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So I recently changed the 3 x 10 setup on my 29er to a 1 x 10 setup using a Hope 32t retainer ring. The setup consists of SLX cranks, shifter and rear mech (still the long cage mech from the previous setup), XT cassette (11-36) and SRAM 1091chain. Loving the drop in weight and easier cleaning with the single ring and no front mech but I’ve noticed it’s a much noisier setup with more drag in the drivetrain. Is this normal or will it get quieter with wear? I do have a 11 speed cassette (11-42), shifter and medium cage rear mech to put on in the future.
Trevor.
I've used Hope, Raceface and Absolute Black chainrings without undue noise. Then again I suppose that depends on what you'd regard as "undue noise". I certainly haven't noticed any drag with any of the setups - usually XT mech at the back.
A couple of numpty questions but worth getting out of the way:
Is the chain correctly mounted on the chainring? I.e. the wider links are on the wider teeth?
Have you threaded the chain through the jockey arm correctly?
Is it a new chain to match the new ring ?
Pretty sure it’s set up correctly but now you’ve said it I’ll check!
New chain, cassette and ring, yes.
Just checked, chain wasn’t on the chainring correctly as above. Hopefully that’s it!
I made the switch last year so I remember quite well, and I do find it noisier.
Just been back to it again. The chain only fits on the chainring one way, the wide teeth on the chainring fit into the narrow links on the chain. The chain links won’t slide onto the teeth any other way. So that isn’t it. I have put on a hollow pin chain this time, could that make more noise? I think it’s just a case of 1x is generally noisier, possibly owing to the chainring teeth having more of a purchase on the chain?
My home brew 1x10 setup was pretty rough sounding and feeling in the big sprocket until it bedded in. It's not as smooth as the 11speed nx on my full sus. I think this is partly down to chainline and because the mech and chain were not designed for such an extreme setup. It works well enough though.
I personally find that a shimano chain will be quieter and shift better on a shimano cassette, Sram chain with Sram cassette etc. Used various brands of chainring ( on a 1 x 11 setup ) and can't say I've noticed much difference between any so far ( raceface, absolute black, burgtec and hope)
Not all drop stop rings are created equal. I've found some to be noisy and wear quickly, others less so.
The single largest factor for noise and war on 1x is chainline. What's yours?
Personally I'd push it in as far as I could go. On my old turner Sultan I think I pushed it in to something like 46mm. It ran lovely, but the rear tyre sidewall was quite oily!