Clicking - thoughts?

[Kell]

My bike has developed an annoying click.

99% certain it's drivetrain related and most likely chainring, crankarms or pedals.

each pedal stroke, around the 12 o'clock on the pedal stroke there's a noticeable creak/click.

It's sounds like the chainring bolts aren't tight. But they are. Checked them last week. Then took apart the whole drivetrain. Cleaned the sprockets, chain, chainring, chainpusher.

Reassembled it all and gave it a test ride. Click was gone. But immediately on my commute, it's back.

I did wonder maybe it's not the drivetrain. Maybe it's the way I pedal causing the bike to flex in a certain way at that part of the pedal stroke and the noise is actually coming from a hinge.

I'm thinking the only other thing to check is the BB.

Have I missed anything obvious? It's just very annoying.

 

[rafiki]

Yes, BB should be checked. I had to chase a click recently. Took me days of try-something, check-the-next day's ride and so on. Turned out that the bolt through my suspension spring was dry and a dob of grease smeared along it solved the problem immediately! Yes, I was convinced it was the drive-train too.

 

[Threevok]

Does it happen (at the same rate/consistancy) in lower and higher gears ?

 

[T4tomo]

Could also be the saddle or its associated fittings

 

[Kell]

Does it happen (at the same rate/consistancy) in lower and higher gears ?

Yeah - doesn't matter which gear I'm in or speed i'm travelling. It's always on the same part of the pedal stroke.

Could also be the saddle or its associated fittings

I forgot to mention - also happens when I'm out the saddle pedaling, so I've ruled that out.

 

[berlinonaut]

possible solution: Take off the pedals and remount them with a bit of grease.

 

[T4tomo]

I forgot to mention - also happens when I'm out the saddle pedaling, so I've ruled that out.

your knee joint?

 

[ianrauk]

Have you checked the front derailleur cable is not hitting the crank arm?

 

[berlinonaut]

Have you checked the front derailleur cable is not hitting the crank arm?

On a 2-speed Brompton? Pretty exotic if this was the solution as there is no front derailleur.

 

[Threevok]

Yeah - doesn't matter which gear I'm in or speed i'm travelling. It's always on the same part of the pedal stroke.

I forgot to mention - also happens when I'm out the saddle pedaling, so I've ruled that out.

In the absence of a front mech, that does indeed sound like the BB needs replacing

 

[ianrauk]

On a 2-speed Brompton? Pretty exotic if this was the solution as there is no front derailleur.

Well how about next time mention that it is indeed a Brompton

 

[Dadam]

I've had something similar on a different bike and turned out it was my shoe clipping the crank on every rotation as it was too far inboard on the pedal.

 

[berlinonaut]

Then took apart the whole drivetrain. Cleaned the sprockets, chain, chainring, chainpusher.(...)
I'm thinking the only other thing to check is the BB.
Have I missed anything obvious? It's just very annoying.

In case you did not remove the cranks: A somewhat loose crank could also be the issue.

 

[Kell]

In case you did not remove the cranks: A somewhat loose crank could also be the issue.

I noticed the drive side one was a little loose.

Retightened it and I thought that I had solved the problem.

When I next get time to remove the BB, I'll make sure I give them an extra twist.

 

[berty bassett]

Shoelace ?