Whats wrong with my bike? It makes a clciky sound. Its really annoying and it sounds like something is breaking/ about to fail. I checked and re lubed the BB, thats fine now. Sound became worse when not pedalling, so i stripped and lubed the freewheel. no difference. Cleaned, lubed and replaced drivetrain/chain. No better. Wheel bearings seem fine, run free and silent when spun. Just seems to be when riding. Wheels have a slight buckle, not hitting brakes but could this put unnatural pressure on cartridge bearings when riding? I’m thinking not. Next up i’m examining the frame for breaks maybe? Its a commuter (cx bike with gueards, pannier rack and TT bars for that ultimate frnakenbike look), doing 100+ miles per week if that helps anything. I’m also a bit fat.

Does the clicking frequency increase as your speed increases or is it fairly constant ?

Seatpost? Headset?

Loose pannier or mudgaurd bolt?

Playing card in spokes?

paparazzi ?

Knees

If it’s disk brake, check your pads.

The little retainer spring can sometimes get caught on debris and bent out if the pads are worn enough for it to be close to the surface.

It will make an irritating noise like you have described and be very difficult to trace because it doesn’t appear to emanate from the disk.

I thought I had a spoke coming adrift…

hope hub?

If nothing is rubbing ie brakes or wheel against something I reckon freehub is worn .Have you different wheels you can put in even if you freewheel down the road to check ?

Rear mech cable catching spokes?

Have you fitted one of these?

Chain run correctly through rear mech?

Shoe lace? We’ve all been there. Or on one of mine the crank splines were kernackered.

It’s not a bike it’s a keyboard and you’re not outside, you’re on the internet

epicyclo – Member
If it’s disk brake, check your pads.

The little retainer spring can sometimes get caught on debris and bent out if the pads are worn enough for it to be close to the surface.

It will make an irritating noise like you have described and be very difficult to trace because it doesn’t appear to emanate from the disk.

I thought I had a spoke coming adrift…

I’ve had that.

I’ve also had the end of a cable tie that was holding on a chainstay protector rubbing my shoe as I pedalled. Drove me mad, because when I got off the bike to check what it was, it wasn’t happening. Get back on, it was back.

Block of metal inside of wheel that is used during manufacturing to hold it together whilst joining the ends worked loose?

hmm, going to try changing the wheels, I’m pretty sure its bearings as sometimes its not there (like a sticky bearing freeing up a little). Failing that,I think clicking is justification for a new bike!

Shirt zip touching camelback chest strap- don’t laugh, it can happen-

Just had similar rebuilding my bike after a trans-hemisphere trip. Turns out the cable end at the rear mech had bent inwards and was clicking against the spokes.

Easiest bike fix ever.

Shirt zip touching camelback chest strap- don’t laugh, it can happen-

🙂 one ride I thought my knees were about to explode there was a tick noise coming from each as I pedalled. Tracked it down to the inside edge of my baggie shorts hem catching on the leg grippers of my cycle shorts 😳