TheGBKid

The bike: 2011 Fuji SST 2.0, Full Ultegra

The issue: Under load, each time EITHER of my feet is between the 5-6 o'clock position, there's a click. Speeds up as I pedal faster, and vice versa.

What I've done so far: Removed pedals (Ultegra) and regreased, checked chain for any stiff links, removed chainring bolts, regreased and tightened to spec. Checked to make sure shoes weren't hitting cable, checked that nothing on tire is hitting anything, still the click persists.

If anyone can help me diagnose and repair, that would be wonderful. Love the bike and have ~800 miles on it since purchasing in mid August. Just this pesky click to help make the ride even better.

Thanks for the help!

Leebo

Check bottom bracket. Crank/ bb interface, and crank bolts.

Rootman

I had a similar issue with mine, turned out it WAS the pedal, must be a bearing going bad. I put my old platform pedal back on and it was gone, it also disappeared when I rode my SPD pedals with street shoes or pedaled with my cycle shoes unclipped or with my heel.

Kimmo

Also BB/frame interface. Not to mention seat and seatpost.

musicman1

Check pedals and if not then replace cleats. That was my clicking issue.

TheGBKid

Thanks everyone for the info. The pedals and cleats were new and I put them on myself - I'll re-check everything by putting the platforms back on and riding. As far as bottom bracket/frame/cranks, will this require special tools? If so, perhaps a trip back to the LBS where I got it will be better served. I'm just mechanically inclined enough to create bigger problems

Kimmo

Yep.

If it was me, the choice between buying tools and paying for labour would be a no-brainer... working on bikes ain't rocket surgery.

mconlonx

If you purchased it from a shop, as new, this should be on the shop to diagnose and repair. Even though tracking down mystery clicking is a total drag. I'd guess BB from your description of it happening when either pedal is in the offending position. Or something completely unrelated like seat post/saddle rail clamp.

Kimmo

Oops, getting my clicking threads confused.

I concur; it's the shop's problem.

cny-bikeman

What about tightening crank arms - 1st thing to try but I don't see it listed. Regreased pedals - overhauled or greased the pedal threads, or both?

You have to think a bit to isolate the possible causes of a rhythmic noise. If once per pedal rev it's impossible for it to be the chain, which goes a revolution about 2 turns or more of the pedals. It can't be the wheels/cassette, which generally go mulitiple revs per crank revolution. It MUST be something at the bottom bracket, or less frequently something related to your body, which also moves/flexes once per crank revolution (saddle, bars/stem, shoes)

Also, you say it's at the 5-6 o'clock position, but more to the point it's at the 12:00 to 1:00 position of the other pedal - just when you are applying power.

TheGBKid

Good points about methodically going about this and using some logic.

I removed both pedals, regreased the threads and replaced and retorqued them. Did not rebuild the pedals (wouldn't think I'd have to with brand new ones).

Regarding your last point, the click is actually happening at the bottom of the power stroke when my right foot is between 5-6 and my left is at about 11-12 (and vice versa). And the sound is coming from the right when right foot is down, and left when the left is down.

Any special tool required for tightening the crank arms?

cny-bikeman

FIRST if this is a recent purchase or still covered under an adjustment period do take it to the shop.

Thank you for more info - I should have also asked if it is truly a click (rather high pitched) rather than what is usually called a clunk - lower pitch. That is a somewhat unusual spot for a click, apparently occurring from stress reducing rather than increasing.

As for the cranks, I recommend the same as for any maintenance procedure with which you are not familiar. First Google your bike (2011 Fuji SST 2.0) and "specs." Look up what model part comes on your bike (Shimano Ultegra Hollowtech II for the crankset) and then Google the part and remove/overhaul/service as needed. First result doing that:
https://www.cyclistno1.co.uk/features...nk-service.htm which shows complete servicing of that BB - but don't go that far. Just scroll down to where it explains how to tighten the crank arms.

TheGBKid

Un-Friggin-believable.

So, I found the source of my click tonight. Before lugging the bike to the shop to overhaul the bottom bracket, I decided maybe I should just check to see if all the screws were tight on my shoes and cleats. Coincidentally, they were.

However, I shook them just to make sure there wasn't another source of the noise and lo and behold, there was a rattle. Are you kidding me? Now, where is it coming from? I took the cleats off the shoes again and noticed that there was a 4th screw hole with a sliding plate. I'm using SPD-SL cleats so this isn't used. When I shook the shoe again, this mount would slide back and forth and "click" against the carbon bottoms. I spent 5 minutes ripping those things out of both shoes, putting the cleats back on and shook them - silence.

Now, the real test (and my wife wasn't happy about making dinner wait) - a 10 minute spin around the block. Nothing but the sound of the tires on the ground and the gears meshing with the chain.

I want to thank everyone for the ideas on diagnosing this. If anyone else has these shoes, be prepared for a click if you're not utilizing the 4th screw hole.

Oops - forgot to mention that the shoes are Giro Trans shoes.

cny-bikeman

Great example of eliminating logical possibilities until you find the answer. Although I did say it was less likely, shoes were on the list of per crank rev causes.T here are so many different causes for noise that one can always find a new one. What's important is that you use your mind so that you at least know where to look.

othervoice

Can I ask how you took out the sliding plate? I've removed the insole but there's still that footbed blocking access to the plate. Did you just tear that open?

I found the exact same issue with my Giro Trans this morning, the sliding plate is the source of a clicking noise.

Velocivixen

I wear Chrome urban bike shoes when I ride. I heard rhythmic clicking similar to yours & was driving me crazy. I didn't have to go as far into things as you, but I looked down and saw that the metal aglets (the tips at ends of shoe laces) were flopping up & down.

fietsbob

I hear one every Morning in my House .. Turns out it is a Nesting Bird tapping away.. Its Spring .!