Originally Posted by
BCC212
Sounds a plan.
Cassette came apart fine, no grit or obvious signs of debris.
Freewheel removed and bearings checked which also looked fine. No signs of brinelling or pitting (although these were sealed, so only gauged this on spinning the wheel with my fingers acting as axle.
It's absurdly annoying, especially when climbing at low speed. All I can hear is the tick of my wheel.
I'll oil the nipples when I'm back home. Fingers crossed.
You can save yourself some work in the future by being more analytical. For instance freehub or cassette issues, would manifest when coasting or pedaling, but not both, and the cassette would never tick when coasting because it's not moving. Also bearings rarely, if ever "tick" they may make other sounds when failing, or grit make make noise but it won't be a synchronous tick.
As I posted before, I lean toward the tire. Ant it might not only be the tread. Sometimes seat funny and you'll get a tick as that spot comes underneath. One hint might be higher or lower pressure, which might change the sound a bit.
In any case, since you have the tire off, see if you can find another tire and see if that solves it.
BTW- one other thing to try, so simple it's worth it even if the odds are low. Remove the valve nut, and jam a toothpick between the valve stem and rim. Takes a second, and beats finding out it was so simple AFTER tearing your hair out.