Clicking sound while pedaling
 

Hi all, I got this clicking sound that drives me batty. Every pedal stroke with a load produces a clicking sound. No sound when freewheeling, or when spinning in really low gear slower than bike's movement. I have replaced the pedals, overhauled the rear hub, replicated it pedalling standing up. There doesn't seem to be any play on the bottom bracket. Chainring bolts and crankarm bolts are tight. No play noticed on the freehub or cassette. It doesn't seem to be the chain hitting the front derailer cage cause it happens on all gears as long as there is a load on the pedalling. Rims are true and properly centered on the frame, with adequate space on the chainstay and tire. There was no change in hardware or work done that seem to have induced the clicking. The weird thing was, the clicking disappeared momentarily after pedals where replaced, or when rear hub overhauled, or when the chain was cleaned and oiled. All those work where done at different times to isolate the issue. The bike is an refurbed 72 Schwinn Super Sport with modern components. The frame doesn't seem to have any damage, no play noticed on the bottom bracket adaptor or the UN54 BB. Bolts seem tight on the rear derailer hanger, adaptor claw and pulleys. The cranks, F/R derailers are modern Alivio's, KMC 8 speed chain, SRAM 8 speed cluster, shifted by Ultegra bar-ends. My next step might be to swap chains, but that might screw the wear pattern on the cogs. And I'd rather not have to by a new BB if it turns out its not that. Any other spots that I might be missing?

Leo

I had an odd clicking a while back that turned out to be the water bottle shaking in it's cage a little. Every pedal stroke was just enough of a shake to cause a very slight plasticky click from it.

I just found/fixed the same annoying problem. For me, it was the metal cages on the cheap platform pedals that I have. The screws holding the cage were loose and it was moving ever so slightly.

Hth!

I have the same issue with my single speed. Only when I pedal under load do I hear a rhythmic clicking sound. I took it to my LBS and they just shrugged. Makes me crazy. I think I'll try replacing the chain, since it is the least expensive thing to do.

you mention a bb adapter, what type is that? That could a potential click maker.

http://sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html If none of those work get someone experienced to look at it or start substituting parts.

It could be the BB on an older bike. The BB should be reasonable for an older bike like that. The sealed BB for my 2000 Veloce was only $40.

With me it was my SPD cleats after 2500 miles. i replaced them, no more click...

Click came on after 5 months and 2500 miles and only under load. I had the bike shop service the bottom bracket, replace the chain, grease and re-tighten everything especially the headset, all the cables and the front wheel. After all that, click kept coming back. It would start after a few miles of riding and was worse when I would go to the drops. I was almost ready to sell the bike when I read here about cleat clikcing. I tightened the hell out of them but still click, click, click. I re-tightened, greased and re-adjusted the SPD pedals...no change. Tightened the bottle cages and seat...no dif. Made me nuts.

I called Shimano and the phone rep recommended cleat replacement. Did that and after 3 rides, no more clicking...

check the plastic bottom bracket cup for cracking.

My commuter bike that is ridden in snow and rain was clicking for about a year esp going up a hill. Finally after checking everything, took apart the BB and replaced it and it solved the problem. In addition I had worn the teeth down on the crank and had to replace those also. BB is a cheap replacement as long as you get the right tools.

I'm having the same issue, but don't have much to add to this conversation because I haven't found the source of my clicking sound either. Mine happens when I'm really torquing- uphills, sprinting, etc. mine sounds a lot like spokes even though they are all tensioned well and the rim is straight and true.

Dion

If the spokes were poorly tensioned enough at one time they could have flexed enough to rub at the cross, creating a burr that makes noise even with minor flexing. Take hold of the spokes just toward the outside of where they cross and flex them in and then out - see if there's resistance at one point. You may even dublicate the sound. If that's the case you can smooth out the irregularity - sometimes a little lubricant helps as well.

Thanks! I'll try that today.

This doesn't' sound like your problem but I had clicking under load that was due to the cassette locking ring not being tight enough. It wasn't loose, but it was not tight to spec.