Wheel Ticking.

RD cage too close?

Russ Reynolds said:

I went for a ride at the weekend and the bike has developed a ticking from the rear wheel when it's under load. I checked for weet-bix cards and small brown paper packages with clocks attached but nothing. You would swear it was a cable end ticking in the spokes, but isn't. The spokes are clear from any obstruction and the tick is more rapid as the speed increases. It's got me stuffed.
Anyone have any thoughts ?

Just a thought: Crack around a spoke hole/eyelet and when the spokes pulls/relaxes something moves.
I would take a good light and inspect around all the rim with special attention to the spoke-nipple attachment points.
or
It could be a loose spoke.

Xsmoker said:

RD cage too close?

I thought that may be the case but isn't. Happens in all gears. Thanks anyway.

daveornee said:

Just a thought: Crack around a spoke hole/eyelet and when the spokes pulls/relaxes something moves.
I would take a good light and inspect around all the rim with special attention to the spoke-nipple attachment points.
or
It could be a loose spoke.

All spokes and connections seem OK but a loose spoke may be the best guess. There are multiple ticks per revolution though and it doesn't tick on the flat or when there is no load. I'm going to have a ride tonight and count the ticks per rev. That may narrow things down.
You do know don't you that if it finishes up being something really embaressing, this thread is immediately dead.

My BB has started clicking - it's got issues - but it took me a while to figure out where the 'click' was coming from. Being aluminium, the frame seems to throw the clicking sound all over the damn bike! I could hear it, I just couldn't put my finger on it.

gm

Are the rims pinned or welded?

If they are pinned,
perhaps the pin is not seated or flaired fully.

Unbelievably said:

Are the rims pinned or welded?

If they are pinned,
perhaps the pin is not seated or flaired fully.

Welded. Any other thoughts ?

Could be the ball bearings? Mabye you got a solvent for cleaning your bike in them? Just a thought.

I feel your pain though, anytime I hear a squeak let alone a tick, it drives me crazy until I get ride of it.

I got it Russ. Does it sound like rice crispies? Maybe it's not your bike at all, maybe it's this

Your problem sounds like the same one I get twice a year: rear quick release needs a good cleaning and a minute amount of lube where the arm swings. I nearly had my bike apart last summer before figuring this one out. In fact, it started again yesterday.

Good luck

velomane said:

Your problem sounds like the same one I get twice a year: rear quick release needs a good cleaning and a minute amount of lube where the arm swings. I nearly had my bike apart last summer before figuring this one out. In fact, it started again yesterday.

Good luck

Thanks mate. I'll have a look tonight. I feel like I've spread an contagous disease. I like your diagnosis better that the rest. It's alot cheaper than cracked rims and spokes.

Xsmoker said:

I got it Russ. Does it sound like rice crispies? Maybe it's not your bike at all, maybe it's this

I hope not. No Rice Crispies, Coco Pops or spiders. How come the kid still has a smile on his face. Mate I'd be in a straight jacket with dribble out the corner of my mouth.

Russ Reynolds said:

I hope not. No Rice Crispies, Coco Pops or spiders. How come the kid still has a smile on his face. Mate I'd be in a straight jacket with dribble out the corner of my mouth.

I had a problem with my front wheel a few years ago where I would get a fast ticking sound when I leaned the bike to the left. I couldn't track down the sound, but a mechanic lubed each of the eyelets at the junction if the rim which resolved the noise problem. I didn't find any cracked eyelets and the wheel has done fine since that time.

I've got Mavic Ksyzium SL wheels that will develop "ticking" when I sprint. For some reason the bearings get loose. 10 min at my LBS and the ticking is gone for another 1000 miles.

BTW, it has happened to both my front and back wheel. 3000 miles ago I weighed 185 and now I am about 150.

Cheers! BIZ