MattinVA

I have searched the forum and haven't yet found this exact problem. Here goes:

When I am pedaling out of the saddle (and only out of the saddle) I hear a clicking sound (sometimes two like a quick click-click). This only happens when my left foot is about 2/3 between 12:00 and 6:00 on the downstroke. It also only happens when I shift the bike back to the right as I am pushing my left foot down.

I'm pretty sure it has gotten worse over the past week or two. I have taken off and regreased just about everything, but haven't touched the bottom bracket. I also just replaced my standard crank with a compact, but that would have happened even without the clicking as I was planning on the switch before the noise started.

I am at my wits end and can't for the life of me figure out what it is...any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

MattinVA

auchencrow

Are you sure your crank is torqued adequately to the bb spindle?

MattinVA

Just had the new crank put on today. Haven't checked with a torque wrench (don't have one) but took it to LBS that usually does a good job.

I am able to replicate a somewhat similar sound if I stop pedaling when standing up on the bike and throwing the bike to the right if I just finished pedaling. The worst sound is still when pedaling as described earlier.

Frame is carbon front end, alumminum rear. This sounds crazy, but the clicking sounds carbon-y.

I'm doing a big ride in 10 days with A LOT of climbing and so will be out of the saddle a lot....HELP!

MattinVA

Decided I'm going to get the BB replaced tomorrow. That seems to be the only "fatal" thing left. Any other creaks/squeaks/clicks would not be show stoppers.

fatslowbiker

I have this exact same problem and haven't figured it out yet. Only happens when I stand. I was actually at the beach this past weekend and didn't stand at all (=no clicking). For the next day, I had no clicking even when standing. Alas, the dreaded clicking is returning (again, only when standing/climbing). I've done "tests" and it's not the pedals or shoes. Please let me know how the BB replacement goes.

MattinVA

Will do fatslowbiker...though I doubt you're that fat or that slow.

jgeldner

Check your stays (seat stay and chain stay) for cracks...aluminum cracks make exactly that sound...clickCLICK

Sorry to bring it up, but I'd bet you find something

MattinVA

Just took a look - seems ok. How would I know if there are no visible cracks? Frame is a 2008 C-Dale System Six with under 10k miles I would be pretty pissed if it had cracks.

MattinVA

Also just replaced the cleats in my shoes...but again a long needed change that pre-dated the noise issue

MattinVA

Bump...going to bed. Help!

Jeff Wills

Creaks and clicks in the crank area are notoriously hard to diagnose and eliminate. One area is the bottom bracket threads- sometimes there's just enough room to let the cups move around, which can create a intermittent click or creak. Removing the cups and reinstalling with a little teflon plumbers tape on the threads worked for me.

Any threaded joint is a suspect. Check the chainring bolts and pedal threads for adequate grease. I once spent weeks chasing a mystery creak before finally taking off the pedals and cleaning and greasing the threads. Creak banished.

cyclezen

not saying it is, but if the crank/BB is Octalink, I just replaced 2 sets of ULtegra because both started creaking/clicking. Took both off numerous times, cleaned the axles and crank arm faces numerous times, re-greased and the noise returned after a few miles.
after some searching, apparently Octalink is notorious for developing noise.
Took one off and put on an new External BB Ultegra crank, 2 + weeks later and some serious climbing miles, and no creaks or clicks.
the other bike has the octalink off, and will have a new crank on in a few days.
...just sayin...

auchencrow

Replacing the bb will assure that the LBS will retorque the crank. (Expensive way to do it)

Another possibility is a problem with the pedal quill. Try a different pedal if you have not already done so,

Northwestrider

Its not clear to me that you have checked your pedals yet? tighten them or temporarily replace them with another set to see if there is a change.

ultraman6970

Front and rear quick release, FD clamp, saddle clamp, seatpost needs grease. Whatever

MattinVA

Have tightened and regreased pedals that doesn't seem to be the issue. Will have LBS switch out and test (I have no spare pedals).

MattinVA

Ultraman - have done all that to no avail. Even checked bottle cages and greased those screws.

ultraman6970

seriously ok? have you taken and serviced the bearings in the right pedal? Got a similar clic sound like yours, had to repack the pedal and the sucker was gone.

JohnDThompson 

Shoelace hitting the chainstay?

robert schlatte

I apologize if I am hijacking but since we're on the subject I have similar problem I cannot figure out. Occassionally when I bear down on the pedals, I hear a fairly loud click almost like teeth and chain are not interfacing correctly. I have done everything suggested here but no success.

merlin55

had the same problem, checked the BB, the pedals, the saddle, even the hubs. and ....the bars and stem.....it was the headset bearings....I swear the sound came from the BB area. I just cleaned and regreased the Aheadset bearings and the problem was solved

MattinVA

merlin55 you are the winner...it was the headset. LBS did a good job - didn't replace anything just cleaned, regreased, tightened, and retorqued the BB (still creaking) then the headset (no more creaking). Front end incl. stem and bars is carbon...which explained the sound sounding like clicking and creaking carbon.

Thanks to everyone for their input. Glad I didn't drop a bunch more money on this. Now it's time for the Diabolical Double!

trek330

Very suspenseful thread!The butler did it!