Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Clicking sound on my crankset

I've been riding fixed for a while now, and have never heard this before. When I get going, my first hard push creates this clicking sound, like the BB is trying to tense up. Also, when I slow, the same clicking sound comes back. It's never when I'm cruising, but only when I start and stop. I suppose I could just take it to my LBS, but I'd rather figure it out before I do that. Thoughts?

hate to ask the obvious... but chain line? tension?

Chain tension? I had the same problem for a bit. I got my BB cleaned out and installed again thinking that was it, still clicky. Then double checked the chain and realized it was extremely tight. Reinstalled it, gave it a good clean and it was all good.

i had a similar problem, probably chain tension (and leaning on the likelihood of too tight)

I still have a clicking noise, but that's probably because my nonfixed cup is plastic and cracked. and i probably overtorqued my crank arm bolts, so i probably ruined the square taper hole. whatever.

I have the same problem. All new components, so I don't think dirty parts are the issue. I'll try experimenting with chain tension, thanks for the tip.

Have you greased your pedals?

I found that was the problem for my creaking.

I had that. originally it was what I believed to be loose chainring bolts. When I tightened my chainring bolts my bottom bracket started creaking and needed replacement. After replacing that, I have no more clicking. Not sure which solution got everything sorted though

I've been riding fixed for a while now, and have never heard this before. When I get going, my first hard push creates this clicking sound, like the BB is trying to tense up. Also, when I slow, the same clicking sound comes back. It's never when I'm cruising, but only when I start and stop. I suppose I could just take it to my LBS, but I'd rather figure it out before I do that. Thoughts?


If you have a loos ball (not sealed) bottom bracket this it's probably that your balls need to be serviced (hahaha), i.e. cleaned, greased, and repacked and your BB cups adjusted properly.

That being said, you will get better answers from the guys in the Mechanic's Forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=10) that are better at fixing problems just like this one.

I had that. originally it was what I believed to be loose chainring bolts. When I tightened my chainring bolts my bottom bracket started creaking and needed replacement. After replacing that, I have no more clicking. Not sure which solution got everything sorted though

Think I'm realizing I have to do the same. Cleaned the bb (loose ball), cleaned the chain, checked for tight links, adjusted tension, tightened chaining bolts, greased pedal threads and re-installed, and I'll be damned, it's still clicking away....

Have you greased your pedals?

I found that was the problem for my creaking.

This^^

I had this problem on a bike once and it drove me nuts--pretty much dismantled/rebuilt the whole thing trying to find the source of the sound. Ultimately it was coming from the pedals needing to be greased and reinstalled... Anyway, the one thing that no one has mentioned yet is that the problem might be coming from inside the pedals; i.e., have you checked the bearing tension of the pedals? Sometimes you'll get a really nasty click if the bearings are a little loose, esp. when you bear down on them when riding hard. I'd give them a check, just wiggle them up and down on the axle and feel if you've got any excess play. Then tighten/overhaul as needed.

i may need to do this too...there is a slight amount of play in my pedals...seems like i only here a clicking sound on the drive side and when i am really putting some weight on or when i back pedal hard

thanks

My crank was clicking too and it turned out that my crank arms were a little loose. I make sure they are tight before every ride now and the click is gone.

is it a click or a quick metallic creak? most of the suggestions above are solid places to check.

My first guess, from what you suggested, is that either your cranks are slightly loose or either a crank or your bb has become slightly deformed. Square taper, yes? If it's slightly loose (or slightly trashed out of square), a hard pedal stroke will torque the crank in one direction, while a hard backpedal will torque the crank in the opposite direction, unsettling the slightly lose joint, and causing a metallic clicking sound where there's a slight shift between the two planes of contact. Wrench down on the cranks and see if it fixes the problem.

are you cranks tightened down?

sheldon brown usually say this, if its not that your BB might be on a lil loose, might be loose crank bolts.

i had the same problem on my geared bike, BB was on a bit loose after i had serviced it

is it a click or a quick metallic creak? most of the suggestions above are solid places to check.

My first guess, from what you suggested, is that either your cranks are slightly loose or either a crank or your bb has become slightly deformed. Square taper, yes? If it's slightly loose (or slightly trashed out of square), a hard pedal stroke will torque the crank in one direction, while a hard backpedal will torque the crank in the opposite direction, unsettling the slightly lose joint, and causing a metallic clicking sound where there's a slight shift between the two planes of contact. Wrench down on the cranks and see if it fixes the problem.


this was also my problem on my other bike

this could be my deal
i checked my pedals this afternoon and they were fine
the next thing to check will be the crank bolts

will i damage the crank if i keep riding with the click sound if that is the cause?

chainring nut wrench (park cnw-2)

I had the click on my new kilo and it was the pedals...

[edit] it came back. Sh*t.

your bb has become slightly deformed. Square taper, yes? If it's slightly loose (or slightly trashed out of square)

Bingo.... ****.

Is the clicking every crank revolution, or every 2 - 3 revolutions? The first would indicate crank/BB/pedal origin, the second a chain related origin.

this could be my deal
i checked my pedals this afternoon and they were fine
the next thing to check will be the crank bolts

will i damage the crank if i keep riding with the click sound if that is the cause?

if tightening the cranks bolts doesn't help, I'd pull your cranks and check the squareness of the taper, as well as the squareness of the bb spindle.

If tightening doesn't help and you're sure the sound isn't coming from any other parts, it's probably only very slightly out of whack. you won't do any catastrophic damage, but it will probably slowly wear away at the cranks/bb and may eventually lead to having to replace some parts. Just keep everything snugged up as much as possible.

1. What kind of grease should we use for this stuff?
2. pretty much anything on the bike that you dont want rusting together needs to be greased?
3. What about seatposts, stems, etc...?

Thanks.

if tightening the cranks bolts doesn't help, I'd pull your cranks and check the squareness of the taper, as well as the squareness of the bb spindle.

If tightening doesn't help and you're sure the sound isn't coming from any other parts, it's probably only very slightly out of whack. you won't do any catastrophic damage, but it will probably slowly wear away at the cranks/bb and may eventually lead to having to replace some parts. Just keep everything snugged up as much as possible.

thank you...and i am not entirely sure it's coming from the crank but i have checked everything out
i will be purchasing the proper allen wrench to get the job done
i am slowly procuring tools so i can do all of my own maintenance

grease the threads of the bolts
finger tighten each
then tighten every other one (star pattern with a 5-bolt pattern) 1/4 turn until they're all tightened.
torque should = 50lbs for aluminum / 80lbs for steel

inch-pounds, yea

and for the OP, just read through this: http://www.parktool.com/repair/printhowto.asp?id=123