New (used) Kilo TT making a loud clonking noise when pedaling only. Help please.
 

Hey guys, I recently found Kilo TT in my size on CL and decided to jump on it after seeing all the hype it gets on the board.

The bike is great, I'm very happy with it but I'm curious about one noise that it makes sometimes while pedaling. It's a clonk noise, once every half rev of the crank. If I stop cranking it stops. This bike has a freewheel installed by the previous owner and all other parts are original.

During my 40 minute ride today I heard this noise twice, both times I was able to stop it by coasting for a bit and then after I started pedaling again it would be gone.

Any idea what could be causing this? What parts should I inspect?
I read Sheldon Brown's site but I thought other Kilo owners could chime in if this is a common problem.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!:D

Check the BB?

+1.

Some freewheels will do that. I have a Shimano MX30 that does it. Really not a problem, just annoying.

What do I check for?

Should I take the crankset off and check for play in the shaft?

This should be a sealed bearing BB right? It doesn't look like this bike got much use, could the BB just have been a dud?

I was thinking it might be the freewheel as well. It's pretty loud but I don't feel any slippage or vibrations when it happens.

It is annoying but it doesn't happen that often. I was just concerned about something breaking on me and leaving me stranded or causing an accident.

I think it may be the freewheel.

also check if your chainring bolts are tight, could be a tooth skipping if one or more of the bolts are loose.

If you haven't yet, check that everything on the bike is tight and to spec, if you don't know how your LBS should be able to do it for under $25

Will do. Does the freewheel take the same tool as the BB?

No, but there's no need to tighten or remove it. Also, I seriously doubt there's any problem with your BB. At most, the crank arm bolts need tightening, but loose arms won't cause any "clonking" sounds, nor will loose chainring bolts.

The Kilo came with a sealed bearing BB? I thought it was some hack BB with open bearings. I'm feeling dumb:(

That was just a random question I've had for a while. I was thinking in case I have to remove it.

I will double check all the bolts to make sure they are tight.

My first thought was the freewheel as well. As long as it doesn't leave me stranded it will do for now.

I'll eventually install a cog and try riding fixed. If it doesn't make noise with the cog then we've figured it out.

After my friend wrecked my bike on his first ride, I started hearing a clonk/squeek coming from below.

My guess is either BB or chain/cog. I'm about to put a decent amount of tri-flo on both and see if it goes away.

Do you have too much chain tension?

Most singlespeed / bmx freewheels take a removal tool like this:

http://www.parktool.com/uploads/thum...53_430x390.jpg

How tight is your chain?

Thanks for that.

Chain felt fine, a bit of play. I will double check again tomorrow.

My bike had this exact same noise/symptom, so in an attempt to determine if it was the freewheel or not, I flipped it to the fixed side. No more noise, and I never went back to the freewheel.

that would mean it was the freewheel/cog that was the cause of the noise.

if OP is having the same issue, it could be solved as easily as just tightening everything up and making sure nothing hasnt gotten loose.

Since you mentioned every half-rev of the cranks, I'd check that the pedal spindles are properly torqued into the crank arms...