CREO SL clicking/snapping noise while pedaling

[cacique]

I have been experiencing a noise while pedaling that sounds like the chain snapping from being caught and occurs on the same location (hard to pinpoint so is similar to a clicking noise); about the two o'clock through the 4 o'clock on the left pedal. Very distinct as three clicks. I can feel some kind of impact on the pedal. The noise is louder at slow speed; power is off and becomes less evident with increasing rpm (speed). The bike is a CREO SL Turbo EVO.

I reviewed similar threads, and I have essentially done all suggestions (new chain, new pulleys, tighten all screws, lubed every suggested joint) and now seems to be worse than when I started. The noise cannot be replicated when on a rack with no weight on the bike, it pedals quite smoothly and very quiet. Can't see how the motor is the problem since I rarely use power and there is no noise when on the rack. I've tried to see if the chainring has specific misalignment on the given locations since they are so predictable but does not seem to have any damage. Appreciate any additional suggestions as I run out of alternatives (hoping to avoid the shop).

 

[Base]

Does the creaking also happen when you are out of the saddle? Same for the handlebar, does the creaking stop when you are barely touching the handlebar? And did you pul the pedals of an re-attache them with anti-seize paste on them?

 

[stompandgo]

What Base said.

 

[cacique]

Thanks for the suggestions. The noise is still there when not touching the handlebar but does stop when not on the saddle. And I don't have anti-seize paste but I did try again to take them off, clean the threads and apply grease. The noise is still there. Would like to understand what it may be since it seems strange to me that it is so predictable only when riding the bike.

 

[Base]

either the seatpost needs some more anti seize or carbon paste in the seat tube or the saddle needs to be re-mounted. thats the first one to check. than if the creaking is still there, the seattube will swing a bit, so if you have something bolted on to that that can creak (doubt it with this bike) nd check the torque on the drive-unit to frame connection bolts, in the manula there should be the torque specs.

if that doesn't work, use the water spray test, spray water on the part you tink is creaking, ride a few meters and you know if its gone, the water wil penetrate and act shortly as lubricant. when the creaking stops at a certain area, there is the part which needs some grease/anti seize and/or torque. And yes always fun to find the creak in such a bike... spend a lott of time on findinf some for customers bikes.

 

[stompandgo]

Out of the saddle is the clue. It's either the seatpost, or the saddle rails or the rail/saddle base connection, most likely the latter. Mark the position of your saddle, then swap to another. Any saddle. Then go for a ride. My bet is that the rails are loose from wear and the saddle must be replaced.

 

[cacique]

Thanks again. The seat was the major culprit. I'll do the seat post suggestion and the re-torquing of bolts. The noise is now to how it started me on this trek, after about one hour of riding, a kind of grinding noise/vibration is felt on the pedals at about the same rotation but is much subdued that before.

Still a rookie at this biking thing (hadn't biked since my childhood) and new to these idiosyncrasies. Unexpected noises drive me crazy and obsess about taking care of them . Thanks again.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Still a rookie at this biking thing (hadn't biked since my childhood) and new to these idiosyncrasies. Unexpected noises drive me crazy and obsess about taking care of them .

Not a rookie thing at all. Abnormal bike noises drive everyone crazy. And as we've seen in several recent posts, it's common for even experienced folks to be totally wrong about where the sounds are coming from.

Recently spent some quality time catastrophizing over the sudden onset of a clattering sound on my Vado SL. After much careful observation and testing and a good bit of thought, concluded that it was the mid-drive motor. Gulp.

Well, it was a freehub body in serious need of lube — maybe an assembly error that finally caught up with me. Long way from there to the motor!

Lesson finally learned: Still best to tell a bike mechanic where you think a sound's coming from, but only with utmost humility.