Probably a stupid question

[Steve vRS]

I have a Giant Defy 1 and love it.

It is my first high end bike but it has an annoying tick noise from the pedal crank or bottom bracket. On each revolution when you push hard it makes the noise. There is no play at all in the bearings and it only makes the noise when there is resistance i.e. not when just spinning the drive by hand.

Is this normal or should i get it checked out. It is a press fit bottom bearing.

Thanks

Steve

[bbc]

Hi Steve,

Possibly a dry joint between your bearings and your frame, easily sorted, shouldn't be expensive.

Sheldon may also be of use:

http://sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html

Andy.

[Mr E]

I'd guess at possibly some sand/grit in a pedal thread. Take the pedals off and give them a clean?

[daz3210]

Might seem like a stupid suggestion this, but I had a ticking on my Defy 4.

Turned out that the 'tail' on the front gear mechanism cable was contacting the right side crank on each revolution, causing a ticking sound.

May be worth checking it isn't the same.

I felt pretty sill when I realised what it was.

[Steve vRS]

Wish it was that easy but it only happens under load.

Will try the pedal cleaning tomorrow.

What is the dry joint you talk of? I've no idea how to remove the bearing on this bike. On my old hybrid it was easy once I have the right bearing extract socket tool

Steve

[bbc]

Hi Steve,

When I assemble my bikes, I put grease, copperslip or similar between the bearing and the bearing housing. Over a period of time this can 'dry out' and cause a creaking/clicking from the bottom end; it may be this, and if it's a new bike there may be none or insufficient applied. Also if it's a new bike the bearing may have worked loose and might need a tighten?

I doubt its a press fit bottom bracket, possibly it's an external bearing that can be 'nipped up' with a special tool. I just read this on a Defy 1 review page: "Weaknesses-Bottom bracket came a little lose after 1,500 miles and started making a creaking noise. LBS sorted that out no problem."

This also may be of use:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/components-wrench...

Andy

[oj113]

Tighten all the bolts attaching the chainrings to the spider, they have a habit of loosening over time. Might go someway to explain why the clicking is only occurring under load.

[itsnotarace]

Check and tighten saddle/seatclamp, stem bolts, pedals as well.

[CoolC]

itsnotarace said:

Check and tighten saddle/seatclamp, stem bolts, pedals as well.

I had an under load creak I swore was coming from the stem/headset....eventually tracked it down to the seat gripper part of the seat post.

Right buggers to track down these creaks are

[HowMuchLonger]

Steve vRS said:

It is a press fit bottom bearing.

Personally I would have got a bike mechanic to fit it, not a journalist.