Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - clicking coming from crank/pedal?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.




View Full Version : clicking coming from crank/pedal?


whatisit
03-21-09, 12:08 PM
i ride a singlespeed fixed gear (if that matters):

recently i started hearing/feeling a sort of click/pop coming from, as far as i can tell, my right pedal/crank. i took the pedal out - none of the threads looked messed up - wiped it off, lubed it back up (did the same with the inside of the crank) but im still having the same issue. the clicking isnt on every single rotation, but happens somewhat randomly. thanks for any help

edit - i also cleaned, lubed, and tightened the chain... so im pretty sure thats not the problem.


Syscrush
03-21-09, 12:11 PM
That sounds a lot like when my BB needed replacing.

elTwitcho
03-21-09, 12:15 PM
had a stiff link in my chain cause that exact problem once upon a time.


whatisit
03-21-09, 01:10 PM
sorry for all the questions - im just really new to the whole maintenance thing.

how did you fix the problem? did you have to replace the entire chain?

pyroguy_3
03-21-09, 01:18 PM
sorry for all the questions - im just really new to the whole maintenance thing.

how did you fix the problem? did you have to replace the entire chain?

That could be it, or it could not. I had a squeak on my mountain bike that I could not locate for the longest time. I basically tore down and rebuilt my entire drivetrain. Turned out my water bottle cage had broke and was rubbing against itself. The point being that it could be a very intense process to find that noise, and it may be someplace you're not even looking. Noises are funny that way. It's hard to pinpoint noises which are random.

On the chain issue, take your back wheel off so that the chain is loose for you to work with. Then basically just work each linkage until you find one that is not as free-moving. I've had luck in cleaning that link really well, and beating on it with a wrench. Not sure if there's a better way, but it freed it up. You may end up replacing the chain if it's totally fubar'd.

sp00ki
03-21-09, 02:31 PM
That could be it, or it could not. I had a squeak on my mountain bike that I could not locate for the longest time. I basically tore down and rebuilt my entire drivetrain. Turned out my water bottle cage had broke and was rubbing against itself. The point being that it could be a very intense process to find that noise, and it may be someplace you're not even looking. Noises are funny that way. It's hard to pinpoint noises which are random.

On the chain issue, take your back wheel off so that the chain is loose for you to work with. Then basically just work each linkage until you find one that is not as free-moving. I've had luck in cleaning that link really well, and beating on it with a wrench. Not sure if there's a better way, but it freed it up. You may end up replacing the chain if it's totally fubar'd.

^
^
i found a staple in my tire once that caused a clicking sound. tore down my entire build before i found it...

uduckhead
03-21-09, 03:15 PM
That sounds a lot like when my BB needed replacing.

I seriously replaced my BB 4 or 5 days ago after experiencing these exact symptoms, except on my left pedal/crank. I would especially feel it when I resisted the rotation of the cranks to slow down. If your BB is old this could very well be the problem, but as everyone else is saying, it's very difficult to pin point.

pyroguy_3
03-21-09, 03:47 PM
Another note, if you have absolutely no idea what it is, start with the simple stuff. The chain is the first part to look at. If it's stiff or worn out, it's a cheap fix. Check your lock ring for integrity, check that your spokes are at proper tension, check for cracks in the frame, check that your pedal bearings are in good order, check that it's not your shoelace or something hitting the frame (this also caused a random clicking sound for me), check that your seat post is installed correctly. Take the seat post out, clean it off, and put a light film of grease on before reinstalling it. I've had a seat post make a clicking sound before too. Check the rails on your saddle. Check your that your handlebars are in good condition, headset all tightened up properly? As you can see, there are a whole lot of stupid little parts that can make noise. I highly recommend buying a copy of "Zinn and the art of Mountain bike (or road bike, though I find the mtb one has all I need) Maintenance". It has extensive coverage of all maintenance, and a nice troubleshooting section. Good luck and let us know if you find what the problem was.

operator
03-21-09, 07:09 PM
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html