whatisit

Hi all..

I have been riding fixed for about 10 years now, with three different bikes. They've all been the same style - 70's/80's steel-frame 10-speeds converted to fixed. However, I've been having the same issue on-and-off, for 10 years, with 3 completely different bikes. I've tried going to countless numbers of bike shops, in a total of 4 states, no less, and absolutely no one has been able to solve my issue, nor have they ever seen the issue before - which makes absolutely no sense to me. The issue is this:

When trying to slow down/stop without skidding (just resisting/back-pedaling), there is a loud "click"/"pop" coming from my non-drivetrain crank arm. It mostly happens when the crank arm is around the 3 o'clock position, however as the problem gets worse, it also happens around the 10 o'clock position when going up hills, starting from a stop, etc. Basically, the sound happens whenever I'm putting any level of stress on the crank arm.

So - through the process of elimination, I have determined that this mostly has to do with the bolts that connect the crank arms to the frame/bottom bracket area. The sound seems to be the worst and the most sensitive when the bolts are either too loose or too tight.

Here is a summary of the remedies I have tried, with the first being everyone's natural suggestion:

- Completely replacing the bottom bracket
- Completely replacing the crankset
- Completely replacing the pedals
- Cleaning and re-greasing the pedals
- Cleaning and re-greasing the crank bolts
- Tightening the chainring bolts
- Replacing the chain
- Adjusting the chain tension - loose, mid, and tight
- Deep-cleaning and re-lubing the chain

This is driving me nuts. At first, I thought it was maybe due to a messed-up frame (with my first bike), but I've gone through two other bikes since then, and the problem persists. Not only is the sound just incredibly annoying, it sounds like something is about to break. I'm sure I don't have to explain to you all how insanely irritating clicking noises can be.

So... I admit that I've never ridden the nicest cranksets. For my past two bikes, I've had the $80 Origin8 1/8in single-speed crankset. My bottom bracket is a standard Shimano bottom bracket - I'm pretty sure its a BB-UN55. I just had it replaced about two weeks ago, and that fixed the problem for about a week.

There's no way I can be the only one with this problem. Like I said, absolutely no one at any bike shop I've been to has said "Oh yeah! I know what that sound is, and here is the solution!", which makes this even more frustrating.

Help...

SquidPuppet

I'm pretty sure your BB didn't begin to fail after one week. And since the noise was gone for a week we can probably eliminate the pedals and crank arm itself from the list of possible culprits. So that leads me to suspect that something is wrong with installation of the BB or crank arm.

Was the BB well greased and torqued to spec? Was the crank arm torqued to spec?

Some people have had success eliminating BB creaks and ticks by applying some teflon tape to the threads.

What frames are we talking about here, specifically?

whatisit

Thanks for the reply. I can only assume that the BB was installed correctly - the shop I had do the installation generally does solid work. Specifically, my frame is a regular old Raleigh steel frame - I think it's around 56cm or so (700c).

SquidPuppet

I'd try the teflon tape then.

You can save a lot of money (labor costs) in the long run if you buy a couple crank/BB tools and a torque wrench. Then you'll know it was done right. Replacing cranks and BBS is easier than fixing a flat IMO.

UltraManDan

The sound continued even with new parts and on different bikes? Makes me think its something with the type of pedals you are using? SPD's? Maybe the click is from that

whatisit

The sound continued with new parts and on different bikes. I'm using MKS Sylvan track pedals.

UltraManDan

Are they serviceable? Maybe pull the spindle and clean/ regrease the bearings? Or throw some different pedals on there and see if it goes away.

I just don't see how the noise would continue across all new parts/ bikes unless there is a variable that is constant between all the attempts. Pedals sound like the only culprit.

steve-in-kville 

Make sure your shoelaces aren't smacking the frame at each pedal stroke. Had this happen a few years back. Drove me nuts until I figured out where the noise was coming from!

ThermionicScott 

Sure it's not the saddle creaking from loading it differently?

seau grateau

If this is happening off and on over 10 years with different bikes, it's probably an issue of generally bad installation or maintenance rather than one specific part that can be pinpointed.

Cyclcist11023131

My last phantom clicking disappeared when I replaced my chain. The time before that was two loose spokes. The time before that was loose chainring bolts.

SirSoyrizo

I don't understand how this can be happening to all your bikes over 10 years. I had this issue and resolved it in one day. Had a clicking noise coming from my BB area whenever I would pedal or use foot retention to slow down.. Found out all I needed to do was tighten the crank arms and the chainring bolts. Maybe you need new bolts or you're using low quality parts on your bike. Good luck

+1

steve-in-kville 

Maybe the noise is all in your head?? Like you're imagining it. I hear voices. Talk back to the voices. I learned to live with it.

seau grateau

Who said that?

steve-in-kville 

Wasn't me.

drlogik 

Who said what? I missed that.

As far as the bottom bracket, looks like the advice above should help find and fix it. I have the same problem with mine right now and I have a new BB going in when I find the time.

Those ticks and clicks drive me nuts as well. I had a clicking noise years ago that I finally attributed to my shoelace. Same as the previous post above. Drove me nuts for a week though. I was old enough to laugh at it then.


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whatisit

Looks like I finally got the problem fixed. Took it to my LBS and they replaced the drivetrain-side crank arm bolt. Kinda weird because the noise was predominantly coming from the non-drivetrain side (?). I've been riding it for about a week and a half (daily, which also included a 36mi group ride), with no issues.

Crazy how such a simple problem took 10 years and something like 15 bike shops to solve...

Scrodzilla

Even crazier that you couldn't figure it out yourself.

IAmSam

Not too smug, are we?