Bicycle Mechanics - strange sound when pedaling

The bike in question is a 2004 Diamondback Outlook. If the spec section is worth anyhting, here is the link to the bike in question: http://www.diamondback.com/items.asp?deptid=9&itemid=94&va=0

I have been hearing this clunk come from somehwere under me when I'm riding lately. I read up on it a bit in the forums, but my cranks seem tight, and if I stop pedaling for a second then start up again, the noise will temporarily go away. The sounds do not happen at speeds under 10mph however. The sounds are most noticed when I'm pushing about 14-16mph.

As far as riding habits, I am a rather heavy rider though (235lbs...i guess they call guys like me clydesdales), and will admit I often use a higher gear than I should and spin at a far faster rate than I probably should.

if you use a higher gear than u should, how can u be spinning far faster than u should? if u're in a higher gear than u should, that means u're spinning slow. if you're spinning far faster than u should, that means u're in a lower gear than u ought to be.

anyway, what kinda clunk is this? does it repeat itself? is it rhythmical, or not rhythmical?

my bad, i thought larger gear-higher...my mistake.

it's a very rhythmic clunk, and happens when either crankarm is on it's downstroke. It's fiarly loud too...almost a clicking kinda clunk.

have your bike shop check the make sure the bottom bracket is greased and screwed in tightly, that the chainring bolts are tight.

The bike in question is a 2004 Diamondback Outlook. If the spec section is worth anyhting, here is the link to the bike in question: http://www.diamondback.com/items.asp?deptid=9&itemid=94&va=0

I have been hearing this clunk come from somehwere under me when I'm riding lately. I read up on it a bit in the forums, but my cranks seem tight, and if I stop pedaling for a second then start up again, the noise will temporarily go away. The sounds do not happen at speeds under 10mph however. The sounds are most noticed when I'm pushing about 14-16mph.

As far as riding habits, I am a rather heavy rider though (235lbs...i guess they call guys like me clydesdales), and will admit I often use a higher gear than I should and spin at a far faster rate than I probably should.


Did you check your pedals?

Pedals seem alright, I guess I'll take it in this week.

Is it normal for a bottom bracket to come loose? Just wondering since this only started happening after I put nearly my seven or eight hundreth mile on it.

i wouldn't think it out of the question

sounds like BB too, if it's happening at 6 and 12 o'clock of both your left and right pedal circles. if it's just on the right foot downstroke, there might be contact between the front derailleur and your pedals.

sd

i would say more like 3 and 9 o clock

Turns out Ranger was right. my chainring side pedal is making one pop when it's under downward force, and another pop when i releive the pressure as i go up...

Found it out during my 2am 14mi bike ride home...once i got downtown, it was so Quiet that i could hear my tires on the ground...and i heard every last muffled clunk.

So I guess tomorrow I'm going to get some new pedals...some decent namebrand ones this time (F pyramid :mad: )


Heh, and from there...all i have left is to fix some drivetrain noise, and switch to a threadless fork with just a bit more travel...and all will be well.

Clydesdales...?
Man, I've read that several times, no clue they were referring to me.

Incidentally, I had that same problem.
I wonder if it's some form of hoof disease?

....rides away clacking his coconuts together

i had this problem. i said screw it and bought new pedals.
nice big sturdy metals ones. they work amazing. just slippery when wet. I was out on te trails last weekend, and it was all muddy, and my foot slipped off and tore the hell out of the back of my leg.
its still big and bloody. gotta be veery carful with these pedals.

if the pedals were fine for hundreds of miles, i'd think lubing the pedals should fix it..?
sd

Well I hit the bike shop today....new pedals fixed some of it, but now I hear a more quiet ticking sound...getting the bottom bracket looked at either tonight or tomorrow night.

On the bright side, I got some lightweight alloy pedals now :)

Well I hit the bike shop today....new pedals fixed some of it, but now I hear a more quiet ticking sound...getting the bottom bracket looked at either tonight or tomorrow night.

On the bright side, I got some lightweight alloy pedals now :)

I used to sweat "sounds" a lot more than i do now. If i hear a sound I investigate it and usually find it. HOwever I always have some minor sound popping up. Lately i have had a noisey right pedal. I really am not too worried about it and I just ride on. EVerything is tight and i expect the pedal just needs regreased but i am not worried enough about it to do it. Probably put some new ones on it some day.