Is some bottom bracket sound normal?
10-21-17 | 09:27 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Bikes: motobecane outcast 29er singlespeed and nashbar singlespeed road bike
Is some bottom bracket sound normal?
I have had many bikes and I have not had one yet that is 100% quiet in the bottom bracket.
my newest two bikes a Specialized cruiser and a KHS road bike are starting to have a slight click in what I believe is the bottom bracket.
I am told that I should not worry about it and that the bottom brackets from the factory should have adequate grease.
I figure that unless there starts to be any side to side play in the crankarms or the bottom bracket that it's probably safe.
one of my bikes has been doing it for quite some time and still feels tight.
the experiment here will be to see if it looks ok on the inside from ignoring it for a while.
many brands have done this and all have been entry level.
I think they all have used a sealed bottom bracket cartridge, so it might be the cartridge itself.
the bike shop where I got my KHS bike yesterday told me that I should not have to worry or mess with the bottom bracket for at least 5 to 6 years. they are made to take a beating, even the low end ones.
it could always be the wheel hub as well, but is probably the bottom bracket.
but most bikes I have ridden have some sort of clicking sound.
I am told that if the shell ever strips that in most cases it can be tapped.
my newest two bikes a Specialized cruiser and a KHS road bike are starting to have a slight click in what I believe is the bottom bracket.
I am told that I should not worry about it and that the bottom brackets from the factory should have adequate grease.
I figure that unless there starts to be any side to side play in the crankarms or the bottom bracket that it's probably safe.
one of my bikes has been doing it for quite some time and still feels tight.
the experiment here will be to see if it looks ok on the inside from ignoring it for a while.
many brands have done this and all have been entry level.
I think they all have used a sealed bottom bracket cartridge, so it might be the cartridge itself.
the bike shop where I got my KHS bike yesterday told me that I should not have to worry or mess with the bottom bracket for at least 5 to 6 years. they are made to take a beating, even the low end ones.
it could always be the wheel hub as well, but is probably the bottom bracket.
but most bikes I have ridden have some sort of clicking sound.
I am told that if the shell ever strips that in most cases it can be tapped.
10-22-17 | 01:14 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 323
From: Mt Shasta, CA, USA
Bikes: Too many. Giant Trance X 29, Surly Midnight Special get the most time.
My experience also is that the majority of the time people misidentify other sounds as bb noise, because lots of things, including some non obvious ones, will clock to the pedal stroke, as it's really the biggest weight transfer while riding. Common culprits are:
Pedals
Saddle clamp, saddle, seatpost clamp
Rear QR
Chainring bolts
Gremlins
Most bikes do not produce bb noise. The most common actual problems with bbs are improper bearing preload/crank bolt torque and poor tolerances on press fit bbs.
Pedals
Saddle clamp, saddle, seatpost clamp
Rear QR
Chainring bolts
Gremlins
Most bikes do not produce bb noise. The most common actual problems with bbs are improper bearing preload/crank bolt torque and poor tolerances on press fit bbs.
10-22-17 | 05:28 AM
#4
Mechanic/Tourist
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,522
Likes: 12
From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.
You are incorrect that things are OK if there is no play. The most common problem by far is the bolts that secure the crank arms to the spindle being insufficiently tight, and that can show up any time. Here's a page from Sheldon Brown on diagnosing noises: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html and some results from bikeforum (Google does a better job of searching threads than the BF tool) https://www.google.com/search?q=bott...w=1440&bih=760
Last edited by cny-bikeman; 10-22-17 at 06:08 AM.
10-22-17 | 05:55 AM
#5
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore
Bikes: Felt F90 06, Astra Tour de Belgique '71, Giant Prodigy '94, GT Agressor '13
My experience also is that the majority of the time people misidentify other sounds as bb noise, because lots of things, including some non obvious ones, will clock to the pedal stroke, as it's really the biggest weight transfer while riding. Common culprits are:
Pedals
Saddle clamp, saddle, seatpost clamp
Rear QR
Chainring bolts
Gremlins
Most bikes do not produce bb noise. The most common actual problems with bbs are improper bearing preload/crank bolt torque and poor tolerances on press fit bbs.
Pedals
Saddle clamp, saddle, seatpost clamp
Rear QR
Chainring bolts
Gremlins
Most bikes do not produce bb noise. The most common actual problems with bbs are improper bearing preload/crank bolt torque and poor tolerances on press fit bbs.
10-22-17 | 06:11 AM
#6
Mechanic/Tourist
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,522
Likes: 12
From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.
It's not possible to specify an exact order. Further, although it may have been the case for you, having a click go away after changing pedals does not mean the pedals themselves were to blame. Finally, there are multiple other reasons tied to the bottom bracket itself and varying by BB design, as well as stem/handlebars.
Last edited by cny-bikeman; 10-22-17 at 06:14 AM.
10-22-17 | 04:04 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Bikes: motobecane outcast 29er singlespeed and nashbar singlespeed road bike
You are incorrect that things are OK if there is no play. The most common problem by far is the bolts that secure the crank arms to the spindle being insufficiently tight, and that can show up any time. Here's a page from Sheldon Brown on diagnosing noises: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html and some results from bikeforum (Google does a better job of searching threads than the BF tool) https://www.google.com/search?q=bott...w=1440&bih=760
also for more information it is a single speed road bike so there really is not as much involved with it.
have probably put 30 to 40 miles on it by now and at least it's not getting worse.
will check the bolts again.
