Annoying “click”?

[AlanW]

For the last couple of weeks on every down stroke of the left hand crank when I am stood up there is a creaking noise? The noise was seemingly coming from the bottom bracket area and it made sense that it could be the bottom bracket bearing creaking when under load.

So I replaced the bottom bracket with a spare one and confident that I had cured the problem, I went out on a test ride. I hadn’t even got out of the close and it was back!

So over the previous week in a attempt to cure it, I have:-

Tried different pedals
Different shoes
Another bottom bracket
Removed and greased all the chain ring bolts
Greased both wheel Q/Rs
Checked cones and greased on both wheels
Tried another set of wheels
Removed and greased the headset, stem and handlebars
Removed and greased the seat post and saddle
Different chain
Removed and greased the ‘band on’ front mech bracket.
Removed bottom bracket and applied PTFE tape instead of grease
Checked frame with magnifying glass for possible cracks around bottom bracket area
Removed and lubricated jockey wheels.
Removed rear mech hanger and greased underneath it.

All to no avail, as it was still doing it....

I sat on the floor in the garage staring at my bike in utter disbelief, thinking that it must be a flex problem as it only does when standing up? As I went to stand up I put my hand on the top of the rear mudguard and it gave out a tiny creak.

So I went along the edge of the rear mudguard giving it a little twist and a wobble, as I got to the second stay bracket the noise got worse. So I undid the two M5 mounting screws and realigned the mudguard and retightened the screws. Tried again and no creaks or clicks, went out on a test ride, hey presto.....gone!

All I can think is that the noise was being transmitting along the length of the mudguard to the only place that it is securely bolted to the frame, which is adjacent to the bottom bracket, then the noise is amplified by the tubes of the frame?

Oh happy days.

[IanT]

Good to hear you've fixed it Alan, I imagine it was driving you quietly mad.

I think if I'd have gone to those lengths and not resolved it I would have invested in some ear plugs.

Feel free to come and carry out similar comprehensive checks on my bike whenever you have a moment...

[John Sanderson]

On the positive side, at least you've given your bike a comprehensive (if unnecessary) overhaul!

[AlanW]

Good to hear you've fixed it Alan, I imagine it was driving you quietly mad.

I think if I'd have gone to those lengths and not resolved it I would have invested in some ear plugs

I dont think that I have ever been so frustrated to be honest, which was probably why I ended up sitting on the garage floor at a complete loss as to what to check/replace/grease next!!

Feel free to come and carry out similar comprehensive checks on my bike whenever you have a moment...

You have no chance, sorry!

[Andy Terry]

Tried different pedals
Different shoes
Another bottom bracket
Removed and greased all the chain ring bolts
Greased both wheel Q/Rs
Checked cones and greased on both wheels
Tried another set of wheels
Removed and greased the headset, stem and handlebars
Removed and greased the seat post and saddle
Different chain
Removed and greased the ‘band on’ front mech bracket.
Removed bottom bracket and applied PTFE tape instead of grease
Checked frame with magnifying glass for possible cracks around bottom bracket area
Removed and lubricated jockey wheels.
Removed rear mech hanger and greased underneath it.

I was just about to say ... could be a loose bottle cage bolt

Anyway ... there's always next time

[AlanW]

Tried different pedals
Different shoes
Another bottom bracket
Removed and greased all the chain ring bolts
Greased both wheel Q/Rs
Checked cones and greased on both wheels
Tried another set of wheels
Removed and greased the headset, stem and handlebars
Removed and greased the seat post and saddle
Different chain
Removed and greased the ‘band on’ front mech bracket.
Removed bottom bracket and applied PTFE tape instead of grease
Checked frame with magnifying glass for possible cracks around bottom bracket area
Removed and lubricated jockey wheels.
Removed rear mech hanger and greased underneath it.

I was just about to say ... could be a loose bottle cage bolt

Anyway ... there's always next time

Oh yes, removed both the bottle cages and also the frame mounted pump

[Philmondo]

I've felt like chucking my bike in a skip before when suffering from similar afflictions. I admire your tenacity - the sheer joy of eradicating such a noise almost makes the whole thing worthwhile! Last time I had a similar click it was cured by a slight tightening of the pedal.

[dweben]

I'm having similar fun issues with my commuter mtb!

Have a creaking noise only when pedalling. Have changed...
Crank
Bottom bracket
Pedals (one at a time)
Chain
Cassette
Rear wheel (blew the rim couple weeks ago!)
Rear brake caliper (madness set in)

Still the blipping things persist to creak. I've been around the frame, looking a bit sheepish, cupping the bottom bracket area (ooer) and all over the place, no crack that I can see or feel.

Headset bearings are out next... after that there isn't much bike left to change!!! I sneakily think the bottom bracket I put in brand new is in fact dodgy so that's out again soon.

The bike is swimming in grease now...

[Ed Moss]

Tried it with a different set of wheels and QR's?

Last time I had one, it was the rear QR.

[dweben]

Yup as I said has a different rear wheel... I did also swap the skewers out while changing the wheel and caliper. Doh!

[John Sanderson]

I had a creak once that really only came out when I was climbing out of the saddle. Turned out it was the sound of the gear cables rubbing against the headtube as I rocked the bike underneath me slightly/turned the handlebars slightly when I was out of the saddle!!!

[dweben]

Finally got the little bleeder... turns out the brand new left pedal was faulty... fun eh! Been chasing my tail!

[bobg]

I think one lesson to be learnt from this thread is dont always believe your ears. A few months ago i had a loud rattle going down hills, and was convinced that it was from the front wheel or the head set. I was also convinced that something was about to break and several times stopped to check but was never able to replicate the noise. I then mentioned this to Paul at Cult and he knew straight away what it was without even seeing the bike. I could not have been any further away with my diagnosis, the noise was coming from the cassette, travelling up the tubes and coming out at the head. New cassette and bingo, no more noise