• Notice regarding image hosts and attachments. See here.

Road Cycling Essentials

Status
Not open for further replies.
olv said:
Not so good is my bike (Felt Z6) has started making a funny noise when I'm out of the saddle on my right peddle. In about the 3 o'clock and 5 o'clock positions if i'm pushing hard I get a creak/clicking noise. It only happens if I'm trying and is smooth and silent when pedalling normally. I've no idea what it could be, bottom bracket? Chainset?
Click to expand...

Could be a multitude of things but you are on the right tracks. Last year I had exactly the same noise coming from my Pinarello and like you, it only really happened when I was out of the saddle. Turned out to be the BB. Had a new one fitted at the bike's service and it was fine. Another thing to check is your pedals as they can also exhibit similar noises.
 
Finally all my Christmas/New year transactions/payments went through so I could see what I have left for the month. Now able to purchase some essentials. Wiggle and Amazon orders placed...

Wiggle:

dhb Corefit Long Sleeve Round Neck Base Layer Black/Grey Extra Large x 1 £13.22

Continental Quality Road Long Valve Inner Tube Presta 52mm 700x32-47 Tour 28 x 2 £5.51

Topeak Peak DX II Master Blaster Mini Pump Black £9.00

LifeLine Tyre Levers Black £1.34

dhb Corefit Short Sleeve Round Neck Base Layer Black Extra Large £6.75

dhb Corefit Short Sleeve Round Neck Base Layer Red Extra Large £6.75

Rema Tip Top TT04 Sport Puncture Repair Kit x 2 £3.60

Total
£46.17


Amazon:

7dayshop High Power 3 Watt CREE LED Front Bicycle Flashlight / Bike Light with mount - Blue x2 £10.68

Bell Ukon Titanium Uni-Size Adult Sport Helmet £17.08

Backlight Smart £5.33

Total
£33.09
 
I've got a Fibre Flare at last :D

I'm really liking it. There are some pretty damn bright rear lights out there but this one has much better visibility in my opinion. I like the 360 degree visibility and I like the way it makes my whole bag flash, or whatever it is attached to. I think for drivers this is much more effective than one superbright light, because it adds a lot of perspective.

olv said:
Not so good is my bike (Felt Z6) has started making a funny noise when I'm out of the saddle on my right peddle. In about the 3 o'clock and 5 o'clock positions if i'm pushing hard I get a creak/clicking noise. It only happens if I'm trying and is smooth and silent when pedalling normally. I've no idea what it could be, bottom bracket? Chainset?
Click to expand...
A couple of things that have done that on my bikes:
-Cottered cranks; pretty sure you won't have these, but the cotter pins work loose and you have to hammer them back in and nip them up occasionally.
-Crank bolts; more likely on your bike. Even if they are super-tight when assembled, the cranks bed in and the alloy yields a little. The crank makes the creaking noise as a result, you only hear it when you're standing on it, and they probably need a tighten. More common on square-taper cranks I would expect.
-Bottom bracket; again, it is tight when it is put in but can work loose and may need a nip up.
 
olv said:
Ahh, thanks for that, I'll switch back to my old shoes and see if it does the same thing. Were they Sidi shoes per chance?

And InsomniaCalls, I think the commute to work would be infinitely more interesting if what you're alluding to was true :p
Click to expand...

Mine were some DHB mountain biking shoes. Good luck!
 
Draeger said:
Could be a multitude of things but you are on the right tracks. Last year I had exactly the same noise coming from my Pinarello and like you, it only really happened when I was out of the saddle. Turned out to be the BB. Had a new one fitted at the bike's service and it was fine. Another thing to check is your pedals as they can also exhibit similar noises.
Click to expand...

Jonny69 said:
A couple of things that have done that on my bikes:
-Cottered cranks; pretty sure you won't have these, but the cotter pins work loose and you have to hammer them back in and nip them up occasionally.
-Crank bolts; more likely on your bike. Even if they are super-tight when assembled, the cranks bed in and the alloy yields a little. The crank makes the creaking noise as a result, you only hear it when you're standing on it, and they probably need a tighten. More common on square-taper cranks I would expect.
-Bottom bracket; again, it is tight when it is put in but can work loose and may need a nip up.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help. It's bad of me but I never took my bike in for its 6 week service when it was new so nothing has been tightened (bar brakes) since new. I'll give everything a tighten up tonight.

Are bottom brackets considered consumables or would is it likely to be covered under warranty as it was new in July?
 
olv said:
Thanks for your help. It's bad of me but I never took my bike in for its 6 week service when it was new so nothing has been tightened (bar brakes) since new. I'll give everything a tighten up tonight.

Are bottom brackets considered consumables or would is it likely to be covered under warranty as it was new in July?
Click to expand...

I'd just take it back where you got it and ask them to regrease it. You'd be very surprised at how dry the threads are out the box. If you can feel play in the cranks then the BB is worn but creaking under load would usually be dry threads in my experience.

My BB went on my cannondale caad 8,CSG only warranty them for 90 days. Some other companies,cheaper ones, can be as little as 30 days. That was a no name square taper.

If yours is a shimano or any other brand the warranty is with that supplier but the shop should still be able to ask. Postage and labour to remove/refit may be asked for though.
 
M520's arrived in the post today, i can't believe how well crafted they are for less than £20! Waiting for Shimano MT23's to show up then i'll be doing my first cycle on SPDs... gulp.

Any tips or particularly useful guides on correctly fitting the cleats to the shoe?
 
I was well advised to not cycle the 5 miles home through floods and high winds after work this evening. I ignored them. My gear is still drying in front of the open fire :D

I'm still wearing shorts too. I couldn't feel the rain hitting my legs after a while but I could feel the lactic acid working away. Weird feeling. Not ridden in a few weeks due to procrastination and other things. Still, even this weather is not a put off at all, I prefer the excitement and challenge of it all.
 
Streeteh said:
For anyone who's looking to get into SPD cycling, Chain reaction have a good discount on M520s making them a no brainer:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3759

Now i just need to decide on some shoes. Any got any recommendations on cheap ones that are also ok to walk in? Don't want to have to bring a pair of shoes with me if i pop to the shops etc.

[EDIT]

Leaning towards these:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/ro...base&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Googlebase
Click to expand...

Can't go wrong if you follow the instructions that come withthe shoes and pedals it is very simple. And people reccommend you set the clips to the loosest adjustment and gradually tighten as you get comfortable or need the extra tightness. And he careful walking in the shoes as i have shoes witht e same tread and they have next to no grip when the going is wet.
 
Shimano shoes, to buy size up or nay?

I'm a size 8 and fairly narrow feet, so fit into most shoes ok.. Can either buy size 8 or 9 as they don't do half sizes. Are they generally a tight fit? Leaning towards size 8 at the minute!

Looking to get these - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m077-spd-mtb-shoes/

Edit: After reading some reviews, I think I'll go for 9. Most people are buying a size bigger and they fit ok. Can always wear some extra socks since it's pretty cold anyway!
 
Last edited:
DIABLO said:
Can't go wrong if you follow the instructions that come withthe shoes and pedals it is very simple. And people reccommend you set the clips to the loosest adjustment and gradually tighten as you get comfortable or need the extra tightness. And he careful walking in the shoes as i have shoes witht e same tread and they have next to no grip when the going is wet.
Click to expand...

OK thanks. The instructions that came with the pedals were quite brief, but i would assume the ones with the shoes will be more in-depth seeing as they're both Shimano, they must have the instructions somewhere!

I've already loosened the adjuster all the way due to seeing previous suggestions in here but thanks for the heads up.

Will also be careful to avoid the wet patches in supermarkets, can imagine that being quite disastrous; smooth floor + no grip.
 
Yep, raining this morning and high winds. Unpredictable so I came in by tram and I'll run home.
 
I've conveniently had an excuse to not cycle for about the past 2 working weeks. Today my new laptop arrives at work so I need to take the bus to get it home. Yesterday I had a meeting so had to wear a suit and bring in a bunch of stuff. That kind of thing.

Tomorrow I have no excuse... :eek:
 
Yeah i'm regretting cycling in as it means i've got to get back. The weather looks far better later though so hopefully i won't get hit by a massive gust as an articulated lorry is passing again.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom