Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Can't locate clicking sound

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Can't locate clicking sound

Old 07-03-20, 04:02 AM
  #1  
dkbiker
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Can't locate clicking sound

Hi

I'm getting a bit desperate here, so I've made a little video with a clicking sound, that I can't locate. Any ideas?

Google Drive link: drive.google.com/file/d/1TPAubK-JEl9d4_TaLwr2lhrJOQr2tV5C/view?usp=sharing

It happens on all rides in all weather conditions. It happens only when pedaling, both when pedaling fast and slow. It sounds like it's coming from the crank area. The click isn't systematic with a consequent rhythm.

Bike:
CANYON Roadlite AL SL 8.0 2019
Ultegra gear set

KM: 1.800

I've tried.
  • Changing pedals
  • Removing nearly all bolts and added grease
  • Changed the chain
  • Added grease to the spokes at the rims
  • Added grease to the chainring bolts
  • Added grease to the front and rear dropout
  • Added grease to the crank arm, where it meets plastic.
  • Tightened all bolts, especially near front derailleur
Please let me know if you need further information

Thanks in advance.
dkbiker is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 04:38 AM
  #2  
Berg417448
Troublemaker
 
Berg417448's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 461

Bikes: Yes. The more the better.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times in 23 Posts
Several times I have had clicking that I thought was coming from the crank/pedal area of one of my bikes and it turned out to be saddle/seatpost noise.
Berg417448 is offline  
Likes For Berg417448:
Old 07-03-20, 04:57 AM
  #3  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,613

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Originally Posted by dkbiker
Hi

I'm getting a bit desperate here, so I've made a little video with a clicking sound, that I can't locate. Any ideas?

Google Drive link: drive.google.com/file/d/1TPAubK-JEl9d4_TaLwr2lhrJOQr2tV5C/view?usp=sharing

It happens on all rides in all weather conditions. It happens only when pedaling, both when pedaling fast and slow. It sounds like it's coming from the crank area. The click isn't systematic with a consequent rhythm.

Bike:
CANYON Roadlite AL SL 8.0 2019
Ultegra gear set

KM: 1.800

I've tried.
  • Changing pedals
  • Removing nearly all bolts and added grease
  • Changed the chain
  • Added grease to the spokes at the rims
  • Added grease to the chainring bolts
  • Added grease to the front and rear dropout
  • Added grease to the crank arm, where it meets plastic.
  • Tightened all bolts, especially near front derailleur
Please let me know if you need further information

Thanks in advance.
Do you have a trainer (wheel-off ideally).. this would tell if you if it's in a wheel/quickrelease.
Try one legged pedaling (the other foot completely off the pedal) to see if it's one side only vs the other, and then could be pedal related.
Are you using clipless pedals and have you greased the pedals and the cleats?
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 05:03 AM
  #4  
Snow Dog
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Midstate Illinois
Posts: 15

Bikes: 1999 Specialized Crossroads

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by dkbiker
Hi

I'm getting a bit desperate here, so I've made a little video with a clicking sound, that I can't locate. Any ideas?

Google Drive link: drive.google.com/file/d/1TPAubK-JEl9d4_TaLwr2lhrJOQr2tV5C/view?usp=sharing

It happens on all rides in all weather conditions. It happens only when pedaling, both when pedaling fast and slow. It sounds like it's coming from the crank area. The click isn't systematic with a consequent rhythm.

Bike:
CANYON Roadlite AL SL 8.0 2019
Ultegra gear set

KM: 1.800

I've tried.
  • Changing pedals
  • Removing nearly all bolts and added grease
  • Changed the chain
  • Added grease to the spokes at the rims
  • Added grease to the chainring bolts
  • Added grease to the front and rear dropout
  • Added grease to the crank arm, where it meets plastic.
  • Tightened all bolts, especially near front derailleur
Please let me know if you need further information

Thanks in advance.
I can't view your video but does your bike have a kickstand? If so, check to see if the crank arm is slapping the kickstand. It might be hanging too low in the folded position.
Snow Dog is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 05:20 AM
  #5  
fishboat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,890

Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 751 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 799 Times in 467 Posts
Change out your bottom bracket..I'd guess your sound will disappear. Mine did.
fishboat is offline  
Likes For fishboat:
Old 07-03-20, 06:26 AM
  #6  
Moe Zhoost
Half way there
 
Moe Zhoost's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,955

Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times in 526 Posts
Sounds to me like either a stem/bar or saddle/post issue.
Moe Zhoost is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 06:26 AM
  #7  
Maelochs
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,453

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7628 Post(s)
Liked 3,453 Times in 1,823 Posts
Originally Posted by Berg417448
Several times I have had clicking that I thought was coming from the crank/pedal area of one of my bikes and it turned out to be saddle/seatpost noise.
i spent two years agonizing over a clicking on a bike I built ... I couldn't enjoy riding it because I couldn't find the noise. Changed the pedals, changed the rear derailleur, chain, checked the wheels, pulled the BB out twice, tightened every bolts on the bike, headset, stem, seatpost .... .... It Sounded like it was coming from the bottom bracket, and it Seemed to click in sync with my pedaling.

Turns out it was a squeaky saddle---the mount where the rails pass through the clamp apparently squeaks a little. I don't know how to stop it .... but it is a lot less frequent a a lot less loud, and since I know what it is, it hardly bothers me.
Maelochs is offline  
Likes For Maelochs:
Old 07-03-20, 07:34 AM
  #8  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,613

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Or with summer here.. ice cubes clinking in your water bottle.
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 07:39 AM
  #9  
ofajen
Cheerfully low end
 
ofajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,965
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 642 Post(s)
Liked 1,040 Times in 663 Posts
Yeah, make to sure to check saddle, seatpost and BB. I’ve had all those make weird noises. Once I had a click only on high torque pedaling. Turned out it was the joint of the drive side crank arm to the spider and is the reason I only use one piece crank arms now.

Good luck’

Otto
ofajen is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 07:51 AM
  #10  
Juan Foote
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
 
Juan Foote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jawja
Posts: 4,299

Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 960 Times in 686 Posts
You may have said it and I didn't note, but try a bit of oil at each spoke intersection. I had this issue with a set of wheels that ended up needing sent back to the factory.

Lol, I know you bike doesn't have them, but my fenders played a mind**** on me for quite a while with gravel bouncing off.
Juan Foote is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 08:08 AM
  #11  
Barry2 
LR÷P=HR
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,137

Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 Cervelo R3 & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 848 Post(s)
Liked 1,161 Times in 671 Posts
Questions

Try wearing you tennies, no cleats required. Hey it’s a cheap test.
Does it click if your not in the saddle?
Does it click if you pedal backwards?
Does it click in all gears? Both rings?
Does it click if stationary, brakes applied, pressure on pedals?

Barry
Barry2 is online now  
Old 07-03-20, 08:12 AM
  #12  
Barry2 
LR÷P=HR
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,137

Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 Cervelo R3 & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 848 Post(s)
Liked 1,161 Times in 671 Posts
BTW - if the click is chain related, bike in a straight line, constant speed, and count time between clicks.
Although the clicks won’t relate to crank position, they will come at regular intervals.

Barry
Barry2 is online now  
Old 07-03-20, 08:37 AM
  #13  
Aladin
Senior Member
 
Aladin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Siberia West .. aka Central Wisconsin... USA
Posts: 309

Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Appalachian, 1998 Litespeed BlueRidge.. 1977? Schwinn LeTour 12.2 'Rain Daze'

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by Barry2
BTW - if the click is chain related, bike in a straight line, constant speed, and count time between clicks.
Although the clicks won’t relate to crank position, they will come at regular intervals.

Barry

THIS above ... or sticking link.. & possible rear de binding and making chain rub onto next cog. I'll vote chain/rear de related. One link starting to spread... ?

Had one other day.. retired 77 yr old that thinks bike maintenance is for naught. Light clicking.... chain slight rub onto next cog... he fails to bring chain over for regular cleans and length inspects. We live in sand country BTW............ you know that drill.
Aladin is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 12:42 PM
  #14  
ofajen
Cheerfully low end
 
ofajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,965
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 642 Post(s)
Liked 1,040 Times in 663 Posts
Also, mud and gunk and other debris clogging up the plates next to derailleur pulleys ( or on the pulleys) can make little noises whenever you pull chain and it may be periodic but at the pulley rate, not the crank rate.

Otto
ofajen is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 01:50 PM
  #15  
tyrion
Senior Member
 
tyrion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077

Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times in 972 Posts
Originally Posted by Berg417448
Several times I have had clicking that I thought was coming from the crank/pedal area of one of my bikes and it turned out to be saddle/seatpost noise.
+1 first step for me would be to try to duplicate the click standing out of the saddle.
tyrion is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 01:55 PM
  #16  
hrdknox1
Junior Member
 
hrdknox1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 184
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Liked 53 Times in 40 Posts
Since the sound is not constant, I would think it is coming from the bottom bracket bearings. Change your bottom bracket, as someone else mentioned.
hrdknox1 is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 02:27 PM
  #17  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,613

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Originally Posted by hrdknox1
Since the sound is not constant, I would think it is coming from the bottom bracket bearings. Change your bottom bracket, as someone else mentioned.
or just change the bearings?
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 07-03-20, 03:19 PM
  #18  
hrdknox1
Junior Member
 
hrdknox1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 184
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Liked 53 Times in 40 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
or just change the bearings?
You can just change the bearings if they are separate from the bottom bracket.
hrdknox1 is offline  
Old 07-05-20, 01:33 PM
  #19  
ofajen
Cheerfully low end
 
ofajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,965
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 642 Post(s)
Liked 1,040 Times in 663 Posts
Ok today I had another noise source that I don’t think I’ve had before: the large chainring on my road bike (first gen Dura-Ace) has a small metal post that was rubbing against the drive side crank arm at the bottom of the drive side pedal stroke only while standing on hills.

Made a bit of a scraping metal on metal sound just at the bottom part of the pedal stroke when the forces and bending are the highest. I could also get a bit of a creak by pushing inward and down on the pedals by hand.

On the bike, I thought front derailleur was low and touching the chainring or frame flex was letting the inner ring nudge the frame (or maybe the BB was about to fail). Didn’t think that post could be the culprit but the noises quit the moment I put some lube on the end of the post.

Otto
ofajen is offline  
Old 07-05-20, 05:40 PM
  #20  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,280

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4253 Post(s)
Liked 3,866 Times in 2,579 Posts
Is it cranks hitting a cable end? That is a common one. As are loose quick releases
veganbikes is offline  
Old 07-05-20, 06:42 PM
  #21  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,613

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Originally Posted by veganbikes
Is it cranks hitting a cable end? That is a common one. As are loose quick releases
Or tube valve stems rattling in an alloy rim hole.
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 07-05-20, 07:14 PM
  #22  
biker128pedal
Senior Member
 
biker128pedal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Eastern VA
Posts: 1,703

Bikes: 2022 Fuel EX 8, 2021 Domane SL6, Black Beta (Nashbar frame), 2004 Trek 1000C for the trainer

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 260 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times in 262 Posts
Check the chain. May be worn out. I had recently had an annoying click. I thought it was the seat or seat tube. Standing it went away. My chain was way overdue. Replaced to and the cassette. Click gone ........................................for now.
biker128pedal is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 06:34 AM
  #23  
Paul Barnard
For The Fun of It
 
Paul Barnard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,844

Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2131 Post(s)
Liked 1,639 Times in 822 Posts
It has always been a saddle or a stem for me. If it happens when I am out of the saddle, it's likely the stem. If it happens with my hands off the bars, it is likely where the post connects to the rails. Both easy fixes.
Paul Barnard is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 09:58 AM
  #24  
bruce19
Senior Member
 
bruce19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,456

Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1722 Post(s)
Liked 1,272 Times in 734 Posts
Originally Posted by Berg417448
Several times I have had clicking that I thought was coming from the crank/pedal area of one of my bikes and it turned out to be saddle/seatpost noise.
I was just watching my friend Ron's show, Bicycle Talk, on Facebook and WHUS 91.7 radio. And, this was what he was talking about. He then went on to do a step by step of how to clean and lube your seat post. Ron was an LBS owner in Willimantic, CT and later an industry rep for companies like Bianchi, Fuji, Speedplay, Garneau, etc.


Facebook Post
bruce19 is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 10:54 AM
  #25  
_ForceD_
Sr Member on Sr bikes
 
_ForceD_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Rhode Island (sometimes in SE Florida)
Posts: 2,306

Bikes: Several...from old junk to new all-carbon.

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1012 Post(s)
Liked 759 Times in 408 Posts
Years ago I had a friend something like this happened to. After several trips to his LBS...where it wouldn't happen on the workstand...and replacement of a few components, it was discovered that the 'clicking' was caused by the heel of his shoe hitting the excess front derailleur cable that was bent outward and it was clicking back against the seat tube.

Dan
_ForceD_ is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.