Bicycle Mechanics - Pedal Ticking

The pedals in question are Shimano M515.

Tonight during my ride I noticed the right pedal making a clicking sound when I reached the top of my pedal stroke (3 o'clock).

The only thing I did prior to my ride was to loosen the release tension by maybe a quarter turn to make room for my new cleats. I just bought a pair of SIDI Genius 3 Megas and had the SPD cleat adapter installed and it was really hard to get unclipped.

So what does this clipping about? Is this a job for the shop?

I don't think it's a job for the shop. Try lubing the pedal/cleat first. To test it, spray some Pam on the pedal and cleat. If you don't have Pam, WD-40 will do, or even rubbing paraffin all over the contact surfaces.

If it's happening at the 3 o'clock position then check to make sure the heel of your shoe isn't ticking against the crank arm.

Originally posted by Grendel
If it's happening at the 3 o'clock position then check to make sure the heel of your shoe isn't ticking against the crank arm.

I actually checked that first, hoping it would be that easy. Alas, the sound is definitely coming from the pedal.

How old are the pedals?
Some times the cleats can wear out which can give you a clicking noise.

Another thing to check would be your shoes. On the soles where the cleats screw on look at the center piece under the cleat. From time to time it will break causing the plastic to make a snapping sound (click).

If you have another set of shoes with newer cleats try them or borrow a friends pair and see if you still hear the noise.

:beer:

Originally posted by dirtbikedude
How old are the pedals?

The pedals are two weeks old and have about fifty miles on them. The cleats and shoes are brand new.

I'm going to try riding with my old shoes to see if the clicking goes away. If not, I'll be 100% sure it's the pedal. I'm already 99.9% there.

I posted this on your other questions.. but try taking the pedals off.. greasing the threads.. and screwing them back in.. i had the same problem with my left pedal.. they kept clicking around the 10 o'clock position.... after I greased them... good as new

Jeff

Originally posted by SipperPhoto
I posted this on your other questions.. but try taking the pedals off.. greasing the threads.. and screwing them back in.. i had the same problem with my left pedal.. they kept clicking around the 10 o'clock position.... after I greased them... good as new

Jeff

Would brand new (well, two weeks old) pedals really need to be greased already? I guess they might... :)

I once had a ticking sound that was caused by the sole rubber of the shoe being cut just a little to big around the back of the cleat support platform inside the sole.

It was just enough so that when I would pull up, the rubber would "pop" over the edge of the support. When it pushed back in on the downstroke it was silent.

I'm not suggesting this is the problem, only that these things can be maddeningly hard to track down and it isn't always the pedal.

Yes, the threads of the pedal should always be greased before installing into the crank. And the clip mechanism of the pedal itself should be lubed. (I just use the same ProLink I use on my chain.)

RichC

Originally posted by mightypudge
Would brand new (well, two weeks old) pedals really need to be greased already? I guess they might... :)

I throw a little grease on the threads of almost any component going on my bike.. for one thing it allows usually easier removal later... also, if the threads are dry, it can create a tick or creak sometimes... I didn;t think soeither.. but I had pedals about a year.. about 900 miles worth of use... and that tick jsut drove me nuts... and besides... it coudln;t hurt... just drop a dab of grease across the threads.. screw it in... and wipe off any excess that squeezes out

Jeff

lemme know what you find out