Why Does My Mountain Bike Click

A common reason for a clicking sound is the derailleur. The derailleur is the part of the bike that shifts gears, and when it moves it can make a clicking sound. There are many other reasons for a clicking sound, but this is one of the most common.

A mountain bike’s chain may also make a clicking noise when it’s not properly lubricated or when you’re pedaling too hard.

Why do mountain bikes click when not pedaling?

The noise you are hearing is the pawls, which are spring loaded teeth. These teeth allow the hub to move forward when you stop pedaling, by moving out of the way.^[1]

Why does my bike make a popping noise when I pedal?

First thing’s first, check to make sure your cranks are tightened to the proper torque specifications. If your cranks are loose, sometimes they will make popping or creaking noises. If your cranks feel tight, follow the steps below. Remove your chain from the chain ring by loosening the tension on the derailleur.^[2]

Are bikes supposed to make a clicking sound?

What is this? A clicking noise is the most common sound your bike can make. It can be due to the rider pedaling fast, and the chain wants to jump up and down the rear cassette to accommodate the demands of the pedal. To identify the sound, you can slow down from pedaling and observe whether you still hear a sound.^[3]

Why is my bike making a knocking noise?

A loose pedal or pedals can make a “ticking” noise at the bottom of the pedal stroke. This ticking noise can also be from a worn pedal or bearing. 3 Headset: A loose headset will sometimes make a knocking sound when the rider stands up during a climb, in a sprint, or under heavy braking.^[4]

Why is my MTB crank creaking?

Cranks. The most common cause of creaking is the crank being loose on the spindle. Remove the crank bolts, lubricate the threads and under the bolt head, and reinstall. Tighten the bolts to the manufacturer recommended torque.^[5]

Why do expensive bikes click?

“First of all, the wheels on expensive bikes tend to be very light, sometimes hollow, so the noise of the freewheel is amplified as it vibrates down the spokes to the rims,” chimes in Andrew Laws, a cycle blogger and former editor of the bike news site VeloBalls.com.^[6]

Why is my bottom bracket clicking?

Corrosion can form between the seatpost and frame, making a clicking sound. If an ungreased seatpost stays in the frame too long, it’ll become stuck, so make sure you do this every so often. Seat: Tighten the seat binder bolt and grease the seat rails and clamp bolts.^[7]

Why does my crank click?

There are multiple components that can contribute to a clicking or grinding sound in your drive train in addition to the bottom bracket, including the chain, the pedals, the derailleur and the rear hub. That said, the symptoms you describe seem to indicate a problem with the pedal bearings or the bottom bracket.^[8]

Can I use wd40 on bike chain?

WD-40 is a great bike chain lube water based lubricant and will not only lubricate the chain well, but will also keep it rust and corrosion free.^[9]

What is the loudest MTB hub?

The Torch is the loudest of the 3. Hope Pro4 are loud followed by the DT 350 with a 54t ratchet upgrade.^[10]

Why does my rear bike wheel click?

Clicking from the back wheel while pedaling can come from the drivetrain. Specifically, it can come from a “stretched” chain and/or worn rear cogs. The worn parts no longer mesh together correctly and can make a clicking sound while pedaling, particularly when you push hard on the pedals.^[11]

Do MTB hubs make a difference?

Hubs that are “louder” usually have more engagement points. This means your drivetrain picks up faster, so less energy is lost. Hubs that have sealed cartridge bearings or needle bearings usually never need to be replaced, they’re far stronger and stay cleaner.^[12]