I just started unicycling last week when my parents bought me a
unicycle for my 18th. I’ve been riding it quite a bit and can ride
unassisted for about 20 - 30 metres.
Just this morning, the right pedal has started clicking when it gets
to the top of its revolution. I can’t work out what it is that’s
clicking and I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and
if so how they stopped it. It only does it when I’m on the unicycle. I
suppose It has beeen bashed about a bit during the learning process so
that might have something to do with it.
Any help from anyone would be much appreciated.
What happened to me just recently, was an audible click during my pedal stroke, and it felt like the wheel was flexing during power strokes. I figured the spokes were in need of some tensioning, but when I looked closely at it, 3 of the 4 nuts holding the bearing holders (whatever they’re called) were loose and almost falling out, allowing the wheel to move about.
The mystery squeak or click can come from anywhere, and seem like it’s coming from what you think it is.
It may also be the nut holding your crank on the spindle has worked itself loose. This will cause your ‘pedal’ to click as well, soon it will develop a wobble. Use loctite on the nuts and crank them right down with a 14mm socket - it turns out 9/16 strips them while torquing them right down
But like you said originally, it may be your pedal (which would be odd after such a little time)
Check that the four nuts holding the bearing clamps in place are not loose. Do not overtighten them. I use a short spanner so I can’t put too much torque on them. The wheel should still be able to spin freely. (Usually 10mm spanner. Sometimes 11.)
Check that each of the pedals is properly screwed into the crank. Remember the right hand pedal has a normal thread, but the left hand pedal has a reverse thread. Ideally, remove each pedal, then thread it back in carefully so it isn’t cross threaded, then make sure it’s good and tight. (Usually 15 mm open ended spanner.)
Remove the dust cap which covers the nut which pulls the crank onto the end of the axle. Using a 14 mm socket, remove the nut. Now, supporting the centre of the opposite crank with a block of wood, protected with a cloth or similar, wallop the crank a couple of times with a rubber or wooden mallet to make sure it is well seated. Then replace the 14 mm nut and tighten it up firmly.
If there is still a click, it could be something within the pedal. Depends what type you have, but some are sealed bearing and you can’t do much to repair them. Some cheapish plastic ones are semi diposable and the bearings are inaccessible. Others have a dust cap over the end (may pry off or may screw off) which covers a nut and washer. If you have this last sort then you can remove the dust cap and check the nut isn’t loose, then add oil/grease as available. Remember that basic pedals are a cheap item (UK, about 5 Pounds upwards) so don’t panic if they’re no good.
Failing all the above, oil your knees.
You really don’t want to be riding far with loose cranks as this will stuff the end of the axle which means your hub’s ruined which means a new wheel. Replacing cranks or pedals is easy and not too expensive.
I had a similar click in the left pedal at about 11 o’clock position.
When riding lightly on the left pedal (doing most of the work at
right) it didn’t click. It suddenly was there after 1.5 years of
riding, it appeared in a period in which I learned to idle and ride
backwards, and the uni dropped a lot, and I was learning to hop too.
Anyway, it probably was a broken bearing ball (or at least something
in the pedal bearing), as a new pedal solved the problem.
>Hi
>
>I just started unicycling last week when my parents bought me a
>unicycle for my 18th. I’ve been riding it quite a bit and can ride
>unassisted for about 20 - 30 metres.
>Just this morning, the right pedal has started clicking when it gets
>to the top of its revolution. I can’t work out what it is that’s
>clicking and I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and
>if so how they stopped it. It only does it when I’m on the unicycle. I
>suppose It has beeen bashed about a bit during the learning process so
>that might have something to do with it.
>Any help from anyone would be much appreciated.
I had a similar click in the left pedal at about 11 o’clock position.
When riding lightly on the left pedal (doing most of the work at
right) it didn’t click. It suddenly was there after 1.5 years of
riding, it appeared in a period in which I learned to idle and ride
backwards, and the uni dropped a lot, and I was learning to hop too.
Anyway, it probably was a broken bearing ball (or at least something
in the pedal bearing), as a new pedal solved the problem.
>Hi
>
>I just started unicycling last week when my parents bought me a
>unicycle for my 18th. I’ve been riding it quite a bit and can ride
>unassisted for about 20 - 30 metres.
>Just this morning, the right pedal has started clicking when it gets
>to the top of its revolution. I can’t work out what it is that’s
>clicking and I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and
>if so how they stopped it. It only does it when I’m on the unicycle. I
>suppose It has beeen bashed about a bit during the learning process so
>that might have something to do with it.
>Any help from anyone would be much appreciated.
