lemondzurich

I just put together my new Motobecane Messenger and noticed a clicking noise that seems to be coming from the bottom bracket. I get about 3 clicks and 1 clack per revolution. It doesn't happen when I just pedal freely, only when I'm pushing with some force. It could be coming from the freewheel as well... I'll probably flip the wheel tomorrow to see if I notice it when riding fixed. Any suggestions as to what I could do to further diagnose or fix it? I guess it's possible it might be coming from the pedals as well. Also, I don't have a bottom bracket puller or anything like that... maybe I need one?

zelah

check your chainring bolts, that can do it

i had a clicking for awhile but it turns out it was the plastic part of my shoe lace smacking the bike

MeMyth

I have the exact same problem with my bike cant figure out what the heck is wrong...

roughrider504

https://sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html

In my experience, grease is a miracle substance.

Mtbnomore

Also, make sure the rear wheel isn't pulling the chain too tight.

tamagawa

Clicks and creaks are often the result of a loose pedal. Try tightening them and see what happens.

operator

Darn beaten!

lol.

Ratwings

i have this problem only riding freewheel, so, I assume you are riding freewheel. Your chain taps your freewheel cog. Thats what my problem was. What kind of chain do you use? I have the problem with the KMC KOOL chain. I also have the problem with the other KMC chain that is shaped like a KOOL chain... lol.

What kind of cog do you have? if you look at the cog after a few hundred miles, your chain will have scored it. There will be little marks from the chain. If not, then maybe it is something else. I thought it was fro my bottom bracket, but the sound is farther back. If it IS your bottom bracket, like someone else said, tighten the chainring bolts.

jodypolk

i noticed my spokes making a techno beat the other day. i think i spilled some coffee and they were sticky. drove me ****ing nuts for a half hour before i even considered it was the spokes -- it was pretty obvious that none were broken or anything.

tamagawa

Don't know why tightening a loose pedal should seem so laughable. Loose pedals often cause creaking when force is applied. This issue comes up fairly regularly on bike forums, and the culprit is often a loose pedal.

operator

You're right about this issue being fairly regular. What you're wrong about is the cause. There's no magic bullet to be had in fixing sounds, it's a process of elimination. What you usually get in a "my bike makes a noise" thread is a billion random stabs in the dark until somebody posts the sheldon link.

At which point all the noise stops and the OP goes and methodically goes through everything.

lemondzurich

Thanks for all the tips folks... I'll do some digging (now that it's dry out) and let you know what I find.

tamagawa

And you know I'm wrong about the cause because ... why?

I get your point about a "billion random stabs," but conversely, instead of telling someone to "use grease," it helps to tell them where. I'm telling you, loose pedals are a major source of annoying sounds. Takes about 5 seconds to tighten them up. Hardly an inconvenience, especially if it helps the problem go away. LOL-ing friendly -- and potentially helpful -- advice is simply rude.

lemondzurich

Well, I tightened the pedals (they weren't loose, but they weren't super tight either), flip-flopped to the fixed cog, and double checked the chain tension and the noise seems to have gone away. Unfortunately, since I did all three at once, I'm not sure what the original culprit was, but oh well, at least the noise is gone.

After flipping to fixed, I took it on a short inaugural ride up the beach into Golden Gate Park. I nearly killed myself (first fixie) when I forgot what I was riding but no harm done. Still getting used to pedaling 100% of the time. Also trying to figure out if I should bother trying to slow down with my legs or just use the brakes. Finally, I think I need a bigger cog out back. It's perfect for the flats but SF is too hilly for the stock ratio. I think I'm going to go up 2 teeth to 18. Dura-Ace lockring and cog seem to be a safe bet. Any comments?

tamagawa

Great news, lemondzurich! Enjoy the (silent) riding. Wish I could offer you tips on gear ratios, but I'm not a fixie rider -- yet. Those bikes are taking over Tokyo. Resistance is probably futile.

BLACKMARKET

having the same problem. thought it was my cranks, but it wasnt. ill try agian tomorrow

tamagawa

100% positive it's loose pedals!