Since fitting my XT clutch mech over a year ago I don’t think I have lost the chain once on my 2 x 10 setup.

For this reason alone it has been well worth the money but as far as I can tell its done absolutely nothing to quieten down my bike.

Just a little confused why there are so many people claiming clutch mechs reduce or eliminate chain slap.

Having looked at the marks on my bike from where the chain hits, it appears that the bit of chain that flaps about is the top line rather than the bottom line. It makes sense as the top bit of chain doesn’t look like it can be effected or tensioned by the clutch since its isolated from the rear mech at both ends by the chainring and sprocket.

Discuss….

I’ve fitted clutch mechs on both my FS bikes and am surprised at just how much it’s quelled the chainslap to the point where it’s practically non-existent.

My bike is definitely quieter with the clutch engaged, but it still doesn’t eliminate chain slap entirely as I need to run the chain a bit longer to deal with the 40t T-Rex. If I was running a standard cassette I reckon I could lose a couple of extra links which would almost completely eliminate the slap. My hardtail is even quieter on 1×9, with a clutch-less super short Saint mech, but then I’m able to run the chain quite tight, and the Saint mech has a pretty stiff spring.

I rode my first clutch mech on a Giant Anthem 27.5 i hired in New Zealand about a month ago – it was silent! Was impressed.

Big difference for me (especially on the 224, which sounds like it only has a couple of spoons inside the swingarm instead of the normal cutlery drawer)

Obvious difference for me on rough downhill sections. No chain slap at all with the clutch on. Forgot to switch it on last week and was shocked at the noise when descending. Maybe take a link out of your chain if the rear mech can cope.

An annoying side effect of fitting a clutched mech for me has been that now I notice the *other* noises, like flapping cables pinging off the top tube, rattling brake lever pivot, trail debris bouncing off downtube etc.

Chainslap basically gone from my experience. You can adjust the clutch for a bit more tension if yours is a bit weak, but if you’re finding its the top section flapping that won’t help much. Do you do a lot of back peddling taking tension off the top run?

Northwind – Member

Big difference for me (especially on the 224, which sounds like it only has a couple of spoons inside the swingarm instead of the normal cutlery drawer)

Funnily enough it’s exactly the same when you put one on a Five

Pardon the ignorance, but I’ve just got a new bike with one of these on (didnt even know till a mate pointed it out). Do you engage the clutch and keep it that way all the time, or just switch it, say when doing a long descent ?

Thanks.

Keep it switched on all the time, only turn off to drop the rear wheel out.

I’m wondering – could it be my suspension design. Both frames I’ve had this mech on have suffered lots and both are VPP designs.

Anyone else running clutch mech and VPP?

Oh and yes the clutch is switched on 🙂

plyphon – Member

I rode my first clutch mech on a Giant Anthem 27.5 i hired in New Zealand about a month ago – it was silent!

VPP setup right there ^

God knows then…..
My other bike runs an alfine with no tensioner so maybe my senses are just tuned to absolute silence.

Chain too long?

Chain too long?

couldn’t be a single link shorter or it would pull the mech off on full compression

I’ll let you know. My bike is VPP and will turn it on for the next ride. Cant say that there was much noticeable slap anyway, although the Bronson has a massive big chuck of rubber surrounding the chainstay.

Thanks for your help.

If you have a chain device the noise will probably be the chain whacking sideways into that.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/still-getting-chain-slap-with-a-clutch-mech

My Orange Alpine is pretty much silent (unless braking hard over rough terrain) since fitting an X9 Type 2 mech. As is the Missus’ Covert