flyfisherbob

I took the Scapin out a couple of weeks ago, and am getting a ticking noise while riding. I put it on the stand and nothing, so it appears to happen while I am on the bike. Any thoughts? I cleaned and packed the bearings just last year, and a local shop built up the wheels. It has sheriff star hubs, built 3-cross.

Bob

Steve Whitlatch 

I pulled out my Raleigh this year and heard a noise. I spent 20 minutes trying to find its source. Finally I took my helmet off and decided that the ride was not going to happen, I was seriously concerned. It turned out that the noise was coming from my helmet. Crazy noises. LOL

Otis

Try a drop of oil on each spoke nipple around where they go through the rim. Spin the wheel, squeeze the spokes at the cross. Wipe off excess and ride.

Lazyass

Tighten the rear wheel skewer more.

Salamandrine 

Tough to diagnose remotely with so little info and without hearing. Good mech could probably fix it quickly.

While pedaling? Possibly crank/bb interface.

All the time? if it ticks at a steady interval - spoke nipples, spoke crossing, something else in the wheels.

Random ticking - probably something not greased. Stem, bars, bolts, pedals, seatpost, whatever.

jiangshi

Need more info.

Does it happen only when peddling, or when coasting too?

Ticks can be a lot of things, from QR to seat rails, and everything in between.

flyfisherbob

Thanks - some things to try. It happens when coasting as well as pedaling, so BB and pedal issues are out. I will lube the spoke nipples and check the skewers.

Drillium Dude 

I've always found that removing my pedals and re-greasing the threads cured the ticking issue so I'm guessing this could be your issue. Is it more pronounced when out of the saddle?

Is it constant, no matter the pressure/force applied?

If it occurs only when seated, it could be the saddle rail/seatpost head interface.

As someone noted earlier, a few details would go a long ways to narrowing down the area to check.

EDIT: I see it's not the pedals - I must type too slowly

DD

howellhandmade

Might as well lube the spoke crosses too. That usually makes more of a ping than a tick but clearly it's a wheel thing. I assume youve checked wheel true.

Fahrenheit531 

I was once driven nearly insane by an on-again, off-again ticking noise I couldn't locate. Turns out it was the saddle, where the rail met the plastic (Regal).

Needless to say, I couldn't recreate the noise while the bike was on the stand.

Velocivixen

I often wear Chrome brand bike shoes. The laces have metal aglets (the tips on the end of shoe laces). I heard the noise while pedaling. It was the shoelace tip hitting the frame!

FBOATSB

For me it was solved with a little bees wax on the saddle rails. You're always thinking the worst when you're listening to it while riding.

gaucho777 

I can't hear anything from here.

You can also try swapping out one wheel at a time from another bike to start process of elimination.

Drillium Dude 

Back when my hearing was much better, I used to be able to pick up the sound of the little plastic tip of my lace striking my crankarm every revolution. Drove me nuts until I figured out what it was!

DD

noobinsf 

As I was doing final adjustments on a bike recently, I had a tick that turned out to be the rear derailleur cage lower pulley bolt grazing the spokes. Small adjustment in the limit screw fixed it. Just another idea...

stardognine

Or it "could" be something even simpler, like needing to trim the front deraill-e-ator. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but that's caught me more than once. 🙄😉

redneckwes

I was riding along a few years ago trying to identify an odd noise, turned out to be my left knee....

repechage

As it happens while coasting too.... I would swap out the wheels one at a time.

You might try and judge the frequency, once per wheel revolution?

Small chance it is the valve stem moving ever so slightly at the rim, so a case to thread on a valve lock ring if not equipped and or snug up on the units in place.

Slightspeed

I mounted a new set of Panaracer Pasela 28s today, and heard a repeated tapping clicking sound from the rear. I stopped and checked out the drivetrain, chain, etc. Nothing amiss. Got home and found the protective plastic over the tire label was flapping and hitting the rear brake pad each time around. I took the front off when I mounted it because it was loose. Forgot about the rear. Took it out again, and all quiet. It sure sounded mechanical. I like the tires, going from well worn Gatorskin 25s on my '73 Super Course restoration.

gilpi

Hmm, noises in your head?