I've got a Chorus 12-25 10-speed cassette on a full Veloce build (with Chorus UT crank). The chain is a Wipperman, correctly sized for the Campy 10. Chain, cranks and cassette are the same age and only have a couple of well-maintained months on them.

I was really happy to put the UT crank on the bike, as it improves my chainline somewhat over what I had with a Phil Wood BB and Veloce cranks. That old setup worked fine, but could be a bit finicky to adjust.

The new setup shifts beautifully--better than before, especially in the front--but for some reason I have two noisy rear cogs. If I'm on the 39 in the front, the fourth and fifth cogs (15 and 16, I think) are really noisy. The noise comes under load, and is almost more of a creak or a rattle than clatter you get when things are maladjusted and trying to shift, but it's hard to say. When spinning easy in these two gears, there's no noise. When riding in the 53 ring, they don't make any noise that I've noticed (though I don't ride that big of a gear often). No other gear combinations make this noise (or any noise, actually).

If it were happening in other gears, my first thought would be that the chain is worn or the cogs were worn--that's kind of the sound. But they're both new, the chain measures out like new, and the cogs look fine.

Anybody got any ideas?

I'm getting stronger this year and climbing the little rises on one of our favorite rides in this gear combination more and more often, and the racket is starting to make me crazy.

Nobody has any ideas on this? Dang.

Have you checked the torque on the cassette lockring?

I've noticed that some people have reported noise from Wipperman chains.

Al

Have you checked the torque on the cassette lockring?

I've noticed that some people have reported noise from Wipperman chains.

Al

I haven't checked it since I put it on a couple of months ago, but I did torque it to spec at that time. Wouldn't hurt to check it again, I guess.

If it were the chain, I'd think I'd get that sound on other gears and when just spinning, but I don't. It's weird to me, since these two gears have a very straight chainline, which I would think would reduce the risk of noises.

Check for wear on the freehub body? Not sure, but if those two gears are loose, not on a spider, a worn spot on the freehub could make noise under load. Never had it on a road bike, but it happens on my mountain bike due to the increased torque load the freehub is subjected to with the lower gearing. I know my CK hub on my MTB can be had with a SS freehub body to solve this exact issue.

Check for wear on the freehub body? Not sure, but if those two gears are loose, not on a spider, a worn spot on the freehub could make noise under load. Never had it on a road bike, but it happens on my mountain bike due to the increased torque load the freehub is subjected to with the lower gearing. I know my CK hub on my MTB can be had with a SS freehub body to solve this exact issue.

That's worth a look. I reckon I can check that when I check the torque on the lockring.

I had a similar experience with a Wipperman chain. When it wore out I replaced it with a Campy ultra thin and it is noticeably quieter. I still run it with a Connex link though . I have no proof, but I think the wider Wipperman 10 and Connex may be responsible for the noise as they contact the ramps on the cassette. I know it doesn't make much sense for them to do it when the chain is actually straighter than when you are nearer to a cross chain situation, but that was my unscientific conclusion.

Birddog