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Something clicks while pedaling

Bicycles Asked on July 19, 2021

My road bike with square taper Chorus crankset has developed a click when pedaling. The click happens always in the same pedal position, right crank forward, on both chainrings. Since the noise started, I have reinstalled the cranks, tightened chainring bolts, and replaced the seatpost, pedals and wheels.

The bottom bracket rotates smoothly when cranks are not installed or without chain. The click only occurs when pedaling with force, and happens when standing up so it very probably is not the saddle or seat post.

The most mysterious part is that the click goes away in rain or even humid weather. Any ideas?

EDIT: Since this got a “popular question” badge and duplicate, situation update: Since I posted the question, I have switched pedals a couple of times and replaced the chainrings. The click remains the same.

8 Answers

In the end it turned out that it was bottom bracket bearings. It seems that last generation of high end square taper Campagnolo had small bearings that were notorious for this. It was not the cups with threads, because I could find only a BB cartridge for different standard and reused the old cups.

The strange thing is that when uninstalled, the bearings feel completely smooth.

Correct answer by ojs on July 19, 2021

I don't know if this helps but I had a similar problem I tapped the crank arm in dear I say it a block of wood with a hammer (one sharp blow). In my opinion the arm wasn't seated properly.

Answered by Spud Dowling on July 19, 2021

A few things to do to isolate the problem to the bottom bracket:

  • Make sure you also hear the noise when standing up (Yes, I know you replaced the seatpost, but it might be the seat. Maybe.)
  • When you pedal hard, you also exert more force on the handlebar. Try yanking the handlebar every which way while stopped. See if you hear anything.
  • A while back I had a frame with a crack in it, and I'd hear a creaking sound when pedaling hard, always from the same pedal position. But, a clicking sound like you're describing probably wouldn't come from a frame fracture.

Bottom brackets (especially cartridge units) can make strange sounds when they're starting to wear out (even if they feel fine). That's what my money's on.

Answered by BSO rider on July 19, 2021

OJS: I like your spunk. I made sure to read your post twice so I didn't ask questions you already answered. That said, what is the make/model/year of your bike. Whether it is alloy or carbon, cartridge or press-fit and its age makes a difference.

OK, You describe it as a click, not a creak nor a sensation of popping. There appears to be no feeling of a pop in the pedal stroke from what you say. It happens near maximum torque on the drivetrain. I have a couple of ideas.

Pedals 1) You mentioned that it goes away in the rain. I love riding in the rain, and there is one thing that will kill a pedal quickly, is rain. You also mentioned that the noise goes away in the rain. Perhaps there is water intrusion into the pedal spindle/bearing and it has caused some displacement and degradation of the grease. Rain comes, and it acts as a lubricant for a short time, getting rid of your creak. If you have another known good set of pedals, swap them out. If you don't, spray a little WD-40 into the spindle area and see what happens. You can regrease most pedals, some are easier than others. My money goes here.

Pedals 2) Cleats will occasionally creak against the pedal itself, and I have had one make a click/creak combo. Make sure your cleats are spotless, as are the pedals and give it a whirl. There is cleat lube, but you can rub an old candle on the cleat/pedal surface if you have one. Kinda doubt this one though.

Pedals 3) Re-reinstall the pedal, but with this time use plumber's/teflon wrap over the pedal bolt. It will act to fill any void areas, and prevents squeaking and seizing over time. Same as above on probability.

Rear Wheel) Sounds obvious, but take the rear wheel off, add the tiniest amount of lube to the dropouts, reinstall and ride. I've had what I swore were bad BB turn out to be a rear wheel grinding away at the drops during high torque.

BB1) If it is a BB, it will only increase over time. You aren't feeling any pop so it is an irritant at this point. From what has been said, I would be slightly surprised if this was the problem. Please let us know the year, make, model and BB type. That will help immensely.

Answered by user26705 on July 19, 2021

I had this problem recently, and shortly after being unable to diagnose it, started getting serious chain suck. Most likely your chainring teeth have worn down into the valleys and the click is it trying to grab the chain. Solutions: old chain, new chainrings, or if individual chainrings aren't economical, a new crankset and bb.

Answered by Ben on July 19, 2021

I had a similar problem. ONe click each time the left pedal was at the low position. CHanged bottom bracket - no luck. Lubed seat and handle bar - no luck. Thought maybe if i switch the pedals that if the noise is on the other side then it would be the pedal. Well the left pedal was so tightly on that I knew once I got it off then added a drop of oil and putting it back on nicely that it would be better and it was. Now no noise. Hope this helps

Answered by Dwayne on July 19, 2021

I had the same problem. Clicking sound when pedaling harder. But no sound when smooth riding. I tried many things but of course it's smart to isolate the problem. So i turned my bike around and removed the chain from the crank set to get rid from any other noise. The I pedalled with my hands but with force. And this revealed the clicking sound came from the pedals which where not loose at all.

THIS SOLVED MY PROBLEM: Remove the pedals. Clean the thread from the inside and the outside with a rag and screw it back in. Damn tight! And since then. Clicking sound gone.

Answered by indo bit on July 19, 2021

Clicking while pedaling or when weight is put on the peddles is almost always bottom bracket issues. Also, you cannot assume that when you take out the bottom bracket and feel it that it is ok, because your body weight stresses the bearing way more than when you hand spin it.

Answered by Tude Productions on July 19, 2021

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