Hope someone can shed some light on this problem I’m having.
I have a new slx 11×36 cassette, slx medium cageshadow derailleur (not the plus version) and a 38t superstar nw ring. New xt shifter and new kmc x10-93 chain. The crank was a shimano alivio triple and the single is mounted where the middle ring was.
This setup has done about 10 miles and is on my commuter.
I spent an hour yesterday indexing and checking everything but still have the following problem.
The top 4 gears on the sprocket when riding sound very rough, sounds very similar to when the chain is making contact with the front derailleur.
The other 6 gears are spot on. No noise and very smooth.
All gears change very smooth and crisp but the top 4 just a tiny bit worse than the other 6.
Pictures attached to see if anyone can guide to where the problem might be.
From research and reading. Chainline will always be off at the very highest gear. I did measure chainline it’s any 50mm. Very smooth and quiet on smaller 6 sprockets.
Sounds like b knuckle tension, hard to tell from photos. Make sure there’s enough clearance between upper jockey wheel and cassette, If thats ok check hanger alignment.
I will have a look at the hanger. The hanger was new not long ago. Maybe three. Months. Bikes ever only used on the road. No crashes or knocks. Don’t think it’s ever been dropped on the hanger side. Old kit was working fine.
Anyone know if it makes a difference. Old derailleur was a sram x4. Would the hangers be different or the same for the slx medium cage shadow I have now?
Had this a couple of times myself,I suspect it is a combination of chain length and chain line. Try adding a link or two to the chain and see if that cures it. On my 1×10 and 1 x 11 the mech isn’t as far across as it is in your pics and they are both 42 sprockets.Many run it like that but I dont.As long as the mech isn’t rubbing in the lowest gear you will be fine extending the chain.I did have an issue where I couldnt extend the chain anymore without it causing problems in the highest gear so I took out a bottom bracket spacer and that cured it.
The following pictures show the chainline (not the best photos) in the lowest gear and around the middle. You will notice the weird angle of the chain near the sprocket in the lowest gear.
Middle
Lowest gear
How do i remedy this?
The chainring is a 38, bikes used only for commuting.
I have literally a 2-3mm gap between the chainring and frame. See picture.
I cant push the chainring in using spacers because of the above.
What solutions can you guys suggest? Go double or use a smaller chain ring?
Or have i missed something and the above can be rectified?