Bike ticks, clicks & creaks. How to find and fix them. Not always the bottom bracket!

[@TheMirrorify]

Hey dude I know this is an old video but just wanted to thank you. I was getting so bummed out with my new bike but now got rid of the click! Thanks again!

[@TheFusfusfus]

Impressive production quality for the first 45 secs, music and images blend perfectly. Kudos!

[@Niko-xt5bs]

Movie quality

[@Ashiquei]

@@Niko-xt5bs yeah i thought WT i wanted to find out about annoying creaky sound on my bike this video is about tranquility....lol. But that is exact feeling described you ride and only sound you want to hear is the nature...

[@davidshepherd197]

My checklist for when I hear clicks and creaks when riding: 1. Knees 2. Hips 3. Ankles

[@robertbalkovec4087]

Lol

[@NewmaticKe]

Knees

[@mathewcumming4637]

I can't thank you enough for this video. My bikes been creaking for over a year and couldn't figure where it was coming from. Everyone just suggested bottom bracket needed replacing. My mental sanity had returned

[@ridesofjapan]

Mathew Cumming happy to hear that mate! Noise free life for everyone 👍

[@Rustee42]

Dude I can't thank you enough! I've had an irritating click from what I thought was my bottom bracket. I went through the wheel axles and cog bolts, finishing with my pedals and hey presto! Sorted. Thanks again, man.

[@ridesofjapan]

Awesome!

[@gplama]

Looping back to this one which I hadn't seen. Another gem! Thumbs up!

[@ridesofjapan]

As usual a lot of brilliant suggestions in the comments. I'll pin a list of them here so if the areas mentioned in the video doesn't help, hopefully this will: - Saddle rail/clamp (Clean) - Stem faceplate (Clean, add new carbon paste if needed) - Cassette lock ring (Clean, re-grease, tighten to spec) - Derailleur hanger (Clean hanger/frame interface) - Jockey wheels (Clean or replace) - Cleats Bolts (Clean re-grease) - Crossed Spokes (Add bit of chainlube) - Wheel bearings (Clean or replace) - Worn chain/cassette (Replace) - Front derailleur rub (Adjust) - Headset (only mentioned in the video by caption, but clean and re-grease both bearing and frame interface) Thanks everyone! Always looking for more tips!

[@lorenzsiggel1515]

Rides of Japan, last year I switched to a Brooks C15 cambium saddle on my 1986 Miyata professional road bike and I got a chronic creak which was definitely from the saddle-seat-post connection. Cleaning and greasing did not help for more than a few km. I didn't use a micrometer but I suspect the rails may be a tad smaller in diameter....maybe? Or the seatpost was just worn after 30+ years of riding (I'm the original owner). I bought a new seatpost (removing the bargain graphics with your acetone approach👍) and problem solved. So I guess even non moving parts wear, given enough time and mileage. When it comes to a moving road bike, "silence is golden"

[@ridesofjapan]

Lorenz Siggel 30 years? Something is bound to happen during that time 😁 Hope the new one holds up that good too, although they don’t make them like they used to 😜 Happy you got it sorted mate! And double cheers if you found my video helpful 🙏

[@lorenzsiggel1515]

Rides of Japan something did happen. I got old and am creakier than my bike. Your video was definitely a help. I like your content, in particular seeing what riding in Japan is like. Taiwan and Japan are on my bucket list and I better act fast.......cheers mate!

[@bengt_axle]

I had a crown fork (steel) that creaked for several months. Finally I saw that there was a crack that went right through the crown and the fork leg (where it is brazed). This is the most unusual place for a crack to develop (and eventually cause complete failure). However, only several years later, did I come to understand that the reason is because when the fork was constructed, it must have been over heated such that the steel became too brittle or somehow weakened. Note that the brazing did not fail; it was really cracked through the lug and the fork arm as well. It was a Bianchi circa 1983. The dealer told me I must have abused the bike, and me being 16, took advantage of me. They never returned the fork and charged me for a fork replacement, even though the bike showed no signs of damage. Of course, the wheel was fine. If it happened to me today, I would send it back to the manufacturer because it is a potentially life threatening failure.

[@Spoonmeister62]

I have found wax to be effective at stopping saddle-seatpost creaks as it acts as a dry lubricant as well as taking up any differences in tolerance. Either melt a small amount of a candle onto the saddle clamp or use a wax-based chain lube and let the solvent evaporate before mounting the saddle.

[@JFomo]

OMG I FOUND MY CREAKING AND IT WAS THE REAR QUICK RELEASE!! I almost dropped hundreds of dollars for a Wheels Manufacturer bb and removal tools. Thank you so much.

[@ridesofjapan]

Happy to hear you could work it out! 👏

[@benjabear4102]

My bike has developed a rather annoying ticking noise. This video gave me a great reference on where to begin. If you're ever down in Fukuoka, let's go for a ride.

[@tecnociclista5342]

nothing more satisfying than getting rid of such a noise! My new bike only has 500km on the clock but has started making a weird squeeking noise today...wish me luck ;)

[@ridesofjapan]

Tecno Ciclista good luck mate! 🤞😊

[@johnonce]

Had the same problem ticking/creaking when putting power down out of the saddle. Once I cleaned the bike and greased the thru axles noise was gone. Thanks for your help/advice!!

[@alexsinbb]

MTB’er here. Never thought of the axles! Thanks. Quality video.

[@alexsinbb]

Just have to say thanks again. The front nut of the MRP fork was full of grime. This fixed a noise I’ve been chasing for 3 months!

[@krider7296]

Very useful video. I am also very ADD when it comes to a noisy bike. I have two bikes that I normally ride and both are equipped with Shimano Ultegra groupsets however one has a BB30 bottom bracket and the other has an Ultegra BBR60. The bike with the BB30 has over 12,000kms on it and no creaking however the bike with the threaded BBR60 creaked in under 4,500kms. Keep in mind that I never ride these bikes in wet weather and keep them very clean so I didn't expect the newer one with the threaded bottom bracket to creak first. I remedied the issue by removing the BBR60 unit, cleaning all the threads, applied new grease and installed it back into the frame. I didn't expect this to be the issue and it really surprised me.

[@casualguy393]

I found a tic when I was on the hoods, and as each foot rotated around the front of the pedal stroke while sitting and riding an easy pace. Once I put more power it seems to disappear. At first I hoped that mine would be in the seat post, and by chance I found a 3T seat post in the Bargain Box. I cleaned the seat tube, and swapped it out and that wasn't it. No worries though as I have and use two different seats, an Adamo triathlon seat for when I am doing sprints on the Arakawa, and another one for long rides when I spend more time on the hoods. I tightened the chainring bolts and that wasn't it either. Next up to pull the wheels and check the skewers.

[@finnnation]

I had a creaking noise on my Lynskey gravel bike. Your suggestions made it quiet again!! Thank you mate.

[@ridesofjapan]

Happy to hear that mate! Quiet bikes for all!

[@deeviate]

Had a case that drove me nuts. Cleaned all bolts, threads and spindles - didnt fix it. Bought new pedals - no dice. Even a new crank and bottom bracket didnt chase the creaking away. Found out that the cassette body was the source. Removed, cleaned and (mechanic at a LBS gave this tip) apply a thin layer of grease on cassette body and between the cassette sprockets along with cassette lock nut. Now I only hear my own thoughts out on a ride.

[@superstrada6847]

Frequency and association of tic can sometimes help isolate the source. Excellent video.

[@tkbuz]

So glad I found this! Was about to go to the bike shop and spend $$$ to overhaul the bottom bracket, then decided to check everything else first. Turned out to be one of the QR axle springs that got sucked into the dropout! Threw them all away (since they really don’t do anything useful and add a gram or two :) and now the clicking sound is gone!

[@mrmd7578]

Thank you for this video! I got a new bike a few weeks ago and last week had a bike fit and now it is creaking like crazy. So annoying! I’m new at learning the whole of a bicycle, so your video was super useful. Thank you! 🦋

[@bernhardrusch7765]

Thank you for this video. You've saved me lots of hassle. My road bike had exactly the same clicks like yours did. Checked the pedals, brought it to the local bike shop. They pulled the crank (I don't have the tools) and tightened the bolts on the crankset, but it didn't help. They've told me it looks like the clicks are from the frame and I can't do anything about it, but change the frame (it has 3 marks from falling down and you can't check if it is structural damage or not if you can't x-ray it) Long story short - greasing the quick release fixed the problem!

[@ridesofjapan]

Happy to hear you worked it out, ride on 👍

[@jeremycdurant]

Your suggestion helped me fix my loud creaking. I took it to the lbs and they couldn't find anything, just saying everything is okay.

[@ZeYoutubey]

I’ve figured out on a friend’s Trek Checkpoint that it was the internally routed rear brake hose in the BB area. It was creaking straight from the factory and he couldn’t root the cause for months until he asked for my help. So we corrected the issue with foam. Then mine started creaking similarly when I took out 20mm of spacers from the cockpit after a pro fit. I also have a new Gen 6 Madone SLR and I would’ve expected Trek to have placed the necessary foam damper but I suppose they’re trying to save on costs at our expense.

[@georgefouskitakis6697]

Here is my experience, which I should get paid for it (since I have spent so much time for these f@%*#%*&^ng noises), but u are a great guy, so here we go: 1) Clean the bike 2) Through axles (clean and grease both axles and drop outs) 3) Pedals (clean and grease threads) 4) Chainrings bolts (remove, clean, grease) 5) Derailleur hanger (remove, clean, grease) 6) Seatpost (remove, clean, new assembly paste) 7) Seatpost clamp (remove saddle, clean) 8) Saddle rails (check if they creak underneath the saddle, spray some WD40 or some silicon spray) 9) Pedal cleats (remove, clean, grease) 10) Interaction of pedal cleats WITH pedal body, (clean both pedal bodies and cleats, spray WD40 or use some bee wax based lubricant as shown at "OZ Cycles" YouTUbe channel). Look cleats are more likely to creak 11) Headset area (clean and grese) 12) Stem/handlebars (clean and put some new assembly paste) 13) Cassette (remove, clean, clean free hub body, grease free hub) 14) Spokes (check if the make noise as you squeeze them at their crossing points if they touch each other. Put some thick oil or some electric tape to isolate the spokes from each other and check). Re-tension spokes if needed. Spokes tend to creak when they are loose, on climbs and on high power output (more than 250 or 300 Watts). 15) The spokes can make noise at the point the meet the hub, especially if they are J-bend. Put some drops of thick oil or put some grease with a thin brush and check. 16) Remove crankset and clean the crank arm spindle and the internals of the BB and grease 17) Jockey wheels (remove, open bearing seals, clean, grease or use very good quality thick chain oil) 18) Free hub: remove it, take its parts out, clean and grease 19) Wheel hub and free hub bearings. Remove everything, clean, grease, service the bearings (open the seals, clean, grease and check). You may need to replace all the bearings with ONLY GOOD QUALITY ONES. 20) Remove the BB ........... clean and grease. ...and 2 very rare cases.... 21) saddle bags (tighten them on saddle rails and seat post) 22) helmets.... yes... sometimes the straps on even the dial (at the back of the helmet) may be noisy if you wear a hat or a bandana or a neck protector. This is all my experience, and I hope it will help some people out there.....

[@fat0maya]

wohoho! ... now that's a list! I'm on nr 1.. :)

[@fredhubbard7210]

Thanks for the list... I am putting a trouble shooting list for myself together. This saved a lot of work.

[@TCCGrantT]

That precision oil applicator thing looks the business.

[@PepeDalinShow]

This is very useful. Creaking noise is very annoying.

[@simonwarmer8777]

I usually can find the problem ticking boxes, I had the same noise as you did, only made a loud clicking noise standing up. Took me a while to find this one, a hard one. It appeared to be the derailleur pad, it had a tiny bit of dirt in between the frame and the pad. It made a sound as if my chain was snapping or BB was breaking down (new Hambini, so not likely) Took everything apart twice, can't stand noises. Thanks for the helpful vid!

[@mr2fast4]

Subbed because you solved my issue! I had a creak that I was unable to find.. turns out the cassette was loose. There was a thin hard plastic spacer that blew out the back where the cassette meets the hub face. It caused the cassette to go loose just enough to create the creak.

[@kevinthomson6324]

I had a creak issue in my cockpit last year. Clean grease and proper torque of stem bolts and problem was solved been quiet ever since

[@gordo6682]

Cracked aluminum frame just under the head tube on the down tube. Drove me bananas. Tore the bike apart numerous times. changed parts. finally was like, "could it be the damn frame?" it was the frame. found a dude who welds aluminum he fixed it all good. apparently due to the torsion generated while pedalling the rigid frame would tick and reverberate through the down tube and sound like it was coming out of the drive train. I hope that never happens again. Great video!

[@medienvogel]

Had the same thing happen to me last week. Same noise, right side, only under power. Immediately thought of this video! 👍🏼

[@reinhardplietsch9707]

Great video - fighting a click for half a year now: Only under load, saddle out as well, needs some 30km before it starts and gets worse over time/distance (single clicks first, multiple clicks per crank rev later), clicks coming from rear/drivetrain: Wheel set: replaced crank bearings: replaced Steering head: cleaned/relubed, wiggle out chain: replaced chainring: replaced 12mm rear thru axle: replaced 12x derailleur clutch: opened, relubed thru axle end caps: taken apart, cleaned, relubed crank: same pedals: replaced Now seeing your video I replaced the thru axle end caps completely, cleaned everything, put sticky grease on. Let's see on next ride - this clicking has driven me crazy!!

[@mubenallen]

Have you found it?

[@reinhardplietsch9707]

@@mubenallen no, accepting it as part of the direct magnetic drive and resonances. Wearing noise cancellation earbuds to find peace of mind... 😆😒

[@mubenallen]

My creak issue sounds pretty much the same as yours but seems to come from both rear or front probably travelling though the frame, i pin it conclusively. I've swapped out almost everything one at a time but it keeps coming back. I'm afraid I'm gonna be needing some earbuds.

[@DraganBozic]

I had the same sound, but my problem was one pedal. Nice and useful video.

[@markmacleod4099]

This is a great video. Thanks for sharing your experience. Just went through this search for creeking sounds on my Venge. Thought it was the BB but turned out to be the headset. I did however end up servicing the BB. Rear hub/cassette. Chainring bolts and skewers. One tip I learned out of it all was service your headset often if you ride in hot tropical locations and sweat a lot. Salt from the ocean air and from your sweat will seize it up and also accumulated under my bar tape. Use good grease and loctite on threads.

[@trek520rider2]

I've read of salt from sweat under bar tape causing corrosion that led to aluminum bars breaking. Perhaps the answer is to ride in the rain a lot?

[@TDREX700]

Kinda excellent style of explaining how to get rid of that annoying crabby creatures on your neck.

[@milkouille]

I did your "methodology" (i had a creak when i was sprinting or climbing up the saddle), find out it was the crank bolt ! But it was definitivly a good idea to regrease everything. Thanks for your video !

[@ridesofjapan]

Kamil Cc crank bolt? That’s a new one for me, what cranks if you don’t mind me asking? Cheers!

[@milkouille]

I mean chainring bolt.. Sorry for the english ahha

[@ridesofjapan]

Kamil Cc ah, no problem! Excellent 👍

[@professorsogol5824]

@@ridesofjapan I actually had that problem with Stronglite Cranks sometime in the last century. The bottom bracket spindle had a slightly tapered square portion that fit into a corresponding void in the crank. The crank was held on with a bolt that fit into a threaded hole in the center of the spindle. If the bolt was a bit loose, the crank would move a bit on the spindle and creak with almost every pedal stroke.on that side.

[@SenorBeanGrouse]

Great video. Other considerations: weird weight shift related creaks can be integrated headset. Also have had ticks, creaks, pops from stem faceplate bolts, hood/handlerbar clamps, saddle rails, cassette on freehub body (particularly in hot weather or after washing), cable housing moving in ferrule.

[@ridesofjapan]

That pretty much covers it all! 👍

[@Lastinline1965]

Thanks so much for this video. I had the clicking noise on the drive side under hard pedaling - I have QR and sure enough cleaned and greased the QR area and bang so far so good - now I just need to trail test it 👍🏼👍🏼

[@kevincuthbert3058]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge......will try the quick release skewers as I haven’t thought of that .

[@Membrillo81]

I have a noise while climbing in the saddle. Pedalling out of the saddle the noise disappeared. I disassembled saddle and seatpost. Applied grease or fiber grip on everything. I have not ridden the bike since, but I hope it solved the issue. If not, I will follow your steps.

[@Merlincustom1]

Had a tic pedaling every revolution with the right leg at the top of the stroke. Culprit was a tool long front der cable that was bent and catching my shoe. Luckily I found it first before having to tear anything apart. It helped that the noise developed just after replacing cables so always my first line of inquiry after hearing a noise is to ask "did anything change?" just before hearing the noise.

[@yudotn]

could you please elaborate more the tool long of front der cable? I have similar problem, it creaking only on the right side during the top stroke. Thanks!

[@19brian55]

Just came across your vids, they’re great. I’ve got a ton of watching to catchup👍

[@ridesofjapan]

Cheers mate! Happy to hear you like them 🙏

[@janeztomazic5546]

thank you for this mate, I have the exact same noise, it drives me crazy, checked everything even replaced the BB bearings, never thought about the skewers

[@janeztomazic5546]

well, tried it, didnt work for me, damn; you got any other idea what could it be. I replaced bearings, entire crank, pedals, shoes :-); I tried to replicate the noise on pedals without the chain and couldnt so that meakes me think that its something else than BB, it it the exact same noise as you had only under heavy power on pedals

[@fritztecson175]

Did you find the problem? Dealing with this for a week now, cant find the noise. Also, it is only during hard pedaling on the right side and the click happens in 4-5 o clock position

[@janeztomazic5546]

@@fritztecson175 I did finally, it was the bottom bracket area, I put Loctite 641 between the BB and frame and it did the job, this video helped me kzbin.info/www/bejne/paiQmoV6lMl7qZo I used loctite 641 instead cause its easier to take it apart

[@stevenhampson4931]

Hi good video. I am also chase noises on my bikes and a common one not on your list is headset/fork bearings where lots of crud can affect particularly the lower bearing. Undo the head cap and stem and drop out the forks. On modern bikes the bearings can be removed by hand, clean forks, head tube and bearings, grease and put back.....NICE AND QUEIT>>>>

[@ridesofjapan]

Steven Hampson that is a good place to look indeed 👍

[@totalrepawns]

great video , it helped solve my click it was coming the crank bolts ! quick shot of oil the click was gone !!!!

[@jimnyfuchs]

My first thought when the sequence of the ticking appeared was, that your shoes match your frame nicely. Looking forward to bike packing content. Noisy, ticking, ratteling regards 😝

[@ridesofjapan]

jimnyfuchs hehe, very kind of you to notice machine effort I put in 😜 Cheers mate, stay tuned! 🤙

[@richardharker2775]

I had a very slight clicking on the left down stroke. I couldn't hear it but I could feel it. As I was riding I was trying to visualize the problem such as a damaged bearing in the pedal, a loose pedal, a loose screw on the cleat, loose crank arm, loose external bottom bracket. It only happened on the start of the left down stroke. Time and again I went through everything, checking, checking, checking. It was driving me nuts. I finally found the problem when I re positioned my cleats. It was my ankle. An old injury has caused joint damage in a tiny way that a slight misalignment caused a cavity to "pop" in a cycling movement that I could feel but not hear. Now the bike is impeccably serviced but the ankle remains I'm afraid. Flat pedals may be the answer.

[@ridesofjapan]

Rick Harker damn, that’s a tricky one to diagnose. Hope it won’t keep you off the bike for long. A large float pedal might work? Like a speedplay with fully open float maybe.

[@richardharker2775]

I'm ok if my left foot is naturally pointed out slightly. My cleats had me straight. Also low cadence/hard effort causes issues. Knowing that I can avoid the problem and keep on enjoying my cycling. A cycling holiday in Japan is on my wish list.

[@IronHorsey3]

@@richardharker2775 Time pedals with the float. Happy trails.

[@stijndeklerk]

What I'm dealing with right now. (to) Low a tention on spokes, audible spoke creaks on steep climbs when applying high torque (on factory DT-Swiss wheels)

[@jockclark3660]

I recently had creaking issue on my Giant TCR. Thought it was the grub screw holding the rear derailleur hanger to the rear axle plate. I over tightened it and then rounded the axle hole trying to loosen it. That screw must be made of the softest metal known. Decided to take it to LBS to check out the BB as it was still creaking - but they were going to charge me $110 per hour for labour. Luckily I found your video instead. Turns out it was the rear axle. Thanks! (Still have that grub screw rounded off and annoying me when ever I look at it)

[@momo.ru-kun]

Spokes: rubbing together or has loosened also makes a creaking/popping sound like a loose chainring bolt

[@enigmaviki]

Awesome video man!!! Been facing this issue today. Very informative. Will try these ideas Update: thru axle greasing removed the squeak...thanks man

[@crm0510]

I was getting sporadic clicking on the flats, and much more frequent clicking when on the hills or while under high torque (off and on the saddle). This occurred while in the big and little ring. I resolved mine by replacing my pedals. I've read on various forums that Shimano released a bad batch of Ultegra PD-6800 (right side) pedals. And that's is likely what I had since I'm almost positive the clicking was loudest on the right side. So I upgraded to the new R8000's and clicking is now gone. I realize I could have pulled the axle and serviced it. But I wanted to upgrade anyhow since they are slightly lighter weight. It was a win-win decision for me. I got about 2 years worth of riding out of the PD-6800's before the click started. I hope this helps someone else out there as frustrated as I was with this issue.

[@MrExelrose]

Excellent video. Fixed many of my creaks. Now, I have a new one. The creak starts usually after 30-45minutes of cycling, usual after usage of higher torque. If you have any ideas, happy to hear. Feeling like a noise from BB, but why just after a while. Makes no sense to me.

[@onilovni1234]

My road bike has thru axles as well and this part is a frequent source of noise when I ride. I took the habit to undo the axle a bit, wiggle it, and re tight it before every ride. I don't need to clean it every so often.

[@ridesofjapan]

Anthony HT sounds like very good practice indeed 👍

[@lorenzsiggel1515]

Timely video. On my last ride I was getting a click at the bottom of each rotation on the right side when putting power on seated or standing. Tomorrow it’s go through and find the culprit. I’m betting on pedal..... I really hate a creaky bike!

[@ridesofjapan]

Lorenz Siggel cheers to that! 🍻 Good luck!

[@lorenzsiggel1515]

And I win my bet. It was the pedal: the axle/bearing unit was loose on the body. So i took the opportunity to overhaul the pedals and now there is the sweet sound of silence. Cheers.

[@ridesofjapan]

Lorenz Siggel brilliant! Peace to the world ✌️

[@tkbuz]

Thanks!

[@ridesofjapan]

Thank you!

[@robevans8625]

keo grip cleats creak but the bi material ones don't. i once went into a bike shop in thailand and told them it was my bb i was absolutely certain, it turned out to be my seatpost. it had stretched over time

[@ridesofjapan]

p Feeley yeah, the seat post is a bit of a dark horse, glad you sorted it out though 👍

[@Davepool_TF-69]

I recently had one I couldn't figure out until I decided to use chain lube on the spokes of my rear wheel anywhere the spokes crossed. My bike has been silent ever since. I also have a press fit frame and installed a bottom bracket from BBInfinite. They are the holy grail of bottom bracket modules. Zero creams and the smoothest turning cranks I've ever had.

[@ridesofjapan]

David Schroeder that’s a new area I’ve never heard of myself! Cheers! 👌

[@Davepool_TF-69]

@@ridesofjapan yes! Me neither. It was the first time that I couldn't figure out a creak so I decided anywhere I see metal touching metal gets lube! Eventually I landed in the spokes. Cheers!

[@phoenixinthetrees1446]

Thanks, dude! I've got this problem on my mtb and have just found a loose crank / chainring bolt. Hopefully, that will sort out the tick, tick, tick...

[@biketoshi5348]

Thank you for the video! I would add derailleur hanger to the list. Although I never had it, I'm wondering if checking the spokes would make sense as well?

[@maxplx82]

Hi mate, nice content! My friend had an noise issue a specially on load from the back wheel hub cup(like a preload nut for a bearings in the hub). If those cups didn’t tighten enough they will have slightly movement. Same will be with loose rear cassette nut as well. Thanks. Max

[@ridesofjapan]

Max Kabaykin good suggestions! There’s definitely a lot of different areas to check depending on equipment. Cheers!

[@thomaskeane3298]

Thank you! This video saved by sanity

[@denethorpalantir2815]

These two clicks had me really stumped for a while, 1. The fender polymer attachment cross piece for rear seat stays on a Crockett 4 disc frame; one bolt loosened slightly letting in dirt ingress and when pedaling under torque a click could be heard, swore the sound was the BB failing. 2. SRAM Apex long-cage derailleur bolt attachment to derailleur hanger; once again dirt ingress between the two and a subtle click could be heard primarily on release of torque when pedaling. I literally disassembled the bike, cleaned everything, reassembled it before finding the culprit. In both cases, the mechanical system loosened and dirt got in between, and under certain temperatures, humidities, and torque the annoying noise would happen.

[@jeremycdurant]

Thanks, I am going to try this. Always a fan.

[@BikesBlades]

Other common noise-makers: spokes, seatpost, saddle rail clamp. Spokes sometimes even make noises where they cross each other.

[@EricBeard-x9h]

Click on left crank, 12 sp. Ultegra, under pressure, changed pedals, shoes etc but still there. Checked just about all else, but will try lube spray seat clamp. Perhaps removing l/h crank and lube worth trying.

[@airbraker]

Saddle rails. Where they enter the plastic body of the saddle they move and creak. Put oil on it but that is wearing off will replace with grease. Sounded like bottom bracket !

[@mikeyjay5396]

I have a silverback Stride Expert and it started making a ticking noise from the front, I think it's a spoke issue but all have been tightened as it only makes it when pressure is on the handlebars not when the bike is on a hoist or upside down. Still trying to troubleshoot it as the noise is annoying. Will report back when I find a solution.

[@phillipfogg8100]

Thanks for the tips! I had a similar clicking noise, it always occurred when the left pedal was in the 11 o'clock position. It ended up being the chainring bolts.

[@JWKEL88]

I had the issues when I pedal hard or now the normal pedal it has creaking noise and so much loud. I try cleaning and greasing the BB, pedals, chainring bolts everything and it still has the issues. But I haven’t try the skewer and remove the crank. Will update again next week as I go to the mechanic and hopefully it fixed my issue!

[@FinnCodM]

Great video man! Recently I've switched to a single gear, as I thought it would me more challenging! I have a bike with a flip flop hub! Now I'm using the single gear part but I get this clicking sounds when I'm pedaling only! It is driving me crazy I cant figured out! It seems.to me.that comes.right and left but im.not.sure! What could.it be? I've checked the axes are good! Could it be chain tension? Its only happens when im.on bike riding and pedaling!

[@albertocubillas3422]

I get the same clicking on the left side when the crank arm is at the 3 o’clock position regardless if I’m standing or sitting. I have a BB30 pressfit on my Cannondale CAAD12 Dura Ace Disc and it is extremely annoying. I’ve tried everything so I’m just going to change the crankset to a threaded Shimano hollowtech bottom bracket with a conversion kit. My creak is a lot louder than your, I can most definitely hear it and other riders can also hear it even if I’m 2 bike lengths behind them

[@treyquattro]

with my bike it's the mechanical Ultegra front mech: always chain rubbing! I adjust screws and it's fine again for a while but sooner than later it's noisy again, and seems worse when I put more power down. It makes me consider going to 1-by, but I can't do that - I need the range. Maybe I will go for Di2 instead, on a future bike. So maddening though.

[@MrJouleJr]

I had my new Cannondale make really annoying squeaking/creaking noise under power. Turns it it was my SPD shoes squeaking, the rubber sole was rubbing against the pedal, which was unexpected as they were both shimano. Anyways, i took a box cutter and removed some of the rubber sole around the cleats - solved one problem! The creaking itself came from the bottom bracket i suppose. It was a shitty FSA crank anyways and i was planning to replace it in the future. Ordered a tiagra crank with a dura-ace BB, replaced it and all was silent again.

[@shanew634]

Another excellent introduction.👏

[@wrarmatei]

Maybe someone mentioned it over the last year, but crank brothers pedals will click as the mechanism yawns and cleats float during heavier downstrokes. I am lucky with tuning some noises out.

[@karl_okohan]

The interface between the frame and the brake caliper, you know na bare metal part where the bolt pinches the caliper to the frame. Sometimes it creaks when it's dirty. Also the Derailleur Hanger and the bottle cage bolt interface sometimes creaks as well

[@ThatVeryRandomPerson]

I had a stretched chain and/or worn cassette which creaked when putting torque through the pedals. I guess it was the space between the pins and rollers of the chain and the poor meshing of chain and cassette causing it to move excessively under load and creak. Swapped everything out and creak free!!!

[@ridesofjapan]

TheRandom Dude that is a very good tip! 👌

[@brianbaxter2595]

I was using my cyclocross commute to and from work and one day I started hearing a single "tick" with each pedal rotation. After inspecting, greasing and everything humanly possible, the tick was still there. I spent many days staring at the crank. What could possibly be clicking? It sounding like a movement.....Then I saw it!! About 2 months earlier I had replaced the large chain ring. I had installed a FSA ring onto my sram crank. Like all chain rings there is a steel stud coming out of the side of the ring. When installed properly this stud is tucked in behind the right crank arm to prevent the chain from becoming jammed between the crank arm and the large chain ring. Anyway what I noticed was that this stud completely filled the gap between the ring and crank arm. As a matter of fact it was perhaps 1/100 of an inch too long! This caused the stud to be pressed very very tightly into the back of the crank arm. As I would pedal, the crank arm would flex. Not very much of course but enough that there was a microscopic bit of movement between the arm and stud and this caused the "Tick" . To better understand this...try squeezing a plastic ruler or credit card with your finger and thumb as hard as you can. Then try to slide your finger(or thumb) a little. You will hear a tapping sound. I removed the ring....filed down the end of the stud so I had a tiny gap. No more "click"!!

[@fredhubbard7210]

Sounded like that was it for me... but nope. Nice find though.

[@xaviersemont647]

When I started to watch your video, I immediately thought about the headset. Because last time I had a creak like this, out of the saddle, it was the headset (dry and dirty). Now I have a question for you, in the vidéo, you use a small bottle of oil to lubricate the pivots/moving parts of the rear derailleur. Where did you find such a thin needle to go exactly where it's needed ? Thanks a lot for everything, best regards, Xavier from France.

[@ridesofjapan]

+Xavier SEMONT I use a Japanese brand, but this should be pretty much the same thing: amzn.to/2MQY1un

[@xaviersemont647]

Thank you very much for your prompt answer. And thank you very much again for your videos. I love them. have a nice day and a great week-end if the weather allows you to go for a ride :)

[@ridesofjapan]

Xavier SEMONT cheers mate 🙏

[@antoinepiriou9596]

Hello thank you for this clear explanation for fixing noises. I have a strange noise/ vibration that only come at high speed (over 40km/h) when I am not pedaling : do you have an idea ?

[@ridesofjapan]

Hard to diagnose without experience it, but if it’s only high speed not pedaling My first place to look would be the freehub.

[@fkoobsen]

I got a weird noise from my wheels once. On my back wheel, where the spokes overlap, every time I put some watts through it, the spokes would give slightly and it sounded like something was stuck in my spokes. Tensioned the spokes back up, the noise was gone. :)

[@vincentmartle9544]

had the same issue, i just sprayed wd40 on those intersections of the spokes and it was good for a month :)

[@jonaslo6011]

my local bike shop told me ones, that aluminium frames sometimes creak from the inner parts of the welds in the frame. you just have to spray some oil in the tubes from your headtube or bottom bracket and then tilt the frame in different directions, so the oil can flow to the welds

[@mubenallen]

Have you tried this? What kind of oil would do the trick? I've tried replacing everything one at a time and am still at a loss.

[@jonaslo6011]

@@mubenallen I've tried it on a cheap alloy frame and it actually worked. I used brunox, but I think any spray lubricant like wd-40 should work

[@teunluijbregts2533]

One weird place: the routing of the chain in the derailleur. Did that wrong once, will never do it again. ;-) Another one if you have a handlebar with internal cable routing: di2 cables inside of the handlebar. Third, although not too common: sand inbetween the saddle and seatpost rail clamp.

[@ridesofjapan]

All good ones! Cheers!

[@rlanger]

If quick release skewers aren't tight enough, they can also click. Took me a couple of weeks to find that one. Ugh!! By the way, where do you get all your great cycling caps? Online or a local shop?

[@ridesofjapan]

Robert Langer both online and local, but mostly online. I have a thing for cycling caps and socks hehe. The one in the video is one (of two) that I recently picked up from MAAP, they seem to fit my head better than the rapha ones I have.

[@antoniskapnoulas767]

Noise from the bike for about a year. Everything checked and eventually found it when it was obvious. Cracked Ultegra crank from the drive side..! I was lucky enough to see it and not snap during a ride. Dealer replaced the crank

[@ridesofjapan]

Antonis Kapnoulas holy shit, lucky you found it before it failed on you!

[@sethm.5666]

Had this exact same problem as well! Took me one irritating month to find it.

[@scottwhittet5226]

I am Still searching for the once per wheel rev coasting or pedaling CLICK / TICKing ! tried all the above fixes to no avail. … What about disc brake calipers' twisted or bent such that …. ? … how about a twisted inner tube that flexes each wheel revolution to click the presta stem - not secured with a nut as most are not really )

[@ridesofjapan]

Try putting a piece of tape over the valve stem, they way you can at least eliminate that possibility 🤔

[@robertwilliammayers]

@Rides of Japan: I'm curious whether it was the front or back thru axle for you? And when you get an issue in this location is it always in the front/back or is it a mixed bag?

[@ridesofjapan]

I did both at the same time in this instance so can't say which it was... but if I remember correctly, the front was a bit more filthy so of I had to guess, I'd say the the front. I think the fork will flex more then the rear triangle so I have a feeling the front will cause more trouble...

[@Fluterra]

I find the new SRAM Red AXS shifters/brake levers rattle when you go over bumps and don’t hold them. How is that best solved?

[@harriot1019]

I have a creak while out of the saddle on my 2022 sprint allez comp. It's driving me crazy! It's really hard to determine the exact location. I've had the cranks, pedals, and BB off several times. Greased/torqued back to specs. Still NO luck! Thru axles were cleaned and greased also. I'll try cleaning the thru axles again and applying grease to the threads/dropouts. Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance!

[@jasonkmills]

thanks will use this for my MTB

[@vincentmartle9544]

mine was the seatpost.. couldn't believe it.. checked almost everything.. pulled the seatpost out, cleaned it and put some grease on it and the noise was gone.. the sound was not traceable so was a big surpise that the seatpost was the source..

[@eilrach299]

Hey! I have almost exactly the same routine when it comes to creak hunting, though I do tend to check my seat post area quite early on. I have two bikes: my commute which I have built and fiddle with. And my long ride bike which I generally leave to the shop to fiddle with, but one day there was this very annoying click like yours when powering down or dancing. It took a few days to find but eventually it turned out to be the QR skewer. Though it was tight, it needed to be even tighter! Unbelievably simple but so easy to miss. Like the vids btw! Looking forward to more.

[@ridesofjapan]

eilrach299 yeah, you build up the routines with time hehe, I had one problem with a seat post about 10years ago, so it’s a lot further down on my list now especially since I like to avoid messing with the battery in the seat post. Definitely always check that before the BB though :) Cheers mate! 🙏

[@giggzgiggz1122]

1 year never clean free hub. have Tic sound not rhythmic, even steady cedance. After checking up, found 1 pawl spring back slowly (cheap one) So took it off, clean it and new grease. that Tic sound gone.!

[@ollieb9875]

My tick turned in to more of a creak when I decided to really give the bike a good rough gravel ride, basically to see what would fall off or didn't work well. Anyway, it would only happen when seated and upon removal and inspection I saw my my carbon seatpost had been... Well, some monkey had obviously swung on the wrench and it was cracked at the clamp. 🙄🤔 Don't know really why, I torque to 5nm religiously but maybe I greased the bolt or the spec is for a different one 😕 it was an EC90 post, kind of cheap I suppose. I wonder if you make anything of their products. It seems ok most of the time. Cheers, ride safe!

[@basedpatriotLT]

I have similar tick and it clearly comes from the bottom bracket side (not from the wheels). Are you saying you could not hear from which side the sound was coming? I would think that if it came from rear or front wheel you would hear the direction it comes from (so there would be no confusion whether it is wheel side or bottom bracket side)

[@ridesofjapan]

Every sound on a carbon frame sounds like it’s coming from the BB :)

[@jcsrst]

I had a similar clic to yours only when seated and my right leg hit the bottom of the stroke. I checked everything you did and over the course on a week I couldn't find it 😡 I basically had disassembled and reassembled the bike one area at a time! You know where you find a clic? The last F-ing place you look!! It was where the rail went into the seat! Noises have a habit of sounding like they are from different spots when you're riding. Problem solved with some dry lube.

[@andrewhernandez1275]

That's why I take my bikes apart time to time and lube all the connections/screws , light on the screws not to make them come loose but enough to help against corrosion/weathering.

[@andrewhernandez1275]

When you take everything apart you will find problems you didn't know before and you'll service it before finding the problem on a ride.

[@jcsrst]

@@andrewhernandez1275 I do the same!

[@vivoslibertos]

The thing with carbon frames or non bridge chainstays if you put high torque on when pedalling the rear triangle is twisted. Same happen when you brake the force is twisting the rear triangle even though you're not a jedi. Everything made from plastic is creaking except Gunpla XD

[@RickyJr46]

Thanks for this...I'm currently chasing a loud, maddening creak or squawk when pedaling a Ti road frame. The threaded external BB was replaced but that did not cure the noise. A good washing did silence it, for a couple weeks, but the noise returned and is worse than before. Pedals, chainring bolts, cassette, skewers, et cetera all clean, greased, and tight. Originally, this creak would start a few miles into a ride but now it's always present, and may occur with even very easy crank motion. A second washing did not have any effect. Mysterious!

[@ridesofjapan]

Try taking the seatpost out, and give it a clean.

[@RickyJr46]

Thanks, RoJ. When I stand out of the saddle the noise is still present though it changes a bit. Could a seatpost still creak when I'm out of the seat?

[@ridesofjapan]

Even if you don’t sit down the pedaling force could still twist the tubes a smidge. It might not be that, but if you tired everything else I couldn’t hurt to try. 👍

[@RickyJr46]

👍🏼

[@neeleshkushte6023]

The other day I went on a long ride that had some horrible ascends as well as descends. However, after having completed around 75 kms, I noticed a strange noise coming from the front. I checked for broken spokes, or if anything had gotten entwined near the hub, but couldn't find anything. I have the bike a through wash, relubed her, and went on a ride. The noise was back. I undid the qr, greased them, checked my saddle bolts pedals the works and went on another ride. The noise was back. But after some 12 kms, the noise vanished. I was happy. However, when I again resumed my ride after having some food, the noise was back to haunt me. And again after 7-8 kms, it vanished. Today, I'm yet to go on any ride. Wonder where that noise is coming from. Keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't recur.

[@markhaneklaus282]

Thank you very much for the video. i had a similar problem on my trek 29er. as your clicking did not disapear completely you might give the thread (not the thread itself, how it is fixed in the frame) in which the throughaxle slips in on the other (drive) side more attention. in my case there is a kind of "thread-inlet-piece" which is screwed into the frame ("dropout"). This bast... screw was loose !!! Whish i would have seen your video earlier because i checked everything you would do in case it is not an "axleissue" BEFORE ... : Crank, Chainring-, Pedal-, Cleatbolts, cassette fixing (even changed 2 expensive xtr cogs on it ) and so on - Phuhhh....