french.ace

I realize this subject has been hashed over again and again, but I just cannot resolve this persistent ticking noise from the bb/crank area.

I just installed a completely new drivetrain: DA bb with an Ultegra triple crankset, ultegra cassette, new SRAM chain, old derailleur. On the first ride, the front drivetrain started making a ticking noise. After alot of investigating, trying to isolate the source of the tick, this is what I came up with:

I doesn't matter if I'm on the bike or not. I found that best way to hear it was having the bike upside down and turning the cranks. Once per revolution of the crank, there is a distinct tick when the driveside crank arm is in the 6 o'clock position. I don't have to put very much pressure on the cranks, just turning them lightly until I get the thing up to speed is enough. I seem to be able to get a clearer tick in the large and middle rings when they are turning moderately fast. It doesn't happen if they're turning slow

I've pulled the bb out and tried the plumbers tape around the threads, greased all the threads, torqued the cups down properly, torqued the crank onto the bb properly, and checked all the chainring bolts. Everything is tight. I've even checked to make sure it wasn't something as stupid as something protruding and hitting the crank on it's way past.

After all that: I know these noises can come from anywhere on a bike, but I just can't help suspecting the bb (but it's new?!?), epsecially since it occurs consistently and reguarly at that crank position.

Does anybody have any ideas, or should I just give in and take it down to the lbs?

lupson

make sure you dont have a stiff link on your chain

bkrownd

So many people have this problem (including me) it should be a sticky in mechanics. I need to put a bit of drive pressure on my pedals for mine to click, though.

Sloth

This probably isn't it, but it's easy to check and drove me nuts for a little while. Check to make sure the end of your front derailleur cable isn't hitting the crank.

Yah, stupid, I know...

operator

Swap out your pedals.

bkrownd

Actually, mine was a double-tick for the first few weeks before I bent that pesky bit of spare cable out of the way. One down, one to go.

CdCf

Turn the crank without turning the pedal and see if that helps.

orguasch

Rob,
what do you mean swap up the pedal, you cannot swap the pedal the left and the right pedal has different threads, unless you mean buy a new pedal.
oscar

french.ace

Thanks for all the suggestions. For what it's worth, it's not the pedals as I can turn the crank without the pedal and it still makes the noise. I've also checked for the protruding derailleur cable. Alas, I think I'm doomed to either live with it or just take it down to the lbs (and even then they may not find anything)...

willett

new b.b fool, your berrings are dead

ivan_yulaev

Sounds like bb bearings, that's a place to start. Do you have an old BB by any chance?

king koeller

you have a bottom bracket bearing race or spindal that is not perfectly ground.I'm assuming that your bearings are free and not in cages,
take a micrometer and check to see if all the bearing are with-in .001'' of each other.
A bearing that is too big will not allow the BB to be perfectly adjusted. Just for grins...
check to see that the cranks arms are not cracked where they meet the square taper spindle.Many people over torque the outer spindle bolts(14mm) and crack the crank arm.Also ,never lube the square taper spindle mount for the crank.
Try the plumbers tape on all races. left and right. and also the lock-ring.
I know i would just get a better BB.like a campy.

french.ace

Just an update for those that are interested: I swapped the new bb out with the old 105 bb I had (that was just fine), and the noise is still there. After sitting down with the thing, I noticed that the shifting ramps on the back of the middle ring are making contact with the chain as it comes around. (I'm assuming it's a shifting ramp. They are four little nubs of metal on the back with a ramped edge). I tried to google this and I found someone with the exact same problem:

"I have a new bike which has an Ultegra Triple crankset which clicks when in the middle (42T) chainring but not the small or large rings. I noticed it when I purchased the bike and the shop made a stellar effort to make it stop but couldn't. Together we decided it had to be the many square shaped pins that assist in shifting from the 30T to the 42T...."

Has anyone heard of this? Does this sound right? Maybe a shimano chain would work better?

Anyways, at least I've found the noise and thought I'd share my findings.