Bicycle Mechanics - clicking noise near cranks

I just changed the cranks on my 80's Ciocc from Campagnolo Super Record to C-record. My bottom bracket is a Campy Centaur. After putting the new C-record cranks on, I noticed a clicking sound coming from the crank area. There is no rhythm to the clicking and it only occurs during hard pedaling, but not during every rotation. Its quite sporadic. The bottom bracket is in there good and tight.

I'm most worried that the noise is the sound of a crack somewhere in the frame. I gave it a casual look, but the paint is so dark, it seems imposible to find a crack. Its steel, Columbus SL. and I weigh about 200lbs give or take a pound.

Also, there was no clicking before I put on the new crankset, and the new one uses the Campy self extracting crank bolts.

So anyhow, any ideas about what I should do to figure this out?

Noises can be difficult to diagnose...lots of times they're not coming from the place they seem like they're coming from. Might have a look on http://sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html

My personal thoughts/experiences:
- Happens only when pedaling? Check the pedals (esp. since you mention the noise is new)
- Check the crankarm bolts but also the chainring bolts.
- Does it happen when you're out of the saddle? If it only occurs when in the saddle, check the seatpost clamp bolts.
- Check the front derailleur cable end...could be hitting the crankarm (might only hit it when the derailleur is in one position or the other).

There is no rhythm to the clicking and it only occurs during hard pedaling, but not during every rotation. Its quite sporadic.

I had something similar on a tour last June. A tour bike mechanic wanted to change out the bottom bracket, but I balked at the price. I waited and then was told by another mechanic to just remove my pedals, grease the threads and install them again. He said he was almost certain that I just hadn't gotten them tight enough. Sure enough, it worked for me. Try it, it could be an easy fix to your problem.

Thanks guys. I'll take your advice and re-install the pedals. Theyre crank bros pedals and its hard to get them tight because you can only install them through the back with an allen wrench. Also, the crank-bolts are allen wrench and also hard to get tight with a little allen wrench.

Thanks guys. I'll take your advice and re-install the pedals. Theyre crank bros pedals and its hard to get them tight because you can only install them through the back with an allen wrench. Also, the crank-bolts are allen wrench and also hard to get tight with a little allen wrench.

dontcha hate that design? i have set of ritchey pedals that i just love but you have to tighten/loosen then with an allen wrench. what a stupid pain in the ass design :eek: .

ed rader

Thanks guys. I'll take your advice and re-install the pedals. Theyre crank bros pedals and its hard to get them tight because you can only install them through the back with an allen wrench. Also, the crank-bolts are allen wrench and also hard to get tight with a little allen wrench.

Yep, I had the exact same problem with Crank Bros pedals. I ended up getting a socket-type hex end and used that with my socket wrench for working with them.

Remove the pedals, clean the threads, put a light layer of grease on, then get 'em in there good.

Well, did it work?

I've been having the same problem.

+1 for chainring bolts, tighten them up.