I've been having a problem with my Touring/Commuter that I ride daily. I first built it up this spring with a the appropriate shimano cartridge for the ultegra triple crank I had. It was the stupid splined octalink v2 spindle that I've grown to hate. Anyway, after a hundred miles or so it started to make a clicking sound.

I run spd pedals and have several pairs of shoes.

At first I thought it was the clips in the shoes so I changed them. Still clicked. Then I thought it was the pedals, so I swapped them. Still clicked. I swapped to a non clipped pedal because I thought the cleat was making the noise in the shoe.

That didnt work.

So I figured it might be the BB, so I swapped out the bb and crank to another square taper crank, 3 peice bb setup I had.

It was good for another few hundred miles.

Now it clicks again.

I've looked at the bb shell to make sure the frame isnt cracked or anything and I didnt see anything. but I guess I should take another look.

Anything else I should be looking at? I'm running out of ideas as to whats making the noise.

The only thing I can say is that the clicking does seem to get worse the more torque i put on the cranks - going up a hill or something like that.

WTH?

try some plumbers teflon tape in the BB threads. My Serotta was pretty noisy until
someone suggested that to me, been quiet ever since.

marty

let us know how you work it out, I have the exact same problem with my Raleigh One-Way and I'm about 99.9% sure its the BB.

Check the chainring bolts as well.

Grease the BB threads - Easy peasy.

I greased the threads when I installed the bb, but I can check them again.

So what you're saying is that you think the BB is moving in the shell making the noise?

Look at Sheldon's site for misc noise sources. Also do a search of the mechanics forum, as such noises are a common topic. Be sure to sort by relevance.

Ah yes, the ole "do a search". I hadnt thought of that

Are you torqued up to spec? I've only had a click (not even sure if it was a click, just a tiny notch of sorts, can't really describe it) in my square taper BB when I hadn't properly torqued the crank bolts (under-torqued).

A BB fixed cup that is not completely torqued down can cause a click. Does the sound occur when you're out of the saddle? It seems saddle squeaking or whatnot can often be the source of mystery noises.

Neal

I did think about that as well (it's an older b-17) but it still seems to happen when out of the saddle.

I'll def check the fixed cup torque.

My Schwinn hybrid has a "moaning" click after riding awhile, and I'd just chocked it up to the BB assembly flexing a little under load. I'll recheck the bearings, grease the BB threads, and re-torque the BB. Thanks for the hints!

I had this similar problem many moons ago and it drove me nuts until a shop mechanic pulled the cranks, put a bit of grease on the spindle flats and the threads for the nuts. Gone. I have never had a squeak/creak/click since I made that part of my BB overhaul ritual.

Holiday,

Does it make the noise when you stand up and pedal or only when seated or both? Which bike are we talking about, the Lotus or the Moto? And what saddle is mounted?

Shin

I had a clicking noise that was driving me crazy a while ago. It would come and go and I thought for sure it was the bottom bracket. I took it apart, repacked everything and put it back together. It seemed fine then started clicking again! I was lamenting to a friend who's into BMX bikes and he said he gets a noise sometimes when he has steel threads from pedals in an aluminum crank. I greased those and have been fine ever since. I'm guessing all the suggestions about BB threads will do the trick for you just because it stopped for about 100 miles after you changed your BB, but it never hurts to have more ideas.

thanks for all the suggestions. I'll hopefully be giving them a try later tonight as I'd like to ride the bike tomorrow. Today I took my Bianchi on my commute, which has a more aggresive, lower seating position. Did i mention that I have a bruised rib? Ouch! Every bump hurt.

The stupid clicking is while standing or sitting. It's on the Lotus. And I'm guessing I didnt torque the fixed cup down enough. I seem to have a history of doing that. Hopefully that fixes it. I'll report back later tonight.

UPDATE: Took the entire bb apart, lubed the threads in the bb shell judiciously, cleaned everything, torqued the hell out of the fixed cup, put the rest back together. didnt test ride it because I'm tired and lazy, but I'll find out on my ride to work tomorrow. And over the next few thousand miles I guess.

Just got back from an extended 25ish mile commute. It clicks , possible worse than it did before I regreased the threads and tightened the crap out of the fixed cup . I guess I'll try the teflon tape trick lotek mentioned above...

Did you properly torque the crank bolts?

+1 on the teflon tape. I had the same problem and re-greasing didn't solve it but the plumber's tape worked like a charm.

i dont have a torque wrench, but I did wrench them down as tight as possible.

I just thought of a worst-case scenario (sorry!): a cracked BB lug, perhaps?

Neal

I'm beating the torque drum again, but tight as I felt comfortable with on my crank bolts was still a full 3 turns under proper torque specs. Do you have a neighbor or friend with a torque wrench?

Conversely, over-torquing can also cause issues.

Just saying, to eliminate the easy fix possibilities.

I just thought I'd point out that about 800 miles later this bike is still clicking clicking clicking clicking. I almost forgot because I usually just sing along with it.

I checked the lug and tubes at the bb for cracks. I tightened the crank bolts. I....hate.....click click click...love my bike.

Did you try the teflon tape?

Okay, I have no ideas, but I have some questions that may lead in the general direction of diagnosis.

Can you make the noise happen when...
-- your feet are not on the pedals?
-- you're pedaling standing up?
-- you're riding no-hands?
-- coasting?
-- sitting on the bike, stopped, leaning up against something?