Just got this bike probably a week ago online, and noticed that yesterday it made a clank whenever I pedal feels like it skipped a beat and clanked if that makes sense?
Pedaling feels like a clank ?
byu/Puzzleheaded_Rain874 inbikewrench
by Puzzleheaded_Rain874
4 Comments
Does it feel and sound like that when you’re actually pedaling under load or does it only do that when you spin it?
Most bikes I’ve ridden have done this to a small degree. People don’t pedal in a perfect, smooth circle with even force output the entire time. Instead, we sort of punch with each leg. This causes a brief moment where the wheel itself is “coasting” until you punch down with the other leg. When you do so, the clunk you’re feeling is the pawls in the rear hub re-engaging abruptly. I think how bad it is depends on the hub. I had a trek marlin that did this REALLY bad, and my Marin Rift Zone did it a little until I upgraded to a high-engagement hub. My dad’s Giant Talon and my wife’s Liv Tempt barely do it at all.
How is the chain tension? This looks like a BMX/single speed and if the chain is too tight it can bind at the tightest spot and do stuff like this
Does it happen with the crank timing or the chain timing? If it happens with the pedals in the same spot every time you know it’s a crank issue. If it happens less, with the pedals in different spots, it the chain. If it happens more, it’s the hub. You may have a bad link in the chain, or a bad tooth. It sounds a bit much to not worry about. I hate noises like that, noises happen, but I have to know why.