jimmytango

Tonight was a night of firsts. When I left work it was raining, and I have never ridden more than a mile in the rain. I have a 9 mile commute one way to and from work. I had the money for the train, but I figured I had to wet-ride sooner or later, so I may as well get it over with. Wasn't bad at all. Just rode a little slower and more carefully.
Now for the tech issue:

My bike has been making a weird clicking noise as I pedal (2010 SE Lager, stock except the rear tube. SS 46/17 gearing.) It has been happening more frequently and getting louder as it happened, so at about the half way point of my ride, I flipped it to the fixed side just to see if the freewheel was the source of the noise. Well, it was. I rode the remaining 4.5-5 miles home fixed with no odd noises. I will admit, i kind of like riding fixed over SS... but that's another issue.

So, what the hell is up with my freewheel? No odd noises when coasting or backpedaling, I've taken a measuring tape to the fork ends to make sure the wheel is straight in the fork ends, I've tried different tensions, and its always the same noise. Any advice?

Oh, and P.S. I can feel each click through the pedals.

Scrodzilla

It's a cheap, stock freewheel. Cheap freewheels often make unwanted noises.

youngandcurious

Solution: Ride fixed.

TheBikeRollsOn 

+1

When I first switched over to the fixed side I was like "oh hey I'll try it out for fun, whatever, I'll only do it for a week or so". Well, my freewheel hasn't been touched since then.

math is fun

I had the same EXACT issue with a bike I bought from chicabike on ebay. I emailed her and I am waiting a response about what she can do to fix it. Unfortunately this bike is my only means of transportation right now so wish me luck on my first ride on a fixie.

ianjk

Solution: Toss the crappy freewheel in the garbage and get a better one.

mihlbach

My soloution is usually to just to ride with the noise. All cheap freewheels do this but its really not that big of a deal. The noises come and goes and I've worn out lots of cheap freewheels, but have never had one fail on me. If you don't like the noise get a better freewheel, but its not necessary. The best freewheel you can get (for a reasonable cost) is from Shimano. I don't recall ever getting clicking noises from a Shimano freewheel. ACS freewheels don't make the clicking noises either, but they tend to be asymmetrical (not perfectly round).

NinetiesKid

Expensive freewheels are known to be quite loud when coasting, so it sounds like you are going to have noise one way or another...unless you ride fixed

mihlbach

Which is why its best to just live with it. All bikes make some sort of noise.

dsh

Just to be safe: tighten your crank arm bolts.

ianjk

...but the OP is feeling the crappy freewheel at the pedals, IMO spend the couple bucks and get something better.

jimmytango

yeah I kinda dig fixed. I should clarify though; the noise didn't start until I had around 1000 miles on the bike. The coast noise doesn't bother me at all. I kind of figured it was just a crapy fw. Thanks.

CharneK

I would bet its the ****ey freewheel. But as another just in case suggestion, make sure your pedals are tightend and greases, your chainring bolts are tight, and your crankarms are tight (:

jimmytango

ok, now im having another issue: i went to skid stop tonight and my cranks rotated about 1/8th revolution backwards while my tire didnt skid at all. at that point i just hit the brake and stopped as normal, went to the sidewalk and tried to get it to do it again to no avail. then, about 3 blocks later, i was pulling out from a stoplight, mashing hard to get some speed up, and it slipped forward. lockring slipping? im taking it to a shop in the morning, but id like to have an idea of whats wrong before i go.

yokotas13

lockring is loose