Is it only me?

[mynydd]

i can't seem to cycle more than a couple of hundred miles without my bike starting to click from the bottom bracket area. I've posted about it at various times here in the past and received good advice.
I've dismantled the chain gear, cleaned it, greased it, and reassembled as I should, using all the correct torque settings (I even know what the pre load adjuster is thanks to this site) several times. I've changed the entire bb for a new one. Every time I reassemble it rides beautifully for a week or so then click, click, click............
I've had lots of bikes in the past and never ever had a single issue like this.

I don't mind fettling, I quite enjoy it, but the frequency is really beginning to annoy me. Any ideas what I may be doing wrong that I haven't tried? Or could there be an issue with that part of the frame? I've had these issues since I bought it new. It's a specialized Tricross sport.
Thanks

 

[User6179]

My BB clicked from new till about 4000 miles then decided to stop clicking , currently at 8000 miles , drives you crazy but being a tight arse I put up with it .
Try this site http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html

 

[Drago]

Does the BB itself require refacing?

 

[mynydd]

I'm not sure what that means........

 

[Drago]

View: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fvgWC3QAGbA


If its not been faced correctly at the factory then the 2 sets of bearings will be fractionally misaligned with respect to each other and it causes premature BB wear.

I'm a fat heavy git and ride in all weathers and don't suffer BB problems, so I reckon your frame might be at fault.

 

[Trull]

I'll second Drago on the refacing of your BB, your local LBS will have the right tool, and also the knowledge to spot if its not needed.

 

[S.Giles]

I'm not sure if this pertains to the current discussion, but all my BB woes disappeared when I switched to a bike with a sealed-bearing BB. I don't think I would go back to a cup-and-cone BB in a hurry now. In fact, I recently had to ride my old bike (the new one had a punctured tyre), and the racket from the BB was awful. I'm guessing that most members of CC made the switch long ago, though.

Steve

 

[User6179]

I'm not sure if this pertains to the current discussion, but all my BB woes disappeared when I switched to a bike with a sealed-bearing BB. I don't think I would go back to a cup-and-cone BB in a hurry now. In fact, I recently had to ride my old bike (the new one had a punctured tyre), and the racket from the BB was awful. I'm guessing that most members of CC made the switch long ago, though.

Steve

Think most would of switched over in the 70s

 

[S.Giles]

I had a feeling I was somewhat behind the times on this one!

 

[screenman]

My bottom bracket noise stopped when I tightened the saddle.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Mine stops when I put a dab of grease on the cleat of my right shoe or tighten the BB not holding the chainset on (these keeps coming a little lose, not sure if it's because its new), still haven't worked out which is the main culprit.

 

[moo]

Mine stops creaking when it's wet. The drivetrain also becomes magically silent. Maybe I should hose it down before leaving

 

[young Ed]

My bottom bracket noise stopped when I tightened the saddle.

indeed, mysterious bike noises are very difficult to trace and often come from a completely different place to that you think
Cheers Ed

 

[Drago]

Such as the car.

 

[Trull]

Its worth giving your cleats a quick squirt of dry lube, SPDs can transmit the noise to the BB very effectively, as I recently experienced *after* replacing the bearings of one ultra-torque BB...