Annoying click!
 

Annoying click!

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 FOG
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I recently updated the drive train on my e-bike and ever since it has had a really annoying click which seems to be coming from chainring/pedal area. It has new mech, chain ring, chain , shifter and cable. Being an e-bike it hasn’t got a bottom bracket as such and cranks certainly have no movement . The click only appears under load and is absent when spinning on the work stand. I have changed pedals, chainring bolts and have greased and torqued the motor bolts. Nothing is catching, nothing is obviously wrong but it is driving me crackers. Any suggestions please?

 
Posted : 06/07/2025 2:53 pm
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Have you tried turning it off then turning it on again?

 
Posted : 06/07/2025 3:37 pm
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Knees?

 
Posted : 06/07/2025 3:59 pm
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Shoelace on the crank arm?

 
Posted : 06/07/2025 4:06 pm
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Seat rails? Mine are clicky but it did at first make me think bottom bracket area. 

 
Posted : 06/07/2025 4:10 pm
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I’d second saddle rails. Any play? Also chainring bolts but you’ve replaced them. Not pedals either (my most recent click was m the track bike). 

 
Posted : 06/07/2025 5:09 pm
 FOG
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Seat feels firm but I’ll take it off and refit. I dropped the post and did some ridiculous bowlegged pedalling to see better if something was catching. The only other thing is that the new chainring is a cheapo Snail off eBay but I have spoken to other people who have used them with no problems.

 
Posted : 06/07/2025 5:32 pm
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Rear brake rotor?

Freehub bearing?

 
Posted : 06/07/2025 11:18 pm
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My guess is dry chainring bolts. Remove, regrease and ensure tightened. 

 
Posted : 07/07/2025 1:14 am
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I had a similar sound and after a lot of investigation to turned out to be seat rails - worth a look I'd say.

It took me a long time to find the click, as at various times it would sound like it was coming from the handlebars, the bb, the pedals ... anywhere except the seat.

 
Posted : 07/07/2025 11:02 am
 Oms
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Mine does it occasionally (granted, completely different bike) - I isolated it by pushing down on the saddle to simulate pedal bob.

Appears to be where the cables are routed into the frame near the BB area - like a tiny creak/click. I tried to get a brush in there which improved things slightly, but there's 1000 miles of crap in there.

Currently procrastinating RE opening an internally-routed can of hornets.😂

 
Posted : 07/07/2025 11:17 am
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Posted by: thols2

Knees?

*Opens thread to check*

Nods in approval.

 

 
Posted : 07/07/2025 11:20 am
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Posted by: wheelsonfire1

Shoelace on the crank arm?

This. Realising the end of my shoelace was flicking the frame when pedalling was a big mix of relief and frustration, having chased that stupid click for weeks 🤣

 

 
Posted : 07/07/2025 1:12 pm
 FOG
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Well I have tried all the suggestions above including a grease nipple behind  the knee with no success. Seat was tight and it still clicked when pedalling standing up. Crank bolts which were new were removed, greased and retorqued. Nothing is catching, tried a different chainring, different pedals and no difference. My next shot is a new chain. After that I have no idea, earplugs probably 

 
Posted : 08/07/2025 10:33 pm
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Try tightening all of your spokes quarter of a turn - worked for me recently

 
Posted : 09/07/2025 5:51 am
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Is it a trek exe, they click when motor bolts or motor compensation bolts aren’t quite right

 

 

 
Posted : 09/07/2025 7:00 am
 Oms
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Annoying, but don't give up. A click could be a baby creak of sorts...

You could try a can of spray lube - trying to isolate the problem by spraying individual bolts/fittings/links etc one by one, checking if it gets quieter after an application.

 

 
Posted : 09/07/2025 7:15 am
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Have you eliminated the possibility it's coming from the bars or headset? 

 
Posted : 09/07/2025 8:09 am
fazzini reacted