Ticking while pedaling
 

Roubaix SL3 Expert 2X10.
I just had the front derailleur hanger repaired with two new rivets so it's solid and aligned.
I have a ticking sound while pedaling on the right side down stroke and can't trace it. It's not a cable tip, not rubbing on the derailleur.
For the first part of the ride it's not present, but after about 8-10 miles it starts, and not every stroke, just most of them.
This ticking was present before I had the rivets replaced. I can't duplicate the sound on the rack, only while riding.
Any clues?

Still ticking pedaling out of the saddle?
What type of BB crank attachment...maybe check crank bolt tension or preload in this connection. Pedals tight on the cranks?, cleats tight on your shoes?, bars secure in the stem? Not a cable bumping the frame or anything?

Since, ostensibly, the only part of the bike the mechanic changed was the derailleur, the hanger, and the rear wheel, that's where I'd start looking. Try tightening the skewer on the rear wheel. I've known them to be tight enough to hold the wheel on but not tight enough not to creak.

Does it occur both seated and standing?

I finally tracked down a creak on my bike I've had for the last couple of weeks, occurred only when standing. My rear wheel skewer was not tight enough.

If you put a fair number of miles on the bike, at some point you'll need to replace the pedals. So buy a new pair of pedals, put 'em on, see if that eliminates it. If not, put the old ones back on and save that box of new ones for when you need them.

I thought ticking was always a worn bottom bracket.

Often, but not always. It pays to investigate less expensive, less invasive problems first.

My SOP for ticks/clicks that occur only while pedaling:
- Swap pedals with new pair I keep in stock.
- If noise disappears, it was pedal bearings. (This is cause 90% of time.)
- If noise continues, put old pedals back on, and replace BB bearings.

Could be just the chain striking the derailleur cage....

A loose or broken spoke?

Cheers

Clean and grease the threads, too.

I still can't trace the ticking. I had both derailleurs "professionally" adjusted (after I screwed them up), still ticking (just not as loud). The bike rides and shifts fine. There's only 3300 miles on the bike, BB is tight, nothing hanging loose. Must be a Gremlin in there somewhere.

I have offered this advice before, it might be your cleats and/or shoes.

I had a mystery click like that once. Checked everything - pedals, bottom bracket, crank bolts, shoelaces, rack mounting, chainrings and bolts, etc. Finally figured out what it was when my right crank arm broke while climbing out of the saddle. What I was hearing was the micro crack working open and close with the pedaling motion. These sorts of cracks are caused by metal fatigue and typically propagate from a stress point like a nick or sharp casting/machining point. A quick inspection with a bright light and a magnifying glass will usually reveal any crack.

I'll try an inspection. Thanx

Can't be cleats - I don't use them. Flat bottom high-tops.

OP, as I read your first post, it seems you are saying this tick was there before any changes were made to the derailleurs, correct? "This ticking was present before I had the rivets replaced." So, it probably has nothing to do with that.

Have you checked the seat clamp bolt? Properly torqued? Just one of MANY possible culprits. On one of various ticks I've had, I had the exact same symptoms: not repeatable on the stand, and it took several miles to start up. It was the seat.

Well, now I've developed the same metallic sounding tick on the other road bike (Aluminum Allez). I've checked the seat mountings, cables, pedals, cranks, chains, and derailleurs without success. Can't duplicated the tick on the stand, only under power. Must be Gremlins.

2016: 1,956 Miles ♂ Total Miles: 11,554
Allez 795/3227 · Roubaix 858/3390 · Sirrus 170/2205 · Trike 134/1717

Check your pedal and your cleats.

It was the pedals (but not cleats since I don't use them). The other bike (Allez) started the same ticking and the only thing common to both bikes (other than me) are the pedals, both sets installed within a month of each other two years ago. A new set on the Roubaix eliminated the ticking.

Next I'll pull the reversible pedals off the Allez and see if I can WD40 them. I read somewhere that the bike component that gets the most forceable wear is the pedals (even more so than the bottom bracket). But if the sealed bearings are too worn, it'll require new pedals.

The last time I rode with cleats it cost me bruised ribs (senior moment-forgot to kick out) so I no longer ride with cleats, don't need the reversible pedals.

This new set of lite-weight (285g/pair) and inexpensive ($23.18/pair-ebay) non-slip platform pedals feel great.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...psplsovxcy.jpg

Don't WD40 them. Grease them.

Not possible - they are sealed bearings. A little WD40 to loosen up the old lube, let it dry, then drip a little TriFlo (Teflon) lubricant. Rode 21 miles today, no ticking. I think the other set (on the Roubaix, replaced with new pedals,) are too worn. I cleaned and lubed them and put them in a box as back-ups.

Ticking problem solved. Thanks guys.