Crank or bottom bracket noise?
 

Hey everyone,

I tried a search, but i just came up with an internal error. Basically my problem is I've had an Iro SS for about 6-7 months now and almost everytime I ride it, which unfortunately isn't often enough, there is a tick type noise that happens with relative frequence during the ride. Ya know, with every revolution of the cranks there is a "tick/creak". Its always done this, but i have been lazy in figuring out why?

possible reason? solution to problem?

sound like your bb is lose and need to be rethighten. need more info before i can give more help. like what kind of bb you have ?

Could also be a pedal that has an issue.......

That's what I'm thinking too. ticks sounds are like pedal noises and creak sounds sound like loose chainring bolts.

ticks
 

Ticks can be all kinds of things, and some are much easier to deal with than others so check them first.

Do you have shoelaces with hard plastic tips? Those can cause ticks once a crank revolution.

is your front derailer cable too long (I know yours isn't, you don't have one, but in general), it can snag on your cuff and tick.

You can tear your bike down and rebuild it, and still not catch some of those causes.

check out sheldon browns artical on creaks and other noises.

And, as I recently found out on a new(!) Trek - it could be a stretched chain. First off, make sure all the bolts are tight on the chainrings. Then tighten the pedals onto the cranks - tight! Then move on to the bottom-bracket if the noise/feel persists.

Thanks for the suggestions!

like any wierd noise, try a little wd-40. Also flex the pedals and cranks by hand.

WD-40 will dissolve and wash-out the grease it contacts. This is not a good idea with bottom-brackets and/or pedals. As a general lube, WD-40 only leaves behind a trace of oil after the carrier has evaporated. Bottom-brackets, pedals, hubs, etc. require a nice, thickish grease that will stay put. For bicycles it is best suited to cleaning tasks - not lubrication.

SOO many things it could be and as a fan of steel bikes I'm going to put the boot into aluminium and say that aluminium bikes are SOO much worse when it comes to clicking noises. The aluminium frame just amplifies the noise. There, I feel better already;)

Anyway something else to look at is the spoke protector on the rear wheel. I was having a similar problem with a bike. I pulled it apart and basically built another bike altogether with parts I had lying around and some from a junk yard and when I put it back together I was getting this major noise from the rear wheel when just spinning it around. It turns out the spoke protector wasn't on tight enough and was making an awfully big sound for such a tiny part until I put it on correctly.

Anthony

Sorry, I should've stated to re-grease any dissolved grease

Ok everyone I tried the tightening of the pedals and cranks, no dice still making the noise. And after riding it yesterday noticed the noise was more of a constant "crinkata crinkata crinkata" then a single tick with each revolution. Since I have a freewheel on the bike I can't tell if its making the noise when I am just coasting cause I can only hear the freewheel.

I think its just a stock IRO bottom bracket? I don't remember there being a choice when I ordered the bike and nothing is stated on my reciept about the type.


Does this help with anyones deductions? I know I have a bottom bracket wrench but I dont think i have those tong like things (not even sure if this is needed, watched a how-to video and the guy had them)

As is obvious, i dont know much about bicycle mechanicals!

I think you can also get a creak if the crank is loose on the spindle.

I once had a broken/crushed ball bearing in my BB. That could also be it.

Take it apart. Clean the parts. Inspect, relube, reassemble and properly adjust.