Under load, the chain “pops” on the cassette, as if it comes misaligned and then snaps back into place on the cog. Not quite as heavy as when the chain almost shifts to next cog, but definitely sounds and feels as if the chain is coming un-meshed from the teeth and then popping back into place. This happens in most of the cassette, so I don’t think it’s the “teeth tolerance” issue I’ve seen people discuss regarding a specific cog.
Bike pedals and shifts flawlessly in the workstand.
So far I have checked/confirmed:
New chain
Cassette does not appear worn
Hangar is straight
Torqued all suspension pivot bolts
Torqued rear through-axle
I’m stumped and it is keeping me from riding in beautiful weather because I can’t stand a noisy bike.
I’ve had similar things when the cogs got worn, I’d second that theory. It can be really hard to tell just by looking at the cogs if they are worn. If it seemed to start with the new chain, I’d bet that’s the culprit.
I’m gonna put a cassette on it (ouch); I think I don’t consider cassette wear often because I don’t keep bikes long enough and I stretch chains so quickly that they don’t ride on the cassette too long
Chains are relatively cheap compared to cassettes. I will change the chain every three or four hundred miles on the MTB(way before it shows stretch on a gauge) which seems to really prolong the life of a cassette.
Well, there’s damage to every pawl that looks indicative to “almost” engaging and then being forced backwards. There was also a flake of something on the tip of one pawl.
They all spring back freely but are pretty chewed up and some now have tips that are curved in the wrong direction at the very end.
Have you checked the B limit? Not sure about whether the Trance is full suspension, but as Sram GX wears it becomes more susceptible to b-limit adjustments.
As I understand it, you have to set this limit while the bike is under load (ie sag is engaged) for maximum performance.