Loud clicking noise from hub

[Nemo]

Hi everyone I think my hub is caput. The chain snapped on my way to work, at the time I thought it was one of those things. However the chain is now replaced and on my way home when I put some force through the pedals there is a loud clunking/clicking noise coming from the drivetrain. I can feel a slight vibration through the pedals to go with it. When I'm just pedalling normally I can't hear anything much. The gears all index correctly and I have emailed rohloff but no answer from them yet so I thought I would try the forum for help if anyone has any ideas.

[Matt2matt2002]

Sure its the hub?
Noise from the rear?
Not the bottom bracket? Bottom of the frame near the pedals?

[Nemo]

Thanks for that I will take it out for. Test ride in the morning to see if I can be more specific.

[geocycle]

Sorry to hear that.  Two things to consider. Check the rear skewer is not too tight. That can cause noises like that from the hub. Also could the problem be the new chain not seating on old chain ring and sprockets? If so try reversing them?

[Donerol]

Also could the problem be the new chain not seating on old chain ring and sprockets?

This sounds the most likely cause to me, assuming you haven't touched the back wheel at all. If the chain broke because it was worn, it would also have worn the chainring teeth enough to cause the effect you describe with a new chain.

[Nemo]

Thanks for all your replies. Rohloff themselves have suggested as some of you have done that this may be the chain not seating in the sprocket so I will be buying a new one to see if this solves the problem. Many thanks for your help so far.

[mickeg]

If you have an even number of teeth on your chainring or rear cog, the teeth can wear in an odd way and you may need to move the chain by one tooth to a different position on the chainring or rear cog to accommodate the way it has worn.  If however you have an odd number of teeth, this is not the problem.

More info on this here:
http://sheldonbrown.com/chain-life.html

I cut a little notch in one tooth in my rear cog (16t) and in my chainring (44t) and when I put the chain on I make sure that the link with the outer plates go over the teeth with the notch.

[JimK]

the chain not seating in the sprocket

hate to say it, but the chainring may need to be replaced too!

But... very possible that both the sprocket and the chainring are reversible. You could try just flipping them both and that might fix the problem.

I have definitely experience quite a racket from running a new chain on worn sprocket & chainring. I just tolerated it for a few hundred miles while the noise slowly lessened. I think this was technically an abuse of the chain... maybe I can plead that it was in the interest of science!

[buckeye]

I just took possession of a 2010 RST purchased on eBay.  Before purchasing, I spent a good deal of time in this forum.  I started riding last year on a Trek Malone 5.2.  The Trek is a very nice road bike, but I have recently set my sights on a few tours this season and a journey next year from Ohio to Maine.  I required something to handle a moderate load.  I wanted a first-rate bike, but I admit that my purchase was made, in part, because the Thorn/Rohloff would garner some attention in my neck of the woods.  The RST arrived well packed with just a bit of assembly needed.
My maiden ride was last evening.  I noticed a faint "crackling" or "popping" sound when pedaling.  The most obvious source was the Rohloff or crank assembly.  While I didn't panic, I initially regretted making the purchase, which was a bit risky, since no one locally is qualified to repair or adjust the rear hub.  I found this post loosened the rear hub a touch and the problem was cured! 

Thank you...

My first impression is that the RST will fit me nicely.  It is as nimble as my Trek, although, obviously, not as quick.  The bigger tires are a godsend where the pavement is rough or strewn with gravel.

[Danneaux]

Hi Buckeye!

With that moniker, I'm guessing you might indeed be from mid-America. Welcome to the Forum and to Thorn ownership.

I'm so glad the clicking problem on your bike was so easily resolved, and you can look forward to the long and loyal service most can expect from a Rohloff drivetrain -- even better, one mated to a bike as lively and versatile as the RST. A lot of fun lies ahead for you. All best wishes on your journey next year.

With best regards,

Dan.

[mickeg]

Yes, a Rohloff steel frame touring bike is certainly not equivalent to a carbon race bike like the Madone.

I do not know where you are, but I am guessing (like Dan did) that you are located in USA and do not know of anyone locally that is familiar with Rohloff bikes.  I have a neighbor that has been a part time bike mechanic for many years, he has told me that my Rohloff bike is the only one he has ever seen.

If you have not looked at the owner manual yet, you should.  If the previous owner did not change the oil in the hub for a while, you should.  There is a short video on the internet for instructions on how to do that, not sure the link but a google search will find it.  I have found Rohloff oil change kits on Amazon at a reasonably good price.  I assume you have figured out how to correctly tension the chain with the eccentric.  The oil change kit comes with 25ml of oil, but you only need to put in 15ml.

If your rims are labeled Carbide Super Sonic by Rigida or by Ryde, you need to use special brake pads that I do not know if you can buy anywhere in USA.  When I built up my Nomad, I bought spare brake pads, thus I have not tried to source them here.  If your rims are not labeled that way, forget I mentioned it, any brake pads should work.

Good luck.

[Danneaux]

There is a short video on the internet for instructions on how to do that, not sure the link but a google search will find it.

Helpful Thorn videos linked from here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/specialism-2
Thorn oil change video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVhmgqICNhU&feature=youtu.be

Best,

Dan.