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I have a 2009 514 running on a double and bash set up. On tecchy descents it rattles like a rattly thing. As far as I understand it there may be two ways to sort this and I'd appreciate any advice please as frankly, it's doing my head in!
1. Chainguide such as Blackspire etc.
This seems to be reasonably cheap but would it solve the problem? I also hear that it can add a bit more resistance to the chain when peddaling. Any comments?
2. Shadowplus rear mech.
I hear good things about this but its obviously more expensive. I assume I would also need to replace the cassette with a 10 speed and get a new 10 speed shifter? is that right?
Again - any experience of this would be really helpful.
Many thanks in advance
I have a 2009 514 as it happens and the chain slap noise used to drive me mad, for what it's worth here's my experience;
- First attempt. Took off big ring, changed middle from 32 > 36, fitted an E13 double chain guide, double front mech and a medium cage mech. I hated it and that set-up lasted one ride. The guide was really noisy and I found the gap between granny and 36 ring to be all wrong which meant I had to do way more shifting on the front compared to the triple set up. Lot's of people love this kind of set up (you are halfway there anyway). Blackspire Stingers seem to be more popular (and cheaper) than the E13 one I used.
- Second attempt. Went back to triple and fitted a Bionicon C-guide. Much better in terms of chain slap and ran like that for about 18 months.
- Current set-up. Used a destroyed rear mech as an excuse to change drivetrain over to 2x10 with clutch mech. I find the 24/38 + 11-36 works really well as you can stay in the big ring most of the time and with the clutch the slap is really reduced. There is some chain movement so you get it rattling around in the front mech a bit but the slap is gone.
You are correct that new mech, cassette, chain, shifter is the minimum needed to do it properly but, there is always the bodge of a 10-spd shimano clutch mech + 9-spd SRAM shifter + spacer as a middle way.
Bionicon C Guide?
I'm using the C Guide on my 2011 514 and does a fairly good job but doesn't totally eliminate slap.