Bicycle Mechanics - Double Click when Standing

I've done a search and couldn't find a problem exactly like mine; I have a Specialized Roubaix with about 500 miles on it and just recently started clicking only when I'm standing up and pedaling. It's a double click, and sometimes three if I'm going faster, that starts on the downstroke on both sides. It does this in all gears. I've tightened everything except the bottom bracket (don't have the tool). I've ruled out the pedals and cleats because I reinstalled the flat pedals and the noise continued. According to Park Tool Repairs and Sheldon Brown, my next step should be to remove, grease and reinstall the bottom bracket. Before I buy the tool or take it to the shop, can anybody recommend some other simple checks?

I know you said you tightened everything, but did you tighten the bolts on the chainrings? If you can, remove the bolt, clean them and add a bit of threadlock.

If that doesn't fix it, I'd try tightening the BB.

I did tighten those bolts, but I'll follow you advice of removing, cleaning and adding threadlock. Thanks.

I've done a search and couldn't find a problem exactly like mine; I have a Specialized Roubaix with about 500 miles on it and just recently started clicking only when I'm standing up and pedaling. It's a double click, and sometimes three if I'm going faster, that starts on the downstroke on both sides. It does this in all gears. I've tightened everything except the bottom bracket (don't have the tool). I've ruled out the pedals and cleats because I reinstalled the flat pedals and the noise continued. According to Park Tool Repairs and Sheldon Brown, my next step should be to remove, grease and reinstall the bottom bracket. Before I buy the tool or take it to the shop, can anybody recommend some other simple checks?

Didja see my newest article, on exactly this topic?:

http://sheldonbrown.com/creaks

Sheldon "Shhhhhh" Brown

I did - especially the "Clicks, creaks and clunks that happen once or twice per pedal revolution..." and I checked almost everything you mention. I'm pretty sure its the bottom bracket at this point and I wanted to make sure it wasn't some other simple thing before going to buy the proper tool. Love your site BTW!

Just to follow up for anybody with a similar problem: It was the bottom bracket; I took it to Performance, they disassembled, greased and reassembled for $25. My drivetrain is smoother and quieter than ever. I bought a toolkit and Zinn's Art of Roadbike Maintenance while I was there.

I know you said you tightened everything, but did you tighten the bolts on the chainrings? If you can, remove the bolt, clean them and add a bit of threadlock.

If that doesn't fix it, I'd try tightening the BB.


for the love of god don't use threadlock on chainring bolts, ESPECIALLY ALUMINUM CHAINRING BOLTS!!! it makes them even harder to get off after some gorilla tightens them on there. seriously, for something that tiny and frustrating to remove (they like to spin unless you use the wrench that holds the backside, and that little wrench can't really compete with a 5mm allen and loctite), that someone might someday want to remove, USE GREASE, NOT LOCTITE!!!! even blue loctite makes them a pain in the ass to remove. and tighten them down.

Just to follow up for anybody with a similar problem: It was the bottom bracket; I took it to Performance, they disassembled, greased and reassembled for $25. My drivetrain is smoother and quieter than ever. I bought a toolkit and Zinn's Art of Roadbike Maintenance while I was there.

was this an '06 roubaix? the '05's used alex 290s, or 295s, which had some freehub body issues which would cause a thunking noise. one the affected wheels, the freehub bodies were either not torqued down enough, or the manufacturing tolerences weren't tight enough and they could never be torqued down enough, and would be permanently loose, causing them to rattled around and make a thunking noise. not many shops have caught the issue, so they may not know about it. it seems to be only with alex wheels on specialized bikes, and pretty much those two models.

was this an '06 roubaix? the '05's used alex 290s, or 295s, which had some freehub body issues which would cause a thunking noise. one the affected wheels, the freehub bodies were either not torqued down enough, or the manufacturing tolerences weren't tight enough and they could never be torqued down enough, and would be permanently loose, causing them to rattled around and make a thunking noise. not many shops have caught the issue, so they may not know about it. it seems to be only with alex wheels on specialized bikes, and pretty much those two models.

It's an '04 w/290s that I bought new from LBS, an authorized Specialized dealer, about a year ago; I haven't noticed thunking noises, but will be listening for them. Thanks for the info.

Does it happen in any gear combo, or just in lower gears? If it's gear-specific, check the chain and the innermost FD cage position, it could be that it just happens to touch the cage once or twice per revolution when you push hard enough. (Or if you push hard and unevenly like when standing on a climb.) May not be your problem, but it's easy to check.