Shifting adjustment

[Dave]

I had posted a few weeks ago about running an 8spd der on a 9 spd drivetrain. I ended up doing this and the bike shifts pretty good in the stand, but when riding it, I get a creaking sound, I think it's coming from the derailler. When I shift into the granny up front, the chain sucks up and over the chainstay. Any thoughts???? I'm wondering if my chain is too long, and if the creaking is maybe just one of the pulleys on the derailler?? The rear hub is tight, the chain and cassette are brand new. Maybe I shouldn't be so cheap and get a new derailler. Any thoughts.
By the way, the bike is a Planet X jack Flash, the cassette is an 11-34, the derailler is a 98 XT with a newer XT 9 speed shifter.

[Slider]

If the granny is worn, and he chain is new, it will suck like you describe. You have to be real careful mixing old and new drivetrain parts. Any sign of hooking in the rings means no-go with a new chain.

Chain length: Shift to middle ring, middle cog. The derailler pulleys should be roughly perpendicular to the ground. If the lower pully is forward, add a link. If it is aft of the upper pulley, remove a link.

The "squeaking" sound is a little vague. Check crank bolt tightness. Is the derailler new? If not, remove the pulleys and clean and grease the bushings. Use lots of Locktite to make sure those pulley bolts stay in place.

Last check on derailler adjustment: Put in any gear. Sighting from the rear, use the adjuster barrel to place the upper pully directly in the middle of the chain roller. That should make it run silently.

This is all pretty hard to do virtually, without seeing the patient!

Slider

[Quo Fan]

If you read the Shimano lit about chainlength, put the chain around the largest cog, and the largest chainring and add 2 links. Personally, I found this to be a hair too long, so I don't add the 2 links. Works for me.

Noises are almost impossible to correct without actually hearing the noise and where it's comming from. We can give you our best guesses, but that is what they are, guesses. Make sure your drivetrain is absolutely clean. Grease and dirt reek havoc with a drive train, causing all sorts of weird problems. Lube the drive train properly, and then check to see if your noises had gone away.

[slapheadmofo]

If the granny is worn, and he chain is new, it will suck like you describe. You have to be real careful mixing old and new drivetrain parts.


Very true. If you've got some miles on the chainrings, it's a good idea to change them out when you do the rest of the drivetrain. You can usually get away with leaving the big ring alone, as the granny and middle take more of a beating. Putting on a new chain on a regular basis will make you rings last longer; once a chain gets stretched out some it starts wearing teeth out of shape.