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Post by busaste on Mar 26, 2017 20:20:08 GMT
It is driving me mad! When I pedal along on my winter Viscount (poor thing, it is out in ALL weathers and rarely gets cleaned) I can hear a metallic sounding ticking noise. This noise occurs whether I am standing on the pedals or sat on the saddle. There are no ticks when I stop pedalling.
I have come across this problem before and it is a right b*****d to diagnose. I've had it on a brand new GT MTB, Aerospace Sport (x2) and an Aerospace bike I built up with many new parts (not Whippets).
On my current problem bike I have replaced the freewheel (new) and BB (new). Did not solve the problem. The chain is nearly new and the chain rings are mint. The SR Apex cranks are dead square on the BB spindle. The chain line is good too as verified by my Park Tool (BB spindle 122mm long).
I've stripped/cleaned/re-greased the less than 1 year old pedals too. It's not the saddle (mint Brooks B17) as it is nice and tight on the rails. The forks are NOS. The headset is a nearly new quality Tange unit. There are no cracks in the Aerospace Pro frame.
All I can think of to do now is replace the SR chainrings and KMC chain. Can't think this will solve it though as I would just be removing low miles parts. Worth a try though?
Any suggestions would be gratefully received!!!!! The noise is driving me mad.
Thanks
Steve
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Post by gerryattrick on Mar 26, 2017 21:17:22 GMT
You seem to have tried the logical things, how about looking at the daft things that could go wrong. Is it a regular ticking? I had a ticking noise when I was pedalling which was driving me mad. It turned out to be the end of the cable for the front derailleur which was being hit by the crank arm every rotation.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,386 
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Post by Jem on Mar 26, 2017 21:23:50 GMT
Pedal clip/strap?
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Post by raymondo on Mar 26, 2017 21:28:48 GMT
Change the wheels from another bike.
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Post by sprockit on Mar 26, 2017 22:21:43 GMT
Is it a single tic, or a short creak, as in a double or triple tic?
Does it tic in time to pedal strokes or wheel rotations?
Are the crank bolts tight?
Are the wheel bearings cup and cone or the press-in type?
You've probably gone through all the above already.
I've had ticking from loose spokes, dry bearings (usually a creak), and even from the stem where the handlebars clamp in - the latter cured by the application of another foot-pound of torque to the clamp bolt after inspection for snapped handlebar within - although I could hear that the ticking was from the stem.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Mar 27, 2017 5:36:44 GMT
I hate ticking! My advice, first tighten everything. Over the last 53 years of riding road bikes, I have had ticking sounds (when pedaling) that were fixed by one or more of the following, tightening the bottom bracket spindle bolts, tightening chain ring bolts, replacing worn pedal bearings, replacing the derailleur pulleys, replacing the chain, straightening the derailleur hanger, straightening the derailleur cage, bending the front derailleur cable so that it clears pedals or wheels, tightening the saddle mounting bolts, tightening the handle bar stem. Oh yes, not to forget, throwing away an Octalink crank set (never could fix it), tightening spokes, and adjusting my helmet away from my glasses. Sounds when not pedaling, look to the wheels. I am certain that I have missed a few. My most common have been failing chain links (pin pulling out) and loose bottom bracket spindles.
I wish you well in your search
Jim
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Post by busaste on Apr 5, 2017 20:38:18 GMT
You seem to have tried the logical things, how about looking at the daft things that could go wrong. Is it a regular ticking? I had a ticking noise when I was pedalling which was driving me mad. It turned out to be the end of the cable for the front derailleur which was being hit by the crank arm every rotation. Good idea! I've just checked - the cables are all tucked away. Still, that's another cause eliminated. Many thanks. Steve |
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Post by busaste on Apr 5, 2017 20:40:34 GMT
Thanks Jem. I removed them and the click is still there. Rats! Good suggestion though and it's one less thing to think of. Thanks Steve |
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Post by busaste on Apr 5, 2017 20:41:53 GMT
Change the wheels from another bike. Good suggestion thanks. Already tried that but the tick remains. Aaaaaaarrrrgggghhhh! Thanks Steve |
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Post by vtchuck on Apr 5, 2017 20:52:07 GMT
Tight link in the chain? RD jockey wheels? Chainring bolts? Pedal bearings? Problem with the Spindle tapers and the Cranks? ISO vs. JIS?
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,386
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Post by Jem on Apr 5, 2017 20:58:09 GMT
Knees?  |
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Post by busaste on Apr 5, 2017 21:09:09 GMT
Is it a single tic, or a short creak, as in a double or triple tic?
It's multiple ticks which seem to be in sync with the rotating crank arms. The noise does seem to come from that area.Does it tic in time to pedal strokes or wheel rotations? Are the crank bolts tight? YesAre the wheel bearings cup and cone or the press-in type? It's one of those YST units for BBs with a stripped thread. I took the cranks off and the BB bearings were beautifully smooth. Previously I used a Klein BB spindle with 6003 bearings. The ticking was just as bad.
You've probably gone through all the above already. I've had ticking from loose spokes, dry bearings (usually a creak), and even from the stem where the handlebars clamp in - the latter cured by the application of another foot-pound of torque to the clamp bolt after inspection for snapped handlebar within - although I could hear that the ticking was from the stem.
It's not the spokes because changing the wheels and truing up the old ones made no difference. The handlebar stem bolts are nice and tight.
Thanks for your suggestions! Much appreciated. |
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Post by busaste on Apr 5, 2017 21:16:27 GMT
I hate ticking! ME TOO, IT DRIVES ME NUTS! My advice, first tighten everything. Over the last 53 years of riding road bikes, I have had ticking sounds (when pedaling) that were fixed by one or more of the following, tightening the bottom bracket spindle bolts DONE, tightening chain ring bolts DONE, replacing worn pedal bearings NOT DONE, replacing the derailleur pulleys NOT DONE, replacing the chain, NOT DONE straightening the derailleur hanger, straightening the derailleur cage, (IT DOES LOOK A BIT Off LINE) bending the front derailleur cable so that it clears pedals or wheels, DONE tightening the saddle mounting bolts, DONE tightening the handle bar stem DONE. Oh yes, not to forget, throwing away an Octalink crank set (never could fix it), tightening spokes, DONE and adjusting my helmet away from my glasses. Sounds when not pedaling, look to the wheels. I am certain that I have missed a few. My most common have been failing chain links (pin pulling out) and loose bottom bracket spindles. I wish you well in your search Jim
Thanks Jim! I've got fresh new things to try. I can't be far off a solution now. |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 6, 2017 2:25:40 GMT
Wow, you did all of those things and still have a click. A long shot, but might you have a crack in the bottom bracket shell or a tube pulling loose?
Good luck in your search
Jim
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Post by velocipete on Apr 6, 2017 6:40:00 GMT
Try cleaning and regreasing your seat post. It sounds daft, but when all else fails?
Best of luck!
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by Stella on Apr 9, 2017 19:44:19 GMT
I had that on one of my rides on the Isle of Wight. It drove me so nuts, and worried me, that I stopped and turned the bike upside down, investigated the frame, the forks, the hubs, the spokes, the saddle, all of it. Then, when I was sure I didn't have any cracks anywhere, I rode home and decided to service the headset.
That sorted the problem.
Ticking sounds now really alarm me, since my chrome fork disaster crack. Normally easy (to my ear) to determine.
I don't know if you checked the chain ring bolts? If one's loose, that'll do it.
Sometimes, lubing nipples helps, or a loose valve ring (the ones that screws onto the valve)
Otherwise, I'd suggest to literally take the bike apart (including pedals), clean, grease, refit/change.
Oh, and the quick release (rear) can tick, too, I found out. It's the little thing that screws onto the QR on the right hand sight, the big that flops about.
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Post by busaste on Apr 10, 2017 20:13:36 GMT
I had that on one of my rides on the Isle of Wight. It drove me so nuts, and worried me, that I stopped and turned the bike upside down, investigated the frame, the forks, the hubs, the spokes, the saddle, all of it. Then, when I was sure I didn't have any cracks anywhere, I rode home and decided to service the headset. Its nearly new. Could it have failed so soon?
That sorted the problem. Ticking sounds now really alarm me, since my chrome fork disaster crack. Normally easy (to my ear) to determine. I don't know if you checked the chain ring bolts? If one's loose, that'll do it. Checked, tightened.Sometimes, lubing nipples helps, Now, what I do in the privacy of my own home is of no concern to anyone else...  Otherwise, I'd suggest to literally take the bike apart (including pedals), clean, grease, refit/change. It's looking like this is the only way to sort it
Oh, and the quick release (rear) can tick, too, I found out. It's the little thing that screws onto the QR on the right hand sight, the big that flops about. Thanks to all the helpful suggestions! When I've cracked it I'll let you all know. Unless I lose my marbles first. Tick, tick...tick, tick, tick...tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, etc. Is this not the best forum ever?!  |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 11, 2017 3:05:49 GMT
Thanks to all the helpful suggestions! When I've cracked it I'll let you all know. Unless I lose my marbles first. Tick, tick...tick, tick, tick...tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, etc. Is this not the best forum ever?! Losing ones marbles is pretty much the norm for most of us  Cheers Jim |
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Post by jdl51 on Apr 11, 2017 5:12:03 GMT
When I come across an engine noise or in this case a bike noise that shouldn't be there, I try to isolate it by putting a long, thin tube or pipe to my ear and finding the source. Works quite well, in most cases. At least you can narrow down the area to a specific spot.
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Post by cusqueno on Apr 11, 2017 8:43:44 GMT
Thanks to all the helpful suggestions! When I've cracked it I'll let you all know. Unless I lose my marbles first. Tick, tick...tick, tick, tick...tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, etc. Is this not the best forum ever?! Losing ones marbles is pretty much the norm for most of us Cheers Jim If all else fails, think of your bike as Walter Mitty would - “Throw on the power lights! Rev her up to 8,500! We’re going through!” The pounding of the cylinders increased: ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa. |
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Post by Stella on May 1, 2017 8:21:22 GMT
Figured it out yet?
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Post by busaste on May 1, 2017 18:50:19 GMT
FINALLY found out what the sources (yes, I had two FFS) of the tic, tic, tic problem were! But, not before I had done this lot: Replaced the chainset Fitted a new chain Fitted new BB bearings (with a Viscount spindle) - the YST threadless unit was completely worn out after about 400 miles...  Fitted a new freewheel Removed/cleaned/regreased seat post and handlebar stem Checked/tightened everythingReplaced the pedals Replaced the wheels Trued the wheels/checked spokes Lubricated the spokes Swapped the saddle and seat post Checked for protruding cables, wobbly derailleurs, etc. That's a lot of work! The last job I did was to replace the chainset/BB bearings. That made a big difference but I was still left with a less frequent and quieter tic. To my amazement the YST BB bearings were absolutely trashed and were the main source of ticking. I didn't replace them sooner because they were one of the newest components on the bike. Perhaps there is a lesson there? As I wobbled off after fitting the chainset/BB bearings I noticed that the ticking stopped for a bit only to restart again when I leant into the saddle (Brooks B17). Standing on the pedals also eliminated the ticking. So there you go, it was the saddle which was responsible for the remaining quieter and more random tic . I can now create the tic simply by forcibly twisting the saddle when the bike is stationary. The Lambert seat post I am using struggles to accommodate the Brooks wider frame so a bit of fiddling is required to - hopefully - better sit (sic) the saddle rails in a tic free zone. I had previously swapped the saddle/seat post for one off my tick free bikes but it made no difference at the time. That's because the low mileage nearly new YST BB bearing was still in the frame at the time ticking away to its heart's content. If only I had removed that thing first... Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeem yer live and learn! |
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Post by Stella on May 1, 2017 19:14:22 GMT
Goodness, not that's a thorough process of elimination. Lots of work for nothing, but hey. Well done for finding the sources. Can be a bit of a pig sometimes, but who am I telling that? :-D
I find that the YST threadless BB ain't worth putting in. I'd fitted it for a customer (who's literally running his Viscount into the ground), using it to commute, for rides to Brighton, etc. It's a work horse for him.
He rode it for a little while and it came undone. I then ordered a threadless BB, cheap and cheerful from eBay, and he's had it for over half a year -- no problems. Need to find a link ... it was sort of a no name one, which I'll certainly try on my fixie, if I ever get it off the ground.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on May 2, 2017 17:39:55 GMT
I am glad that you found the Tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic. You should get over the aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhr in a year or so Sadly, future Tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tics will most likely cause an instantaneous aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhr relapse  Cheers Jim |
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Post by bowie on May 21, 2017 10:14:53 GMT
hahahaha Oh Busaste you poor thing. I had a ripper moment like that with the top of the front derailleur cable hitting the crank arm on rotation, but only on a few gears, took me ages to work out what was going on |
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Post by triitout on Jul 27, 2017 16:46:29 GMT
It was a good week of tic tic problem solving after convincing myself at one point that I didn't mind it. And then one day, I did mind it. My first choice is always the bottom bracket. Corrected too tight standard loose bearings setup on my Gran Sports and its back to nirvana! No luck with the same idea on my yellow Gran Touring so I switched out the pedals and goodbye tic tic! It's better to be lucky than good when it comes to my wrenching abilities.
Cheers,
Michael
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