Clicking sound from BB area

[bikebloke]

I just had the same thing happen today. It was driving me completely nuts, and I was sure it was the BB. Then I remembered that I had this same issue previously. The culprit was dirt/grime on the seat post. (I was lazy last time I washed my bike and gave the seat post a skip). 

 

I took out the seat post, removed the clamp and cleaned them. Problem solved/no silly clicking noises any longer.

 

what HenningVR says its 90 % of the time grit in your seat tube or on your seatpost

remove clean grease replace - no more noise

[jimmycool]

I just had the same thing happen today. It was driving me completely nuts, and I was sure it was the BB. Then I remembered that I had this same issue previously. The culprit was dirt/grime on the seat post. (I was lazy last time I washed my bike and gave the seat post a skip).

 

I took out the seat post, removed the clamp and cleaned them. Problem solved/no silly clicking noises any longer.

100% this. I get it from time to time on both mtb and road bike. The easiest diagnosis is if the click stops when you stand and pedal.

[henningvr]

"...easiest diagnosis is if the click stops when you stand and pedal." - Exactly. I forgot to mention this, thanks Jimmy.

[Traverse]

I had the same problem with my Anthem, it was the bushes for the maestro system. After replacing them no sound, do you have a dually?

[jimmycool]

"...easiest diagnosis is if the click stops when you stand and pedal." - Exactly. I forgot to mention this, thanks Jimmy.

Sure thing. Mine was once so loud that people would turn to see what was coming when I was still about 25 metres away. I was convinced that my bb was completely poked and then I thought it was my wheel going wonky and all the spokes creaking and clicking. Turns out I just removed the seat, wiped the post and inside the seat tube, applied some lube and voila, no more noises!

[jimmycool]

Oh yes, I have a hardtail mtb so it does eliminate a lot of options for noises.

[henningvr]

Same here, hardtail.

[Ampandy]

Don't forget to lube the threads on the pedals when putting back on.

[GrahamS2]

I just had the same thing happen today. It was driving me completely nuts, and I was sure it was the BB. Then I remembered that I had this same issue previously. The culprit was dirt/grime on the seat post. (I was lazy last time I washed my bike and gave the seat post a skip). 

 

I took out the seat post, removed the clamp and cleaned them. Problem solved/no silly clicking noises any longer.

Easy to check - does it click when you pedal out of the saddle? I really battle with grit in my seatpost on my Pyga. Need to clean it every second ride.

[Martin PJ]

Noise could be anything. Start with the quick and easy things, then work your way up to the harder and more expensive.

 

As people say, clean and grease seat post. Remove pedals, clean and quick grease the threads. Remove BB, you can service BB, carefully pick seals off bearings (there should be loads of dirt in there), wash with paraffin and pack new grease. Light grease and put it back together. Can also check front chain ring bolts.

 

Headset can also be cleaned and lightly greased.

 

Best way to check the hubs and cassette is to borrow a wheel set from a mate and ride a bit with that. It is quite cheap to remove the cassette, clean and re-grease. Servicing rear hubs is more difficult, but also quite cheap if you know what to do.

 

Bearings can be cheap to replace, if you can get them out without doing damage (youtube it). The can be as little as R20 per bearing.

 

I once had a very annoying creak, eventually it turned out that my rear axle had a crack in it and only when it broke did I solve the problem. Hence using someone else's wheels will help you narrow down the problem.

[DubbelBuys]

Is it a pressfit BB?