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Mystery click puzzle.

I have a Specialized carbon "expert with 12000 miles on the clock. A creak started appearing when applying power to the pedals. It changed to a loud click and as it was in sync with pedal rotation I assumed it was bottom bracket related. My LBS fitted new bearings, possibly against his better judgement but he had tried other solutions first Tightening pedals chairing etc to no avail
I still have the click but it only appear towards the end off a long journey ( 80 miles or more) and it still seems associated with a slight creak.
I'm stumped. Any suggestions other than earplugs or new knees?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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9 comments

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simonmb | 4 years ago
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Mine appeared under load, every ride. Looked everywhere. Eventually figured out it came from a loose screw in the derailleur hanger. 

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Jimnm | 4 years ago
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Try changing the pedals, I had a similar thing like that. 

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henryb | 4 years ago
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Often, things that sounds like bottom bracket creaks are caused by slightly loose chainring bolts (the 5 bolts connecting the chainring to the crank). I wasn't sure from your post whether you've already tried tightening these.

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Hirsute | 4 years ago
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My noise came under load, I changed the BB, swapped pedals.
Eventually, I tightened the rear qr and the noise disappeared. I think there was a slight amount of play in the rear mech which has a group of 5 and 6 individual sprockets.

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ktache | 4 years ago
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There is something weird in the design of the bicycle in that all noise seems to be coming from the bottom bracket area, even when the cause may be quite distant.

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antigee | 4 years ago
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pedal bearings? swop out pedals - pretty sure your bike shop will lend you some if not got spares as changed the BB with no result - agree on seastpost also saddle clamp(s) grit seems to get in there

...oddest click ever had took me a while to find but fortunately before the end of the ride - metal tab on jacket zip was tip tapping on the top tubesad

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ktache | 4 years ago
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A lot of my creaking comes from the seatpost.  Remove, clean and grease/carbon stuff, and the fastener.  More important in metal on metal interfaces as stops binding.

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AfterPeak | 4 years ago
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Check shoes/cleats. I spent ages trying to find my click and it was actually the sole of my shoe which had detached or let water in.

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HarryTrauts | 4 years ago
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It really could be so many things.  trial and error is likely to be the way forward.  

I had a similar problem and eventually traced it to my rear wheel.  Taking it out and putting it back in solves the problem.  Simply loosening is and doing it up again does nothing.  It has to come out. 

I'm not suggesting this will solve your problem.  It's just to illustrate how, just because the noise comes form one place, it may have absolutly nothing to  do with anything in that area.  Check the headset and bars, too.

Good luck!

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