tick tick TICK

[uk elephant]

My bike is ticking and it is driving me mad trying to figure out what it is. Any of you have any suggestions? Happens when I'm pedalling (not when I'm coasting), one tick per pedal stroke as the pedal reaches ~4 or 5 oclock. Sometimes it'll miss a tick or two. And it happens in all the gears, but not if I move the pedals very carefully or when I'm not on the bike. Took the bike to the shop today, but it wouldn't tick for the shop guy so he couldn't figure out what the problem might be. It is just such a frustrating noice and seems to be getting louder, or maybe that's just because I am paying more attention. Kind of like a watch ticking when you are trying to sleep. Any suggestions as to where to start looking for a problem/solution? I have just replaced the chain, rear cassette, rear mech and one of the front cogs due to wear and the noice still didn't go away.

[mimitabby]

is it Campy or Shimano?

sometimes if the front derailleur is not just right, it will click.

[Eden]

Most cycling shoes have velcro closures these days but... the last time I had an intermittant tick it was a shoe lace (my mt bike shoes tie and have velcros) hitting the crank arm once around....... (drove me nuts until I figured it out and started making sure the shoelaces were tucked well in)

Of course it could be other things. Loose bottom bracket maybe? or something else that hits the crank arm.

[BethinPR]

I had this same problem last year, and someone told me it was because I was not using the most efficient gear for whatever speed/hill etc I was riding. Usually if I switched to an easier gear the ticking went away. I don't know if that truly solved the problem, but it helped with the weird noise.

[Batbike]

i had a tick that sounds like yours -- spent MONTHS trying to figure it out -- replaced and relubed and repaired all that was recommended, only to discover that my first instinct was correct -- the rear hub needed new bearings. now i am tick free!

[DebW]

Didn't you change pedals recently? Did it happen both before and after the pedal change? These kinds of noises can drive you nuts and be extremely hard to find. My last noise turned out (I think) to be a slight twist in the chain. Your noise happens only under pedaling pressure, so maybe something that deflects under tension.

[DarcyInOregon]

I had an equivalent noise too. The LBS replaced a washer (?) in the right pedal crank and that eliminated the noise. I hope I called the metal thing the right name. It is round, flat and with a hole in the middle. The one I had was worn out.

Darcy

[margo49]

I had that and found out it was the tail end of the cable to the front derailleur geting clocked by the pedal as it rotated. Bent it back outta the way and voila!