage? It sounds like it’s rubbing on that tab.
1. Shimano chains are directional. Install them on the wrong side and it won’t be good.
2. Wax is still fresh and stiff, there is still excess wax and maybe goops of wax that is stiff but it will loosen up overtime. Alternatively, you can break in the chain yourself by hand.
Looks like the upper jockey wheels is hitting the cassette