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Familiar BB shell clicking, even when not cranking

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Familiar BB shell clicking, even when not cranking

Old 10-27-08, 08:46 AM
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Familiar BB shell clicking, even when not cranking

This morning before dawn it was pretty cold - just above freezing in fact. I noticed what seemed like a rotational "click" noise coming from the BB/crank area. Immediately I got a feeling of dread as I'd spent a couple weeks this last summer getting my cartridge BB and square taper cranks tightened right, so they wouldn't make any noise.

Then I noticed that the noise continued while rolling, even with out any pedaling. Riding over rough surfaces reproduced it. This noise is similar to that when BB cups or crank arms are loose, but it's much softer and not related to a specific crank arm orientation.

Here's the weirder part, 2 hours later I was riding again. The temperature had warmed up considerably and I noticed my bike was silent. My earlier ride was on country roads and trails, and the later ride was in down town Seattle. It's possible I just couldn't hear the noise in the city, but my gut feeling is the cold was a factor.

Thoughts?

Thanks
-Sean
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Old 10-27-08, 09:28 AM
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Old 10-27-08, 09:32 AM
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I also have this problem on cold days. Which has been everyday for about the last month. At first I was concerned and took the entire crank assembly apart, clean it, regreased it, and reassembled. The clicking continued when the temperature was below fortyish. I wrote it off as the cold, but was still considering replacing the BB and crankset. So is there a temperature/click connection? I dunno.
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Old 10-29-08, 04:24 PM
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If it continues even when you're not peadaling then I can't see how it could be the BB. Have you checked for brake rub, fenders, something stuck in the tire, warped rotor if you have disc brakes, etc.?
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Old 10-29-08, 09:07 PM
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It's warmed up considerably since Monday and the noise is gone. I do have disc brakes, a dynamo hub, fenders and bigger tires. There's lots of opportunities for freak rotational noises - but I wasn't hearing a noise that was consistent with wheel rotation.

Thanks for the tips.
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Old 10-29-08, 09:45 PM
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Maybe it's the rails of your saddle contracting in the cold, or something along those lines?
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Old 10-30-08, 10:46 AM
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maybe the front derailer cable touching the tyre
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