What can I do if my bike chain keep making lound noises when I switch gears?

[LoneRyder]

I have an e-bike and every time I switch gears, it makes a loud cranking noise whenever I'm pedaling. Because of this, I normally keep it in gear 6 or 7, and it doesn't make any noise at all. Just only in the initial start-up of pedaling, and then it's fine, but every time I switch it back over to any lower gear or high gear settings, it sounds like it's gonna pop and it makes it loud popping cranking noise every time I pedal.

What do I do?
What's the issue?
How can I fix this?

[Painkiller]

More than likely it needs the derailluer hanger alignment checked, then the gears need setup and tuned properly. Is this an online purchased bicycle that was setup by you? or did you buy it fron a local bike shop?

[LoneRyder]

Hi thanks for the response. This was an online purchase and I never changed anything , so its pretty much been used straight out the box. Its been pretty much doing that from day 1, but I figured it would stop after some usage. I don't ride it too often so it wasn't a concerned, but now very I'm concerned that the chain and/or the derailleur may become permanently damage if I don't fix it soon. I can check out some how to videos, but if you have any other thoughts please let me know.

(11-17-2025, 02:52 PM)Painkiller Wrote:  More than likely it needs the derailluer hanger alignment checked, then the gears need setup and tuned properly. Is this an online purchased bicycle that was setup by you? or did you buy it fron a local bike shop?

[Painkiller]

(11-18-2025, 06:36 PM)LoneRyder Wrote:  Hi thanks for the response. This was an online purchase and I never changed anything , so its pretty much been used straight out the box. Its been pretty much doing that from day 1, but I figured it would stop after some usage. I don't ride it too often so it wasn't a concerned, but now very I'm concerned that the chain and/or the derailleur may become permanently damage if I don't fix it soon. I can check out some how to videos, but if you have any other thoughts please let me know.

(11-17-2025, 02:52 PM)Painkiller Wrote:  More than likely it needs the derailluer hanger alignment checked, then the gears need setup and tuned properly. Is this an online purchased bicycle that was setup by you? or did you buy it fron a local bike shop?

yes it needs fixed properly, it takes a special tool to check and align the rear derailluer hanger. they can be had for under $100 depending on brand, you need a workstand duty rated for the weight of the bicycles you are working on, those can be had used in the $200 to $600 range depending on brand, The wheel needs to be true and axle tight to get proper alignment readings. It should be within +/-2mm on all 4 axis points.
Do you have a problem taking it to a bike shop? It is great to be your own bike shop and learn how but to do it right you still need bike shop job specific tools in some cases and this is one of those cases. worth at least getting an estimate. 100% your problem is it was never set up right from the get go!

[LoneRyder]

Yes, TBH, it might be some time before I do take it to a bike repair shop for them to do that, but I will definitely look into it as a secondary option. I know it'll be the right investment for me to do so, professionally, but for now, I'm gonna see if I can tweak it myself. Depending on the tools that I need and use, I could fix it on my own. If not, then I'll take it to a professional bike shop. They will earn their money's worth. I'm more of a DIY type of guy. Yes, it do believe that the online bike company that I ordered from, put it together for the general public. So it would make sense that some things wouldn't be as perfectly aligned for the experienced rider. 

(11-18-2025, 07:36 PM)Painkiller Wrote:  

(11-18-2025, 06:36 PM)LoneRyder Wrote:  Hi thanks for the response. This was an online purchase and I never changed anything , so its pretty much been used straight out the box. Its been pretty much doing that from day 1, but I figured it would stop after some usage. I don't ride it too often so it wasn't a concerned, but now very I'm concerned that the chain and/or the derailleur may become permanently damage if I don't fix it soon. I can check out some how to videos, but if you have any other thoughts please let me know.

(11-17-2025, 02:52 PM)Painkiller Wrote:  More than likely it needs the derailluer hanger alignment checked, then the gears need setup and tuned properly. Is this an online purchased bicycle that was setup by you? or did you buy it fron a local bike shop?

yes it needs fixed properly, it takes a special tool to check and align the rear derailluer hanger. they can be had for under $100 depending on brand, you need a workstand duty rated for the weight of the bicycles you are working on, those can be had used in the $200 to $600 range depending on brand, The wheel needs to be true and axle tight to get proper alignment readings. It should be within +/-2mm on all 4 axis points.
Do you have a problem taking it to a bike shop? It is great to be your own bike shop and learn how but to do it right you still need bike shop job specific tools in some cases and this is one of those cases. worth at least getting an estimate. 100% your problem is it was never set up right from the get go!

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

Try following my instruction from this post. Although, I'm not sure based on the weight of your ebike that you'll be able to flip it upside down.

https://forums.bikeride.com/thread-9322.html

[meamoantonio]

yeah it really looks like it needs a derailleur indexing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkZxPIZ1ngY

this is one of the best videos I've seen to explain how to do that, I hope this helps

[Flowrider]

Good advice here without even seeing it. Hope they've helped you.

The best alternative, of course, is to take it to a bike shop in your area. If it still happens, they'll sort it out until you've no issues.

Good luck and hope it works out