Weird noise - any ideas please?

Muzak

Well there is a strange noise coming from my bike. Seems to be getting progressively worse too but can't find the source.

Basically there is a creaking noise which is fairly high pitched, occurs intermittently but frequently and only when I am pedalling. To describe it as creaking may be misleading. More of a weird spindly sort of sound I suppose.

So, it seems it is somewhere in the drivetrain but the LBS has checked the BB. I fitted the pedals myself but did so with care.

Any help much appreciated :?

TCR ISP

Two of the more difficult to find creaking noises I've had in the past were:

A rear axle lock nut which, although not loose enough to leave any play in the hub, could be nipped up just a bit with a cone spanner. Noise gone.

My shoes (dubbin between the tongue and the upper sorted that one).

tenbar

I had a similar problem. It was my shoes - creaky cleats! ooooh that sounds painful

Muzak

This particular noise sounds a bit like someone was repeatedly flicking the spokes with their fingernail (although don't think the spokes are an issue) in that it is light tinny metallic sort of sound.

andy advanced

try checking your rear skewer, sometimes a slack one can move slightly in the drop out causing a noise.. worth a try

TCR ISP

Muzak wrote:

This particular noise sounds a bit like someone was repeatedly flicking the spokes with their fingernail (although don't think the spokes are an issue) in that it is light tinny metallic sort of sound.

That was the noise that I had with the slightly loose axle locknut. At first it was only when pedaling so I thought bottom bracket. Changed BB but noise was still there. Eventually the noise was present even when not pedaling.


Trouble with bikes is the noise travels through the frame, rims, anything hollow so you're never right sure where it's actually coming from. it's a case of being systematic and checking everything in sequence.

SigurSpaceboy

This sounds like the exact problem I am having.

I left town for a month or so right after I bought my bike (a 1970's Windsor Carrera), which I got from a mechanic and everything was in tip top shape. It has a very tall frame because I'm a tall guy, but the guy subletting my apartment is a good 5-6" shorter than me. Apparently while I was gone, he took my bike out for a few spins, even though I said it was too tall for him and he would crash. Of course, he did crash, a few times, nothing serious though. I found my bike with a few nicks in the paint, a broken U-lock and lock holder, and the handlebar had gotten loose. I tightened that up and wasn't too mad. But after I started riding it, I heard that metallic clicking noise coming from the center of the bike, right between the pedals. It only shows up when I put a lot of pressure on them, like if I start off in a high gear, or if I'm going uphill. Otherwise, it's not there if I'm coasting, or even just pedaling at an even easy speed. Once the pressure starts, the clicking starts, and it doesn't sound good. Kind of like 2 pieces of metal creaking against each other and clicking. Otherwise the bike rides fine and I can't see anything bent or loose. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

andrewgturnbull

SigurSpaceboy wrote:

This sounds like the exact problem I am having.

I left town for a month or so right after I bought my bike (a 1970's Windsor Carrera), which I got from a mechanic and everything was in tip top shape. It has a very tall frame because I'm a tall guy, but the guy subletting my apartment is a good 5-6" shorter than me. Apparently while I was gone, he took my bike out for a few spins, even though I said it was too tall for him and he would crash. Of course, he did crash, a few times, nothing serious though. I found my bike with a few nicks in the paint, a broken U-lock and lock holder, and the handlebar had gotten loose. I tightened that up and wasn't too mad. But after I started riding it, I heard that metallic clicking noise coming from the center of the bike, right between the pedals. It only shows up when I put a lot of pressure on them, like if I start off in a high gear, or if I'm going uphill. Otherwise, it's not there if I'm coasting, or even just pedaling at an even easy speed. Once the pressure starts, the clicking starts, and it doesn't sound good. Kind of like 2 pieces of metal creaking against each other and clicking. Otherwise the bike rides fine and I can't see anything bent or loose. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Slow down and breathe!