Distinct clicking noise from bottom bracket

[DareDemon666]

So, I've recently noticed a clicking noise from the bottom bracket - or at least that area. Of course it's difficult to really pin I down from up in the saddle, but as the noise is torque related I'm inclined to believe it's the bracket that's responsible.

It's a distinct clicking noise and comes around with each revolution of the pedals. When I'm putting the barest power into them and coasting, it's not there at all. At a casual pace and putting some power into the pedals, it's a couple of clicks with each revolution. And when I'm really putting on the power, when I'm climbing or sprinting or similar, then there's a whole medley of clicks. I think the clicks are primarily with the left-hand pedal stroke, but it's difficult to tell. There's no creaking or anything which is somewhat confusing - it doesn't sound like something's flexing - it almost sounds like a Geiger counter

The bike itself is a brand new (not a month old yet!) Cannondale supersix evo (2021). Apart from the pedals which I put on, the bike was assembled by the shop I bought it from. It's a carbon-fiber frame so perhaps that's something to do with it? I'm out of my depth there having only ever ridden steel alloy frames before.

I have been a little worried that it's due to my size. I'm about 106kg which is certainly on the heavier end for a bike like this - but I can't believe that I'm putting more strain on the bike than even an amateur racer might, so I doubt it's that. I'm hoping it's something simple that I can fix myself, it would be pure pain to have my new baby taken away from me all of a sudden to be fixed!

So, any ideas anyone? Any advice on how to diagnose and/or solve the issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance all!

[Jdsk]

This is notoriously difficult.

I'd start by:

1 Considering that it might be coming from lots of different places and investigating accordingly.

2 Trying different shoes/ cleats. And soaking the mechanisms in WD-40 as a test. (What shoes and clips etc are you using?)

3 Removing the pedals, inspecting the threads, and refitting them with appropriate stuff on the thread at the appropriate tightness.

Jonathan

[Jupestar]

I would take it back to the shop - 100%. From what you say it could well be the BB. I wouldn't touch it and ask the shop to check it over - if it has dodgy bearings or not been fitted correctly it can be replaced.

[Bonzo Banana]

I think that is a common issue with pressfit bottom brackets especially with heavier riders. However as previously stated you shouldn't assume as it could be something else. You could try swopping out the pedals for some standard pedals just to try to eliminate the pedals as the cause and then begin to focus on the bottom bracket. If you have a microphone on a cable you can use you could tape it to certain parts of the bike as you ride and connect it to your phone so you can pinpoint exactly where the clicking is coming from. Difficult to know when riding but a well placed microphone should let you home in it. You may have some small headphones with a microphone built in that would be easy to tape at certain points. I seem to remember someone assumed it was the bottom bracket and turned out to be from the seat tube in the end. I tend to use copper grease to quieten bikes but thats for metal bikes not CF. It creates a barrier between two metals that restricts vibrations between them. Maybe something similar available for CF?

[cycleruk]

I think that is a common issue with pressfit bottom brackets especially with heavier riders. However as previously stated you shouldn't assume as it could be something else.

Certainly is a common reported issue with press-fit BBs.
A Web search may bring up a fix but I would go back to the shop about it.
There could be other reasons such as loose chainring bolts or a crank arm catching the front derailleur.

[peetee]

First place I’d look is the front mech cable end - if you have a front mech at all . I’ve seen lots of bikes with this left too long so it strikes the crank as it rotates.

[DareDemon666]

I thought it might be a problematic thing to diagnose...nuts!

I'm going to give it a good once over at home this evening and check all of the moving components (and the ones that shouldn't!). With any luck it's just something not quite torqued enough.

I'm using Shimano RS500 pedals with Shimano RC1 shoes (yellow cleats). They didn't make any noise at all the first week or two of riding but if that is the issue it'll be a much easier fix at least!

What am I looking for exactly when inspecting the threads? Just general wear and damage?

Unfortunately the shop I bought it from is way over in London. It's just not feasible for me to 'take it back' as such and I'd only want to ship it back once I know there's a definite issue that needs fixing by a proper mechanic!

I'll see if I can figure out the microphone thing, but I'll have to hunt down the earphones since I've been on wireless earbuds for a few years now - and yeah I think the equivalent of Copper grease is Carbon gripper paste - got some on the seatpost already but perhaps not enough.

The mech is in pretty much perfect condition. In any case the clicking noise doesn't sound like a mech problem - it's too frequent. The cables are all internally routed so if that's the cause of the clicking I think I've got bigger problems to worry about - namely, how an internal cable is interfering with the group-set

Thanks for all the help so far. I've emailed the bike shop about it and I'll see what advice they offer me too.

[flat tyre]

I had a noise that sounded similar to your description. My bottom bracket was the threaded type. What I found was that the threaded bearing housing on one side of the BB was coming loose after a few hundred miles. I fixed the problem by putting some blue locktite on the threads before tightening up the housing and it's been fine for 2,000 miles so far.

[Jdsk]

I'm using Shimano RS500 pedals with Shimano RC1 shoes (yellow cleats). They didn't make any noise at all the first week or two of riding but if that is the issue it'll be a much easier fix at least!

What am I looking for exactly when inspecting the threads? Just general wear and damage?

Pedal threads often get damaged.

Wear and tear, and dirt on any of the threads or faces.

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

I'm going to give it a good once over at home this evening and check all of the moving components (and the ones that shouldn't!). With any luck it's just something not quite torqued enough.

I recommend:

Sheldon Brown:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com

Park Tool Repair Help:
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

I seem to remember someone assumed it was the bottom bracket and turned out to be from the seat tube in the end

Possibly my most recent Noise of Uncertain Origin.

I thought that it was from the drivetrain, but with advice from these parts it turned out to be the single-point clamping of the seat! Brucey convinced me that it could go a lot tighter.

Jonathan

[DareDemon666]

I seem to remember someone assumed it was the bottom bracket and turned out to be from the seat tube in the end

Possibly my most recent Noise of Uncertain Origin.

I thought that it was from the drivetrain, but with advice from these parts it turned out to be the single-point clamping of the seat! Brucey convinced me that it could go a lot tighter.

Jonathan

Admittedly this is a fear of mine. The seat-post is clamped in place by a single set screw, and I've really put it on pretty tight! I've not got a torque wrench to really know but the last time i tightened it up it made a bit of a click and I chickened out of going any tighter!

[Jdsk]

I seem to remember someone assumed it was the bottom bracket and turned out to be from the seat tube in the end

Possibly my most recent Noise of Uncertain Origin.

I thought that it was from the drivetrain, but with advice from these parts it turned out to be the single-point clamping of the seat! Brucey convinced me that it could go a lot tighter.

Admittedly this is a fear of mine. The seat-post is clamped in place by a single set screw, and I've really put it on pretty tight! I've not got a torque wrench to really know but the last time i tightened it up it made a bit of a click and I chickened out of going any tighter!

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=140859
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=137169
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=142752

Jonathan

[DareDemon666]

Possibly my most recent Noise of Uncertain Origin.

I thought that it was from the drivetrain, but with advice from these parts it turned out to be the single-point clamping of the seat! Brucey convinced me that it could go a lot tighter.

Admittedly this is a fear of mine. The seat-post is clamped in place by a single set screw, and I've really put it on pretty tight! I've not got a torque wrench to really know but the last time i tightened it up it made a bit of a click and I chickened out of going any tighter!

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=140859
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=137169
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=142752

Jonathan

Interesting threads (haha get it ), I think it's just the way CF plays with the mind. It's so counter intuitive that something that light could be as strong as it really is - so I think I'm a lot more reserved than I would be with a steel frame, even if that isn't entirely founded.

[peetee]

The mech is in pretty much perfect condition. In any case the clicking noise doesn't sound like a mech problem - it's too frequent. The cables are all internally routed so if that's the cause of the clicking I think I've got bigger problems to worry about - namely, how an internal cable is interfering with the group-set

It’s not the active part of the cable. It’s the end bit beyond the clamp of the mech. These are often left too long and sticking out to the extent that they interfere with the crank arm as it passes by.