Clicking from crank area... I think.
Clicking from crank area... I think.
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Discussion

Pulse

Original Poster:

10,922 posts

247 months

Thursday 28th June 2012
quotequote all
I've done a bit of reading up, but figured I'd get some expert opinions!

When pressing on, I'm getting a clicking noise from what appears to be the crank area. Having read elsewhere, a clicking noise can really be anything, despite where you think it may be coming from.

I personally think it may be the rubbish pedals. They look and feel cheap, so guessing they are cheap. Here's a pic. Can anyone confirm?


DSC00240 by IK-Photo, on Flickr

If the pedals are rubbish, can anyone recommend some decent, but cheap new ones?

essayer

10,410 posts

223 months

Thursday 28th June 2012
quotequote all
I would bet it's the pedals.. if you put all your weight on them with the bike stopped can you make them click?
Maybe try an overhaul and regrease/retighten them, if they disassemble?

SlimJ

401 posts

258 months

Thursday 28th June 2012
quotequote all
Pedals probably. Changed mine to SPDs on my Boardman Hybrid and the clicking went (when I applied pressure), now they have bedded in, they have started clicking every now and then.

metalsteve

367 posts

270 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
Probably the pedals but also worth checking your cranks and BB are nice and tight/greased.

You cant go wrong with a set of DMR V8 pedals if you like flats.

Raoul Duke

938 posts

192 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
Its usually either the pedals or the bottom bracket and that looks far too new for it to be the bottom bracket already - assuming it was put together properly when you purchased it.
If you can feel lateral movement in the cranks then the BB is the likely suspect - but based upon the condition / age of the bike and what look like fairly cheap pedals, they are the more likely problem.

Gren

2,030 posts

281 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
metalsteve said:
Probably the pedals but also worth checking your cranks and BB are nice and tight/greased.

You cant go wrong with a set of DMR V8 pedals if you like flats.
You can. My V8s lasted weeks before the bearings went on them. Same clicking sounds as your getting now. If you like the V8 looks get some V12s or replicas - sealed bearings mean they last longer without maintenance.

Can you feel the clicking through one foot? Sure sign of a pedal bearing versus a bottom bracket one.

Bacon Is Proof

5,740 posts

260 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
My DMR V8s are 12 years old.
They're so old they don't even have the grease port on the pedal body.
Having said that they are well and truly shagged, but that's still good going (they have been regularly serviced).

Pulse; even if it isn't the pedals, the ones you have are rubbish so you might as well get some new ones which might solve the problem.

You should be able to pick up some V8s or similar for £20-25.
I've only slipped off mine once in 12 years, but I certainly remember it and my left shin has two little scars to remind me.

MadDad

3,835 posts

290 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
As a quick test try taking the pedals off and greasing the threads, I had the clicking you describe on my road bike and it turned out the pedals had been fitted dry. Tiny bit of grease on the threads and hey-presto no more clicking.

As for pedals, I have V8's on my Trance and NC-17 Sud-Pins on my Blue Pig, £60 difference in cost, no noticable difference in performance!

Have a look at superstar pedals, they seem to have a lot of good reviews for their cost.....

Bacon Is Proof

5,740 posts

260 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
Gren said:
If you like the V8 looks get some V12s or replicas - sealed bearings mean they last longer without maintenance.
I seem to remember reading that the V12s use a sealed bearing one side and a bush the other, and whilst the bearing can last a while (although not as long as regularly maintained open bearings, I'd wager) the bush can wear out prematurely.
Dunno how much truth is in that though.

One thing to consider when buying pedals is footwear; some shoes will work better with some pedals.
I like the combination of V8s with Vans skate shoes with the original waffle sole.

MadDad

3,835 posts

290 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
Bacon Is Proof said:
One thing to consider when buying pedals is footwear; some shoes will work better with some pedals.
I like the combination of V8s with Vans skate shoes with the original waffle sole.
+1

I used to use hiking boots with grippy soles, due to the lack of surface area in contact with the face of the pedal they were a nightmare, I have some nice scars on my shins to prove it! Invested in a pair of Five-Ten Karver's and I rarely loose my footing on the pedals, not quite as good as clipless but very grippy all the same!

VinceFox

20,566 posts

201 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
If you grab the crank arm and push it down hard, this should eliminate either the pedal or crank arm. If it's a proper hard metal tick id be inclined to say it's a very slightly loose crank arm.

SammyW

733 posts

249 months

Friday 29th June 2012
quotequote all
Bacon Is Proof said:
My DMR V8s are 12 years old.
They're so old they don't even have the grease port on the pedal body.
Having said that they are well and truly shagged, but that's still good going (they have been regularly serviced).

Pulse; even if it isn't the pedals, the ones you have are rubbish so you might as well get some new ones which might solve the problem.

You should be able to pick up some V8s or similar for £20-25.
I've only slipped off mine once in 12 years, but I certainly remember it and my left shin has two little scars to remind me.
Had mine a similar length of time (although sat in a shed for a few years in the middle) and they're still going strong. Bearings are a little loose, but i can't remember ever doing any maintenance on them. I'd happily get another pair when they finally bite the dust.

Bacon Is Proof

5,740 posts

260 months

Saturday 30th June 2012
quotequote all
To be perfectly honest, mine were a little pampered.
I had the fortune to work in precision engineering for ten years and so my pedals were stripped, degreased, ultrasonically cleaned and then repacked with top quality grease.
They are still usable, just a little loose.

Now my Onza clipless, they're [i]really[i/] old!

RonJohnson

341 posts

200 months

Saturday 30th June 2012
quotequote all
OP - It's probably your ankles.

Matt London

815 posts

197 months

Saturday 30th June 2012
quotequote all
Check the chainring bolts are not loose.

Pulse

Original Poster:

10,922 posts

247 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Turns out it's not the pedals... It's the rear brake!

Not sure why it's clicking, but it clicks more when I've used it, and when I press it down, the noise goes away.

Any ideas what that could be? It's brand new, so no idea if I've been sold a duffer or it's something simple.

CoolC

4,500 posts

243 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Is it a once per revolution of the wheel click?

Could be something silly like a piece of grit in one of the vents in the disc.

Jimbo.

4,219 posts

218 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Pulse said:
Turns out it's not the pedals... It's the rear brake!

Not sure why it's clicking, but it clicks more when I've used it, and when I press it down, the noise goes away.

Any ideas what that could be? It's brand new, so no idea if I've been sold a duffer or it's something simple.
By "push it down", do you mean apply the rear brake, or press down on the caliper?

Pulse

Original Poster:

10,922 posts

247 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
CoolC said:
Is it a once per revolution of the wheel click?

Could be something silly like a piece of grit in one of the vents in the disc.
Nope, it's random.

Pulse

Original Poster:

10,922 posts

247 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Jimbo. said:
By "push it down", do you mean apply the rear brake, or press down on the caliper?
Yes, sorry... Apply the rear brake.