Bicycle Mechanics - Click when pedaling under load

I was noticing this morning on my commute that I am getting a click (one) every time I load my right crank (begin the downward stroke with my right leg). The noise is not there if I spin gently but if I add any load to the crank the noise appears. Do I have a loose crank arm that can be tightened or lubed? I wouldn't think it would be the bottom bracket if it only happens when the right crank arm is loaded.:confused:

I am also getting chain rub on my front derailleur when in high gear. Can I adjust the derailleur position without effecting the max travel so I don't have a problem with the chain jumping? The chain rub seems worse when the right crank arm is loaded. Loose parts?

This is a 97 Cannondale Silk Road 900 Ultegra

Giant,

Take a look at the responses I got from my thread, "Bottom Bracket Clicking".

It can take quite a while to find these problems but you eventually will.

Good Luck!

With clicking, you should start at the pedal bearings, not the bottom bracket. Pedals are easier and cheaper to service. If you still have clicking, then look to the BB unit.
Check that your cranks are tight.

The most obvious culprits are the point of contact between the pedal and the crank and between the crank and the bottom bracket.

Remove the pedal; clean the threads of the pedal bolt and the bold hole in the crank; grease the threads; re-attach the pedal.

Now, remove the crank bolt; clean the threads and the crank bolt hole; grease the threads; put the bolt back in and make sure it's tight. DON'T force it tight, the crank is soft alloy, and you could damage threads. Just make sure it's pretty firm.

That should solve your problem.

While you are following Velocipedo's advice, be sure to check carefully for cracks around the crank's pedal eye. Any sign of weakness or compromise in this area merits immediate crank replacement, as breaking a crank during an out-of-saddle sprint or climb is not fun (been there ... done that ... ouch!).

Since you're hearing this click under load, and the chain is now rubbing the derailleur, I'm going to suggest tightening the crank bolt first! Then try the pedals. If that's not it, then it'll probably be the bottom bracket! As velocipedo said, clean and re-lube.

Another quick and easy way to check the pedals is to put a different pedal on. If the clicking goes away, it's time to rebuild the pedal, if the click is still there, keep listening and looking!

L8R!

When you are really stomping on it there is more flex in the whole crank/chainring/bb area than you realize, certainly enough for something to tick against something else. You should be able to "trim" your front der. STI levers have an extra "click" for the front, ie, doubles actually have 3 clicks, triples 4. If the rubbing is when you are on the big ring and one of the middle or more inward cogs, you should be able to give one click on the small lever to shift the der slightly inward to eliminate the rubbing. If the rubbing occurs on big ring and more outward cogs and you have clicked the shifter as far outward as it will go you may need to adjust the der. See if you can push the big lever to move the der outward at all and momentarily eliminate the rub. If it won't move any farther outward at all adjust your high limit. Any time you make such an adjustment I suggest checking both the low and high limits just as a precaution. If you don't do such things yourself have a shop do it. I find that my shop tends to be overly conservative and set the high limit so far inward I can't even shift to the big ring so I have to readjust anytime they have worked on the bike. This is safety related adjustment. If you are not familiar with it, don't just start turning screws. You need to get a good book and familiarize yourself with the operation and adjustment of the front der. It is a simple looking mechanism, but one of the more difficult to get properly adjusted. Improper adjustment of the high and low limits can cause you to drop your chain and possibly crash.
Good luck,
Raymond