chandltp

I have a Trek 7000 that's about a year old with approximately 3500 miles on it. All original except for the freewheel and chain.

This just started on the way home today. On the downstroke on the right pedal, I get a clicking. I don't hear it so much as feel it in my foot.

Where should I start? I know there was a web site that kind of had a troubleshooter, but I can't seem to remember what it was or find it.

10 Wheels

Can you grease the pedal bearings?

chandltp

All the instructions I'm finding seem to relate to clipless pedals.. are they the same for platform pedals?

cny-bikeman

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html Helps eliminate the guessing games. I've never seen bearings click as you describe. Most likely is a pedal or crank that needs to be torqued properly. Tighten both on both sides and you will probably fix the problem. If not check Sheldon's suggestions.

10 Wheels

The End caps come off and then I push in grease until it comes out the otherside.

RandomTroll

I recently traced a click down to the freehub. Perhaps you could borrow pedals from a friend, substitute them in? I have an inventory of old but still useful parts I swap in to diagnose problems. It would be cheaper to buy the cheapest pedals from Wal*Mart than taking it to a bike shop for a diagnosis. (and, if the Wal*Mart pedals solve the problem, buy some real pedals)

chandltp

Well, I took apart my pedals and greased the bearings with no luck. My grease must be too thick because now they're really stiff. I checked the tightness of the crank bolt, and it didn't seem loose, but I snugged it up a bit without any success. I'm calling it a night. Tomorrow I'll borrow my wife's pedals (if they're the same size) and see if that fixes it. I should have done that before taking apart my old ones.. oh well. That's what I get for working after dark.. my brain stops functioning.

I may not get this resolved before I have to leave for scout camp on Sunday.. if nothing is obviously loose, can I damage something (that doesn't already have a problem) by riding it?

zachdees

if their popping most likely you got a rock inside the pedal or your bearings are bad

chandltp

Well, i had the pedals completely apart and didn't see anything. I'm thinking I need to take them completely apart, clean them up, and use a lighter grease this time. I know it's the pedals after I do the pedal swap today.

2_i 

Bottom bracket loosening up?

chandltp

That's what I'm leaning towards at this point, but I tried the Sheldon "squeeze" method and didn't really find anything. After the pedals, I think that's my next step is to figure out what kind of bottom bracket wrench I need an get one so I can try to tighten it.

chandltp

OK, how can I tell what kind of bottom bracket I have? It's not on Trek's site or bikepedia. I'm thinking it's most likely a Shimano of some sort.. and I would need the BBT-22. Any definitive way to tell? I guess I could take it into my LBS and ask them.. but I really don't like dealing with them anymore. I'm not the type of rider they seem to cater to.

chandltp

Switching out the pedals didn't work.. still need to figure out how to loosen my old ones up a bit.. they were really comfortable (probably cheap too).

zachdees

I Gotta say ive had alot of trouble aswell with pedals popping when im pedalling it does agrivate you much

cny-bikeman

I don't have a lot of exposure to the more recent bottom brackets, but I would generally never describe a bottom bracket noise as a "click." It's usually a lower frequency, more like a "clunk." You've eliminated pedals, so it's crank on spindle or perhaps chainwheel rivets. You might try removing the crank arms, making sure the mating surfaces are clean and smooth (try steel wool) and then reassembling to proper torque.

chandltp

Well, I don't hear a click so much as a feel a click.. so, how do I figure out what tools I need to check these things? I figure I can buy the tools or pay the same price to have the LBS fix it (which based on past experience they may not even feel the problem). My LBS isn't much of a help since they only have really basic tools and everything would be a special order. If I'm doing that, I might as well price compare.

chandltp

Any ideas on the parts? I know it's only been 12 hours, but I was hoping to get them ordered before I went out of town today so hopefully I would have them when I return. I was also thinking that if the bottom bracket wasn't too expensive I'd order that and just replace it while I was at it. It looks like a Shimano bottom bracket based on everything I've seen, but looking at them they come in so many different sizes, and I can't find the specs on that for my bike.

zachdees

trust me on this one go buy new pedals and dont waste your time on the crank its not the source ive had the pedal issue happen to me on every new bike or used bike i bought everytime it was the pedals the bearings seem to wear out on them alot you might consider buying Steel black ones maybe gt pedals because those last long ive had them on my road bike for dam near 1 year and not one popping noise or feel in them

Anyways Hope this helps

chandltp

I already swapped out the pedals and the problem persisted.

episodic

I'm having the same problem with my bike. I feel a pop on the powerstroke of the pedal. The crankset doesn't wobble and doesn't seem to be loose. Fuji Crosstown 4.0 with 210 miles though. I hate going to the bike store and saying something is 'clunking'. So a bump to your thread.

zachdees

then if your pedals arent the issue then Install a new Crank Buy a new crank or install new bearings

mostlikely a bearing shot out of the bearing housing due to two much pressure applyd to the bearings if thats not the problem check your bottum bracket cups to see if theres a ding in one of the cups

zacster

You probably overtightened your existing pedals when putting them back together. The grease won't make them that stiff.

As for your noise, try tightening the crank arms, the chainring bolts, and your seatpost. Also try different shoes! I'm guessing you always ride in the same ones.

chandltp

Looking at the bike, I'm thinking I have a sealed Shimano cartridge units, but I'm not sure. Is there a good reference site to verify what this looks like while installed in the bike? I haven't seemed to find a good picture. Or are there specs somewhere for my bike? Bikepedia or Trek's web site don't specify the bottom bracket type / brand.

pwdeegan

the BB-downtube-squeeze method isn't always 100%. get the tools and DIY; because then you can continue to DIY and save your pennies.

chandltp

Yes, I agree with getting the tools and DIY, I just can't figure out what tools to get. I think I'm just going to go to my LBS and have them order the tools I need.

For a few miles I thought my issue had disappeared this morning. However, as I turned into work, it reappeared, but at the top of the stroke on my right foot this time.

On a possibly related note (or completely unrelated), I noticed my handlebars creak. The stem actually seems to have some play inside the headset (I think I have the right terminology, but not 100%). I've tightened the bolt for the wedge on the handlebars, but that didn't help. Anything else to tighten on those?