Cracking noises from pedals or BB

PrettyBoyTim
PrettyBoyTim Posts: 163
edited September 2007 in Workshop
The last few times I've been out on my bike, I've noticed some sharp 'crack' noises coming from (I think) my pedals when I put a bit of extra pressure on them. A very quick visual inspection didn't show anything out of the ordinary, but it is a bit concerning. To me it sounds like it's coming from the pedals, but I guess it could be anything in that general area.

Anybody have any idea what it might be? The bike is only a couple of months old.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    when seated or standing?

    TBH could be anything from seat post to pedal and every thing in between. including chainring bolts.

    work your way through cleaning/lubing and tightening as required.

    there is a good artical on drivetrain noise on parktools, linky below.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • PrettyBoyTim
    PrettyBoyTim Posts: 163
    I looked into this a little more this evening. I'm fairly sure it's not the pedals. If I hold by brakes on and then put my weight on one of the pedals, it will give a click, but then not repeat the click until I've done the same on the other side. This suggests to me that there's some kind of give in the bottom bracket, but I'm not really sure what to do about it. I've never taken a bottom bracket apart, and I'm not entirely sure I've got the requisite tools.

    Normally I would take it to the LBS in the morning and then get the tube in, but unfortunately that's not really an option with the tube strike on :(

    Any ideas?
  • ASC1951
    ASC1951 Posts: 992
    If it's so new it won't be a worn BB, which has similar symptoms.

    As suggested, try greasing and tightening first. Common sources for this noise are cranks slightly loose on the tapers; ditto seatpost and saddle clamp.

    Mine has started doing exactly the same and by a process of elimination I'm fairly sure the cranks need a smear of grease and re-tightening.
  • Steveorow
    Steveorow Posts: 162
    Sounds slimilar to what I had a couple of weeks ago . Re greased the crank but no effect . Had to tighten the crank really ; really tight . Mountain gorilla stuff with a normal 4 inch allen key . Problem solved .
  • Tuscanybill
    Tuscanybill Posts: 2
    Hi Tim, All good advice so far, one thing to add I had a noise that you discribe (just the way you discribe pushing on the pedals) what I found in my case was it was in the headset. I found that during assembly (local shop (good shop too just a mistake)) the crown race was never seated the whole way, after reseating and new bearings the niose is gone. I would be sure that this could come from a headset in need of adjustment also. I did a lot of things before I found it, I would have sworn it was in the B&B (I even replaced it :cry: ).

    Hope you find your noise, they can drive you nuts. All the best - Bill

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