Another mystery noise

[huskerdont]

I was getting a maddening clicking sound with every pedal revolution on my everyday road bike. Always at around 11 o’clock toward the beginning of the stroke on the left side. It sounded like it was coming from the crank area, but I couldn’t find anything or duplicate it on the stand. So I used a different bike in the snow this week and still heard the noise. WTF, could it be the shoes? I wore different shoes and the noise was still there. Then I placed my hand on my left knee for some reason and could feel a little pop occurring at the same time as the noise. Not sure what the maintenance solution to this is or how much it’s going to cost me, but I’m hoping it will go away in warm weather. It’s really annoying, and I refuse to ride with earbuds in.

Topic

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

You may have had a Metamorphosis moment and turned into a cricket?

[Crickey7]

Sing more loudly.

[Vicegrip]

@huskerdont 154059 wrote:

I was getting a maddening clicking sound with every pedal revolution on my everyday road bike. Always at around 11 o’clock toward the beginning of the stroke on the left side. It sounded like it was coming from the crank area, but I couldn’t find anything or duplicate it on the stand. So I used a different bike in the snow this week and still heard the noise. WTF, could it be the shoes? I wore different shoes and the noise was still there. Then I placed my hand on my left knee for some reason and could feel a little pop occurring at the same time as the noise. Not sure what the maintenance solution to this is or how much it’s going to cost me, but I’m hoping it will go away in warm weather. It’s really annoying, and I refuse to ride with earbuds in.

I would be inclined to tinker with my cleat and or seat adjustments. Clicks and pops in joints are often cavitation and not good for you in repetitive format.

[huskerdont]

@Vicegrip 154062 wrote:

I would be inclined to tinker with my cleat and or seat adjustments. Clicks and pops in joints are often cavitation and not good for you in repetitive format.

Might be worth a shot, but the saddle on the gravel bike is a good bit lower than the road bike, and since it happened on both, it shouldn’t be the saddle height. With regard to the cleats, the position is right below the ball of the foot, and I have the bike fit wedges in on the right leg, which is the shorter one. I could try another fitting, I suppose. I think it’s probably because of the knee surgery a couple of years back and the remaining knee problems that weren’t addressed. Also, equipment age.

[bentbike33]

@huskerdont 154059 wrote:

I was getting a maddening clicking sound with every pedal revolution on my everyday road bike. Always at around 11 o’clock toward the beginning of the stroke on the left side. It sounded like it was coming from the crank area, but I couldn’t find anything or duplicate it on the stand. So I used a different bike in the snow this week and still heard the noise. WTF, could it be the shoes? I wore different shoes and the noise was still there. Then I placed my hand on my left knee for some reason and could feel a little pop occurring at the same time as the noise. Not sure what the maintenance solution to this is or how much it’s going to cost me, but I’m hoping it will go away in warm weather. It’s really annoying, and I refuse to ride with earbuds in.

You might try adjusting the angle of the cleat (i.e., toe-in or toe-out), especially if you’ve had a “traumatic dismount” lately. Cleats can get discombobulated by a quick exit that does not quite allow complete release rotation, and the angle of contact can make a big difference especially for knees. Also, you might try IT-band stretches.

[DismalScientist]

Pedal spindle needs to be cleaned and repacked?
Grit and whatever might only show up with force being applied and hence not observed with the bike on a stand.

[cvcalhoun]

@huskerdont 154063 wrote:

Also, equipment age.

Yeah, I’ve noticed that about my knees. They break down, they’re out of warranty, and no one carries the spare parts for them any more.

[Author]

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