Thanks, Ron, Steve, and Dan. Chain: the chain is a modestly-priced SRAM 11 speed and it was waxed using Molten Speed Wax (I shudder every time I say this name) just about exactly 110 miles ago. I generally get 200 to 400 miles between waxings before the chain gets very noisy, and again, it’s only when doing more miles in deeper sand that I have the “rumbling” problem. Do you think that spending more on a Wipperman NsX ss chain would help?
No, it’s not chain threading thru the derailleur cage; that produces a considerably louder and more “rasply” sound. Creaking: I *think* it’s the cable, as when I spritzed the plastic guide with a light lubricant the sound stopped. Yes, when the creaking sound was present, I could feel resistance to lever movement. The RD pivots were lubed when I waxed the chain, 110 miles ago, but I will lube them again. The rd cable is sound, not frayed. Perhaps worth spending for the Dura Ace cables? Will be grateful for any further ideas. On Mon, May 25, 2026 at 4:15 PM Patrick Moore <[email protected]> wrote: > Yes, the rd cable creaks when shifting (Suntour barcons), and the chain > (SRAM 11 speed on custom 10 sp cassette) “rumbles,” both only after ~10 or > so very sandy and dusty miles. Both occurred after last week’s 21 mile > sandy ride along Corrales Lateral and again, after rinsing the bike, on the > homebound leg of the 13 mile rt to church and back via ditchbank roads. > > Rinsing the bike off quiets both but the sounds recur again after a few > more sandy miles. > > I did not rinse the bike after yesterday’s ride, but I did spray a very > light lube over the standard, bolt-on plastic bb cable guide, wiping off > excess, but I daresay that’s not the best solution. > > As to the rumbling, the chain is not rubbing on anything. The fat (80 mm > edge to edge) Kelpie aluminum fender (double gauge alum, in case it > matters) obviously amplifies the sound. I expect that bolting the rear > fender to the underside of the rack (in place of stays), a Matthews custom > with threaded boss for this purpose, increases the resonance. > > Have others experienced this? Does it bother you? Were you able to > eliminate the noise? > > Any thoughts welcome. > > This evening’s rain will compact the sand for a few days, but the surfaces > will loosen again. > > > -- > > Patrick Moore > Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Executive resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, letters, and other writing > services > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > *When thou didst not, savage, k**now thine own meaning,* > > *But wouldst gabble like a** thing most brutish,* > > *I endowed thy purposes w**ith words that made them known.* > -- Patrick Moore Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Executive resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, letters, and other writing services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *When thou didst not, savage, k**now thine own meaning,* *But wouldst gabble like a** thing most brutish,* *I endowed thy purposes w**ith words that made them known.* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfgt_6Cu3usSBYzpw2kniXAbU71k%2BJ13HPbJXQ5WLhWYEpw%40mail.gmail.com.
