Clicking in Crank: Help!
 

I'm riding about 80-100 miles/week on a 3 month old Giant OCR3. I couldn't be happier with the bike, but a (hopefully) small problem has developed.

There is a persistent clicking/creaking noise when I pedal. It sounds like it's coming from inside the hub (sorry if my terminology is off) itself, but I can't be sure. It sounds unhealthy.

The sound was intermittent at first but is now present on just about every revolution of the pedals.

What is up? Is there dirt or grit up in there? WHat is the best way for someone without a lot of repair knowledge to investigate the cause of the noise?

Thanks in advance!

If this is only 3 months old, have the shop where you bought the bike inspect it. They should do it for free since it is a new bike.

Several possibilities.
1. Bottom bracket flexing inside the frame
2. Crank bolts loose and flexing where it meets the bottom bracket.
3. Pedal or cleats coming loose or in need of lubrication
4. Seat post or seat needs lubrication.

I'm sure others will chime in with other possibilities

I was having the same problem with my brank new cranks, and I found that the cranks had a bit of play in them, even with the bolts cranked down tight. I took the bolts off, put in the self-extracting bolts that came with them, and torqued it down, no more clicking.

BTW, it was not really an audible click, just sort of a vibration felt in the driveside crankarm.

That creaking is more of an annoyance than an indication of anything major. But by all means, take the bike back to the shop for your complimentary service since it's only three months old. There are probably a few other things that need to be tightened and/or adjusted at this point.

With that said: learning to service your own cranks and bottom brackets (as well as most other routine maintenance) is the only sure fire cure for those who can't stand our bikes complaining more than we do when we're humping it up the hills. Besides, you'd be surprised at how many shops woun't be able to totally relieve the condition and will simply tell you that it's no big deal. But once you have the knowlege... Ha! you won't have to depend on incompetents.

So if you're anal like me - and I'm afraid experiencing irritation from the offending creak is a major sympton - spend a couple bucks on some tools and tear into it. There are a host of sources on the internet (like this very forum) and in books and mags to help you get your feet wet.

All the best. DanO

Since you are within warranty period, take it to the shop and make sure they torque check the crank arms. Check it all in the order Syd said, then invst in tools. A Torque Wrench can be had at Sears for 30-40 bucks and is very important in several oprations such as cranks.
Creaks in most cases are early warning signs to the alert. A creaking crank is because the mounting interface is wearing on the spindle and will eventually clearance itself out. There are only a few creaks that are in the 'tolerable' category, even them I personally do not tolerate.

Thanks for the advice. I took it into the shop and they said due to all our wet weather my bottom bracket needed to be re-greased. They also re-greased the seat post and tightened the pedals.

However, now that the infernal craking is gone, I notice that there is one coming from the front post! Damn! Time to learn to do this myself, as has been suggested.

Thanks again.