Feeling a single "tap" under my feet as I pedal
10-17-14, 12:37 PM
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Feeling a single "tap" under my feet as I pedal
I have a Giant Escape 2 that I use as my comfy commuter to work everyday. Lately, off and on I get this single "tap" under my feet as I pedal. It only happens when the pedal is at the top of it's rotation. It used to happen occasionally only on one side but now I noticed it on both. Again, it's not all the time, just maybe for the first 10 mins of my ride.
Any ideas? Something wrong with my pedals?
Any ideas? Something wrong with my pedals?
10-17-14, 01:04 PM
#2
Mechanic/Tourist
Probably NOT the pedals themselves. Most common causes are loose cranks on spindle and loose pedals on cranks.Creaks, Clicks & Clunks
10-17-14, 01:09 PM
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Don't wear dancing shoes when riding.
it could be almost anything from a slightly loose pedal, noise cleat (if riding cliples), to a loose BB, to .....
Like all pedal synchronous clicks and creaks, it's a long diagnostic process.
While I normally try to analyze and test the most likely possibilities, the list here is too long. So I take out "gee, how could have I missed something so simple" insurance and work from the easiest to confirm or reject to spare myself unnecessary wasted effort. Start by removing one or both pedals and substituting others known to be OK, or reinstalling the same after cleaning and greasing the threads and mating faces.
Also check for easy stuff like a FD cable bent so it touches the crank or can tap on the frame, a chipped tooth on the chainring, and loose chainring bolts. In short, eliminate ALL the easy to check things BEFORE moving to things like taking apart the BB.
As I said, it's a LONG list of possibilities, so some patience is needed.
it could be almost anything from a slightly loose pedal, noise cleat (if riding cliples), to a loose BB, to .....
Like all pedal synchronous clicks and creaks, it's a long diagnostic process.
While I normally try to analyze and test the most likely possibilities, the list here is too long. So I take out "gee, how could have I missed something so simple" insurance and work from the easiest to confirm or reject to spare myself unnecessary wasted effort. Start by removing one or both pedals and substituting others known to be OK, or reinstalling the same after cleaning and greasing the threads and mating faces.
Also check for easy stuff like a FD cable bent so it touches the crank or can tap on the frame, a chipped tooth on the chainring, and loose chainring bolts. In short, eliminate ALL the easy to check things BEFORE moving to things like taking apart the BB.
As I said, it's a LONG list of possibilities, so some patience is needed.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-17-14, 02:14 PM
#5
Mechanic/Tourist
Not just patience but also thought/logic. If it's become progressively worse the odd are it is something that is becoming progressively loose, so you can rule out some causes that way. Also, a front derailleur cable will only occur one per rev, not on both cranks. Cleats also would tend to be only one click per rev, or at least only on one crank arm. If you've recently overhauled the BB cranks arms would be a prime suspect, etc.
10-17-14, 03:17 PM
#6
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And don't forget to think of silly things. Sometimes for me, it has been a jacket drawstring bouncing against my frame!
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