DirtriderDan

I have an 08 Specialized Tarmac Pro. It has about 2000 miles on it. I'd been getting a sporatic clicking noise as I pedal sometimes and usually when pedaling hard. Now it is clicking virtually every rotation. At first I thought it was the pedals and tried switching them out but it still occurs. Then I had the idea to have someone hold the brakes as I pushed down on the crank. When I do that I get the annoying clicking noise. This clicking only occurs on the right side and I had also confirmed this before by pedaling only on the left and only on the right side. I was surprised by how much the frame flexes especially when the bike is tipped over slightly (left) and the downward force is applied (right crank arm). I am wondering if anyone has an idea of what it might be in the crank or elsewhere? I haven't taken it apart yet but am not afraid to try if someone gives me an idea what to look for. Is it just the bearings perhaps? This has the stock specialized carbon crank on it.

neil0502

You many find the following links helpful in tracking it down:

https://sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html

AND

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=123

It's usually just a matter of patiently removing, cleaning,
re-lubing, and re-torquing fasteners until it quiets down.

e2py

Unless you are 100% sure it's the crank then I'd do the simple thing and remove/regrease the seatpost. I've had this happen three times now and it's my first check.

DirtriderDan

I don't see how it could possibly be that when I have my bro hold the brakes, don't touch the seat, and I press down the right crank arm with my hand. I hear the click with maybe 50 lbs of pressure. Maybe less.

e2py

"I was surprised by how much the frame flexes..." - that's part of the reason I suggested the seatpost. If you are sure it's lower then do the searches and try the easy culprits like chainring bolts. My last click sure sounded like BB bearings, but I wasn't sure - LBS wrench took it apart, cleaned, lubed and I'm click free and out the door for $20.

DirtriderDan

Well yesterday I took apart the crank. Cleaned it all and greased it. I used finish line teflon grease I got from performance bike so I hope that is ok to use. I then rode it 17 miles. It definitely creaks less. However, I still notice it some. I am wondering if perhaps more than one thing was creaking before because pressure on the right or left crank being off the bike doesn't make any clicking noise anymore.
What is the deal with greasing the seat post? Carbon frame and carbon seat post. I thought these normally aren't supposed to be greased and am hesitant to do so since cleaning it out might not be easily possible. Is this teflon grease ok to use or do I need special carbon grease?

e2py

I didn't realize it was a carbon seatpost, nor did I realize the numerous differing opinions on grease or other lubes for them - when in doubt, do what the manufacturer recommends: Specialized Carbon Seatpost guidance

Park Tools may be able to answer your question: Park creaky drivetrain

IAmCosmo

My Tarmac makes the same noise. I've had the shop look it over twice and even disassembled and regreased/retorqued everything and it still does it.

I've learned to live with it...

DirtriderDan

It is such a sweet bike besides that noise. Nothing like cruising on a road bike with complete silence other than the wind and the slight white noise of a perfectly tuned drivetrain.

I called a big bike shop in my area, spokes bikes, which stocks something like the most bikes in all of the midwest, and they said they've had a couple complaints of it too. The tech told me he tried putting thread lock behind all the bearing and cir clip stuff in the crank to take up any extra gaps. Said it worked better than grease and quieted things down. Not sure if anyone has heard of this before...

rfwins

I had that clicking noise as well, i would have bet the house the pedal bearings were taking a crap
so i pulled the pedal and checked it out everything was fine repacked with new grease put the pedal back
on and went for a short ride dam'n clicking still there just by chance i checked out my cleat
on my shoe FOUND THE CLICK hair line crack on one of screw holes holding the cleat to the shoe new cleats no more clicking!!!

surfengine

i dont understand the part of "holding the brakes down".
what does that mean?

he is closing the brakes while you pedal? Should be an issue in the cassette/hub assembly if that is the case.

anyway...even though you already did it....check the pedals again and make sure they are tight enough.

PeanutDance

I have a Tarmac 08 and had the same problem. I took out the bolts that clamp the seat post to the seat and greased them, they were installed dry, seemed to fix it. They're also supposed to be torqued to 80 in lbs, so they might be a little loose or not tightened correctly. I'd also suggest greasing the seat collar bolt and making sure it's torqued to 55 in lbs.

neil0502

I presume you mean "music"

DirtriderDan

Thanks for all these ideas guys. I'm eager to get out of work and attempt a few of these. Keep the ideas coming and I'll post up the results.

DirtriderDan

How very careless of me. Thanks for the correction

I have to admit. Owning a road bike is way more enjoyable than I presumed. Coming from more of an off road motorcycling and mtn biking background I figured all the time on the road wouldn't be very exciting. What a difference 5-10mph faster and near effortless pedaling makes. I didn't ride the mtn bike much being in the Chicago suburbs and just not having the time to take trips. The road bike opened up a whole new option for me after work and made riding fun again. I put on about 800 miles the first two months I had it last year. That was double what my mtn bike got in 4 years. I know, still shamefully low miles for such bikes...