Genesis Croix De Fer - clicking cranks / BB / bearing?

[Stef 1]

Hi - fairly new to bike mechanics but have an issue so looking for some advice on where to start please.

I have a 2014 Genesis Croix De Fer. Owned less than year, covered a little over 1000 miles so far.
I keep tweaking dereaileur, cable tensions etc every now and then to keep gears running super smooth, no problem there, but have a really frustrating clicking noise coming from crank / bottom bracket area.
I'm confident it's not the gears or chain, but would really like to pin-point the problem and get it sorted.

For the first half mile of every ride the bike is fine and silent as can be, but then after a little while, on the down peddle, predominantly on the right side, there's a rather loud click. I guess 'round-a-bout when the peddle is in the 2 o-clock position. It's got to be under a bit of a load and the noise isn't evident at all when crank is turned by hand. As things warm up the amount of load / force needed to make the click becomes less and less and the click doesn't go away throughout the ride. The noise is a fairly substantial click followed by a few quieter 'tinkly' clicks.

I guess it could be any number of things, but where should I start looking?
Would it be likely that it's the bearings? Or the bottom bracket itself?

I love my bike, and would love to get this sorted out.
Any hints / tips where to investigate or look would be hugely appreciated.
What would be your first course of action?

Many thanks
Stef

 

[Globalti]

Firstly, are you sure it's not the end of the front derailleur cable catching your shoe or the crank? Sounds crazy but it happens.

Is there any sensation of movement with the click?

What kind of pedals do you have?

 

[Stef 1]

Hi, many thanks for your reply.

I'll double, double check on the way home tonight, but pretty positive my shoe isn't catching on anything that tallys with the noise. Occasionally a little bit of heel strike on chain stay but nothing that matches the click on every turn of pedals.
My pedals are Shimano dual SPD (SPD one side, flat the other). I don't clip-in on my commute. Can't remember model number / name. Same 'click' where I'm clipped in or on the flat side.

No sensation of movement, and it's a purely audible click as in I can't feel anything through my feet.

Thanks again.
Stef

p.s. The loose end of the derailleur cable did cross my mind a little while ago, but already trained it well out of the way.

 

[Mobytek]

What BB fitting do you have - Press fit or threaded? If threaded, problem with the frame; if press fit then it probs just needs repressing to fit it flush.

 

[lpretro1]

Try removing the stem bolts holding the bars. Clean them , grease them refit & torque

 

[Globalti]

Also get a big hex key and tighten the bolt that holds the saddle clamp shut.

 

[martint235]

Are you always seated when there's a click? Could be the saddle particularly as it's predominantly one side.

Other than that, if you have a Hollowtech II style of BB (Shimano), take it off and grease the threads and put it back in. Lightly grease the inside of the left hand crank arm while it's off the bike. Take the chain ring bolts off and grease both the thread and the surface area that contacts the chain rings. Grease the pedal threads.

One of those fixed the clicking on my Ti bike. Now I have a rattling noise to find......

 

[Stef 1]

Hi there

Thanks for all you suggestions and help.

Yep, it's the threaded Shimano Hollowtech II BB. Thinking of getting myself one of those tools to take it apart, check the insides and re-grease.

I\'ll also check all bolts around bars, saddle clamps etc.

You've all given me a lot to think about and check,. If I order a few tools today I should be able to check over everything tomorrow.
Will report back afterwards.

Thanks again all!

 

[martint235]

Hi there

Thanks for all you suggestions and help.

Yep, it's the threaded Shimano Hollowtech II BB. Thinking of getting myself one of those tools to take it apart, check the insides and re-grease.

I\'ll also check all bolts around bars, saddle clamps etc.

You've all given me a lot to think about and check,. If I order a few tools today I should be able to check over everything tomorrow.
Will report back afterwards.

Thanks again all!

Most Hollowtechs are sealed units so all you can really do is grease the threads on the cups. I did see a video on YouTube of a guy taking one apart but I think his was a more expensive version of mine cos when I tried it, it ended badly. Very badly!

 

[Stef 1]

Most Hollowtechs are sealed units so all you can really do is grease the threads on the cups. I did see a video on YouTube of a guy taking one apart but I think his was a more expensive version of mine cos when I tried it, it ended badly. Very badly!

lol - yep, I can imagine that'd probably happen to me. All I was planning was to take out the cups, check, regrease etc... as I'm going to trouble of taking off the cranks etc, for the sake of £12 I might replace 'em anyways...

Cheers
Stef

 

[Stef 1]

So, I think a quick update is in order....

Took the plunge and ordered new Shimano hollowtech bottom bearing and associated tool not knowing if that was going to be the issue or not.

Part arrived last Friday but only got around to having a look today. Removed cranks, bb cups and inner collar / sheath.

Bit gritty and grubby in there. Bearing in left cup okay, but bearing in right cup felt a bit coarse and gritty.

Cleaned everything up, greased everything, pooped in the new hollowtech bb and re-attached everything... No torque wrench so everything just a good solid hand tight.

Went out for a v. quick 5 miles as sun was setting. Now a very happy boy. So far bike feels ( and sounds ) as good as it was when new a year ago!

To be honest I was expecting a bit of faff hunting the noise down and didn't expect anything as straightfoward. Happy days!

Thanks for all your help and suggestions folks!