I’m looking for some advice on an issue with my bike. I bought it about a month ago, and after 10-15 days of smooth use, I started noticing an intermittent noise coming from the rear. Here’s what I’ve observed so far:
The noise only happens when I’m riding and pedaling hard. It’s not there when I pedal lightly or spin the wheels while off the bike.
It’s most noticeable in gear 4 (out of 7), though I’m not entirely sure it’s gear-specific.
I’ve checked the bolts, but tightening them didn’t solve the problem.
The sound persists whether I’m sitting or standing while riding.
I had the bike inspected by a professional, and they suggested it could be related to the gear parts or another rear component. However, since I didn’t buy the bike from them, they were hesitant to dive deeper into the issue. They mentioned that these types of problems can be hard to pinpoint.
The bike was purchased online, so reaching out to the manufacturer hasn’t been straightforward either.
I’m at a bit of a loss here. The bike is only a month old, and I’m worried the problem could worsen if left unresolved. Should I:
Push harder for warranty service from the manufacturer?
Take it to another professional for a second opinion (and potentially pay out of pocket)?
Try some DIY troubleshooting (if so, where should I start)?
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Let me know if you need more details or if there’s something specific I should try.
EDIT : Added imgur video link
by mrmongoooose
4 Comments
How often does it click?
* Every second or third pedal stroke – it’s something with the chain.
* Once per pedal stroke – it’s the crank or pedals or bottom bracket or seat or shoe laces or frame or knee.
* Three or more times per pedal stroke, – it’s something on the wheel. Since it only happens when pedaling hard, be very suspicious that maybe the wheel is slightly loose and skews to the left under tension to rub on the frame near your left ankle.
I bet you shift cable has settled in and you need to slightly tune the derailleur
New bikes have a breaking period in the beginning during which the cables do a bit of stretching and the brakes conform to the braking surface. Bikes shops always make the first tune up free because of this issue and some offer lifetime service. There is very often no savings by buying online and for many it is much costlier.
If you want to learn to do bike mechanics, then there are plenty of tutorials and books, but if you want to ride right away, then take it into a shop and pay a professional for proper adjustments.
sounds like rear derailleur needs some adjustment. totally normal for a new bike. the cables are settling into place and need to be slightly tightened… gut instinct says unscrew the barrel adjuster screw 1/2 a turn or so.