Was I expecting too much from my £350 bike?

[Yellow Saddle]

on the six speed blocks the wheel bearings were inboard and there was a section of unsupported axle between the wheel bearings and the frame, the axle could break or bend at that point.

Even worse on 8-speed blocks. For those, the frame was 4mm wider hence the axle has an even longer unsupported section.

 

[johnnyb47]

I may be stating the obvious but when i thought my bottom bracket was on its way out by its annoying clicking it merely turned out to be a loose saddle that wasn't clamped up tightly on the saddle rails. With each stroke of the peddles i would hear a clicking noise which made me think it was the bottom bracket but it was actually my shifting weight on the saddle that causing it to move slightly creating the annoying sound.

 

[screenman]

Used carefully they are fine, used carelessly they can.

Similar to cars don’t kill people, careless drivers do.

In which case it is not the tool.

 

[NorthernDave]

As @Kajjal said:
Front mech cable catching on pedals

Or in my case, the crank arm.

Drove me potty for miles, only happen on the inner ring and took me ages to figure out what it was.
Once I'd figured out what the clicking was, it took about 5 seconds to sort...

 

[Deleted member 1258]

As @Kajjal said:
Front mech cable catching on pedals

Or in my case, the crank arm.

Drove me potty for miles, only happen on the inner ring and took me ages to figure out what it was.
Once I'd figured out what the clicking was, it took about 5 seconds to sort...

Yes I've come across that one, the one that got me was my metal watch strap rattling against the handle bar on a bike with flopped and chopped bars, it was only a cool day needing a long sleeved jersey that enabled me to solve it.

 

[ColinJ]

Yes I've come across that one, the one that got me was my metal watch strap rattling against the handle bar on a bike with flopped and chopped bars, it was only a cool day needing a long sleeved jersey that enabled me to solve it.

I wear a metal medical dog tag round my neck when out of the house. A couple of times I have been caught out by it swinging against the zip on my cycling jersey and making a tinkling noise which sounds like something is wrong on the bike.

 

[nmfeb70]

I may be stating the obvious but when i thought my bottom bracket was on its way out by its annoying clicking it merely turned out to be a loose saddle that wasn't clamped up tightly on the saddle rails. With each stroke of the peddles i would hear a clicking noise which made me think it was the bottom bracket but it was actually my shifting weight on the saddle that causing it to move slightly creating the annoying sound.

Thanks, the seat was the first

I wear a metal medical dog tag round my neck when out of the house. A couple of times I have been caught out by it swinging against the zip on my cycling jersey and making a tinkling noise which sounds like something is wrong on the bike.

Thought I had another problem yesterday with a knocking noise from the front wheel.

I wear a metal medical dog tag round my neck when out of the house. A couple of times I have been caught out by it swinging against the zip on my cycling jersey and making a tinkling noise which sounds like something is wrong on the bike.

Thought I had another problem yesterday with a knocking noise from the front wheel. Turned out to be the sensor from the mileage counter hitting the spokes. I had knocked it inwards while washing/drying the bike on Friday. I just wish my original problem was as simple! Many thanks for all the suggestions fellas, will keep you informed.

 

[raleighnut]

on the six speed blocks the wheel bearings were inboard and there was a section of unsupported axle between the wheel bearings and the frame, the axle could break or bend at that point.

I feel left out now, I've never had one break.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I feel left out now, I've never had one break.

Don't feel left out. Most 90-pound weaklings have never had an axle break on them.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Don't feel left out. Most 90-pound weaklings have never had an axle break on them.

Thats a bit below the belt! I'm only a little short arse myself.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Thats a bit bellow the belt! I'm only a little short arse myself.

He's tough. Watch out for his comeback.

 

[raleighnut]

Don't feel left out. Most 90-pound weaklings have never had an axle break on them.

Errr 240lb 6 footer acksually, I've not ben 90lbs since 1972.

 

[nmfeb70]

Re: My post.

The problem was a faulty bottom bracket. The dealer has replaced it with a Shimano BB free of charge. Thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated.

 

[Nomadski]

My first bike, a Cannondale synapse 105 road bike was £900 from a discount bike online store and it had 3 bottom brackets in 2 years. The original broke in the first 3 months and an expensive Praxis one only faired a year.

The cheap £20 replacement has been good 4 years and counting.

So even in well known brands and decent quality components, these things can go wrong.

 

[Blue Hills]

Forgive my ignorance - what sort of bottom bracket.

For in some things cheaper (NOT cheap as in rock bottom poor) cycling componentry is often better unless you are a weight weenie training for the TdF.