Clicking

taylorlej

Hi everyone,
i have recently bought a 2nd hand road bike - trek 1500, i have noticed that when i am pedalling there is often a clicking noise which sounds like it is coming from the front of the bike, it doesnt happen when i free wheel. it is load enough to hear clearly amongst traffic - i was wondering if anyone could suggest what it might be. i have been told it probably isnt the bearing as these normally re-verbarate throughout the frame, which it doesnt - its only a noise.

many thanks

topdude

Try these simple fixes,
Front / rear QR skewers not tight enough
Headset not tight enough
Pedals not tight enough, remove grease threads refit
Cranks are not tight enough, remove grease refit
Seat post needs removing / cleaning / greasing
Pedals are worn, try another pair to prove
Shoelaces hitting front mech :?:
That should keep you busy this weekend

whyamihere

Some questions:
1. Does the clicking get quicker the faster you pedal/travel? Basically, is the frequency related to the chain speed or not?
2. Does the sound happen when you're not on the bike, if you spin the cranks in a workstand for example?
3. Does it still click when you backpedal?
4. When you stand up and pedal, does it get better/worse/go altogether?

taylorlej

hi guys,
thanks for the replies, sorry i havent been back to you quicker, i was away for the weekend.

um, the frequency is related to chain speed - there doesnt seem to be any set period about it but the number of clicks did rise when i pedaled faster

it does only hapen when im on it, i dont have a stand but i put it upside down and it didnt click when i turned the pedals

it doesnt happen when i back pedal and when i stand up its hard to tell but i think it stays about the same, perhaps a little worse.

i have checked fixings and bolts and all were tight, i havent managed to start taking things off yet but will try to next weekend.

thanks again for the replies, im going away again tomorrow so might not be able to reply straight away

appreciate the help
Laurence

whyamihere

Right, it sounds like it's a problem caused by the load on the bearings in the pedals or bottom bracket, or the interface between cranks and bb or pedals and BB. The reason for this impression is that it doesn't happen when you have the bike upside down, when the pedals and cranks are unloaded, and it's related to cadence.
I'd suggest checking the bearings on the pedals and the bottom bracket. Spin the pedals and cranks around their axles (take the chain off the chainrings for the cranks) and feel for any roughness or stiffness as they spin. Also give everything a wiggle, see if you can detect any movement in the bearings. It could be something as simple as the pedal bearings needing some grease, or something as complicated as a dead BB.
If you can identify where the click is coming from by this, post back and we'll probably be able to tell you how to sort it. Otherwise, let us know if you still can't work it out and I'll have a think about what else it could be.

taylorlej

hi,
i recently changed the pedals from platforms to spds that i bought of ebay (new), as i put them on i did put some grease on the threads, i dont know how to grease the bearings but that would make sense.

wheni had it upside down i didnt notice any roughness and when im pedalling, there isnt any roughness i can feel but ill have another look

if you could tell me how to grease the bearings ill give it a go and get back to you

thanks again

whyamihere

If the bearings feel ok, then you probably don't need to grease the bearings, especially if they're new.

It is also possible that the click is actually coming from somewhere else. The whole bike is below your ears, and they can often get tricked into thinking that a click is coming from one place when it's actually from somewhere else. Try very lightly greasing the bars, stem and seatpost where they connect to each other. Again, they're under pressure and moving when you pedal, so it could be this.

taylorlej

ok, thanks, i may have to do it when i get back as im goin early tomorrow, ill let you know how i get on, it wont be for a couple of days

thanks for the advice - really appreciate it
Laurence

taylorlej

hi,
i'm back!
i made sure everything was tight and also greased the seat post and headset - took it out today and it was doing it less but was still clicking. i lifted up the back wheel and ran it forwards and it made a slight clicking noise, the front also made a bit of a loose sound - dunno if it could be either of these?

is there anything else you can think of i should do? i dunno if looking at the pedals would be worth it - how do you grease them?

thanks again
Laurence

whyamihere

In that case, I would take the bike to your local bike shop and have them service the hubs and check your spoke tensions. It sounds like the bearings need adjustment, but this can be a bit difficult to get right on your own.

taylorlej

hi,
thanks for the reply - i'll probably take it down or to a friend who's good with bikes
thanks again
Laurence

Meds1962

Check if the end of the front mech cable is positioned where it can foul on the drive side crank as you pedal ie. the crank strikes the cable on each revolution. This noise would follow your cadence exactly but stop when you freewheel.

taylorlej

hi,
thanks for the suggestion but no the cable wasnt touching, nothing is touching any of the gearing/chains/cranks etc - cant figure out what it is!

dennisn

Don't assume that the noise is coming from the crank, pedals, or bottom bracket. It
has been my experience that most noises SOUND like they are coming from that area
and some actually do. However, never overlook the rest of the bike. As an example I
had a ticking noise on my bike that sounded like pedal or bottom bracket problems, yet no amount of grease or lube would cure it. Turned out to be the seat rails clicking / squeaking in the saddle clamp. Happened every time my right leg made a revolution and
I swore it was coming from the crank area. A bit of oil and a little tightening and I was
good to go. There is no real secret to finding these noises just years of experience and
lots of times even that fails me.

Dennis Noward

feel

Hi Laurence, have read the whole thread and sounds like it could be a dry joint between crank and bottom bracket bearing. Not familiar with your bike but it could be as simple as unscrew a plastic cover and undo 2 allen bolts on the opposite side to the chain rings, then slide off crank and pull out from chain ring side. Apply grease and refit . I had a similar problem on a Lemond which are pretty similar to trek's. Remember its always the last thing you do that fixes it
good luck.

taylorlej

thanks for the advice guys, ill have another look over the whole bike when i get some time - ill def try the bottom bracket suggestion, i'll let you know!
really appreciate your help
Laurence