| A new bicycle is usually pretty quiet when you are | | | | rider that can cause a rattling noise when you are |
| riding but as they age there are certain noises such as | | | | riding, virtually all are harmless if caught in time. |
| squeaks, rattles, clunks and clicks that you may hear. | | | | Squeaking and squealing are two noises that can be |
| These noises can be very important in the long term | | | | annoying and could signal something serious, so do |
| care of your bicycle. | | | | listen to your bike. |
| Pay attention to the noises such as a rattle in the bike | | | | A dry or poorly lubricated chain will often cause a sort |
| and where the rattle comes from. A rattle coming | | | | of squealing or squeaking noise. To fix that simply |
| from the front of the bike maybe a loose headset and | | | | lubricate the chain, but be sure to wipe off any excess |
| a simple tightening could very well get rid of that | | | | to keep the chain from attracting a lot of dirt and |
| altogether. | | | | clogging up the chain with sludge. |
| If the rattles sound like it is more in the wheels, take a | | | | Derailleur pulleys can also cause a squeaking noise |
| look your wheels and it you are running Presta Valve | | | | which is often described as a bird chirping. This is |
| Tires you may want to remove the valve nuts, these | | | | usually easily detected because the faster you go the |
| little rings can be a source of aggravation. Some | | | | louder and faster it squeaks. A few drops of oil |
| people just throw then out altogether or I have seen | | | | between the pulley and the side plate will usually take |
| some people put small rubber washers under them | | | | care of that noise. |
| and tighten then snug so that water doesn't get into | | | | Clunks when pedaling are usually caused by a loose |
| the rim. If you have a rattle in the wheel area they are | | | | bottom bracket or loose pedal or both. If the bottom |
| a good place to start checking | | | | bracket is loose you may be able to adjust it, tighten it |
| Loose Cassette Cogs can also cause rattling and will | | | | or you may have to replace it altogether. If the clunking |
| seem to come from the rear wheel. You may need | | | | is from the pedals you may be able to tighten them up |
| some special tools like a chainwhip wrench to tighten | | | | and get rid of the noise. |
| up the cassette or you may end up just replacing it | | | | Clicking noises can come from a variety of sources |
| altogether depending on the amount of wear. | | | | also, the most likely being the wheels. The spokes on |
| Other things that may cause a rattle are loose water | | | | the wheels cross each other and since no one |
| bottle cages, you may have to bend the cage back to | | | | including me seems to ever think of lubricating these |
| hold a smaller water bottle and of course make sure | | | | they get dry and tend to make some clicking noises |
| the bolts holding the cage are tight. | | | | sometimes. A simple solution is to lubricate the spokes |
| The tools in your tool bag could be hitting on each | | | | where they come together once or twice a year and |
| other or on the seat post and causing a rattle. This can | | | | you will probably eliminate that possibility altogether. |
| be fixed by wrapping the tools in a rag or even an old | | | | The crankarm coming loose or not being properly |
| sock the sock can then double as a glove to keep | | | | lubricated or the chainring bolts coming loose can also |
| you from getting too greasy if you need to change a | | | | cause some clicking noises. Removing, cleaning and |
| tire or do some minor roadside repair. | | | | lubing the crankarm, tightening or replacing the chainring |
| The list above is by no means inclusive, there are | | | | bolts should take care of any problems in that part of |
| many other things on the bicycle and maybe even the | | | | the bike. |