Just assembled a new Uni (Torrker 24" LX) This is my first unicycle in over 20yrs. Very excited, big smile, I was able to get up, and rock back and forth, and scoot down the hall. In moving forward, I noticed (heard and felt) a clicking in my left pedal - seemed to happen at the same point in the rotation. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Peter
This seems odd with a brand new unicycle. Are the right crank and pedal on the right side? If not, the pedals can come loose easily. What you have sounds like the pedal bearings making noise. This will happen with worn, out of adjustment bearings or in one with a broken ball. Not likely with a new pedal unless it’s faulty.
Ticking at the same point in the pedal stroke can also, but less often, be caused by loose spokes in the wheel. Feel the spoke tension around the wheel and see that it is uniform and the wheel is true.
Did you install the cranks yourself? A loose crank can also make this noise. If you just installed and tightened the cranks, one can come loose quickly with riding. Continue to tighten the cranks firmly several times after riding for a few minutes.
One thing you should check is if the right pedal, which will be marked with an R is threaded into the right crank, which is also marked with an R. And left pedal in the left crank.
And that, your right foot is on the right pedal when you ride.
Otherwise, you are riding backwards, which unthreads the pedals and has ruined cranks many times.
This may cause a clicking sound.
And, are you sure its the pedal? It could be your spokes rubbing together, loose cranks. Ive even had the reflectors on my pedals make a clicking noise on my unicycle. haha
EDIT: Beaten again…
Oh, by the way, this is a unicycling thread and would be better posted in RSU rather than just conversation. You are more likely to get helpful responses there…except from Jerrick who is helpful anywhere.
Hey, what about me?
It could be a loose crank.
It can wedge itself such that if you tug at it, it feels tight.
Thanks For your reply (everyone else too - Haven’t figured out how to navigat this site but one step at a time right?)
The Right pedal is on the right crank being pedaled by my right foot, same can be said for the left things… I did not install the cranks that came on the wheel pre-assembled. I will check the spokes but feel like the it’s a new wheel so…
Is it possible that I didn’t tighten the pedals enough?
Really??
Thanks but I FEEL it under my foot. As if the pedal is shifting slightly…Also my mommy reminded me to tie my shoes before I went outside
there is nothing saying that because the cranks came ready assembled, that they are tight enough, indeed none of the 8 unicycles I’ve bought over the years has ever had them tight enough. Grab a 14mm socket or 8mm allen key and do the crank bolts as tight as you can. Riding with loose cranks will damage them really quickly, don’t ride any more until you’ve sorted out what it is else you may be in for new cranks. Loose cranks give the feeling of the pedal moving that you described. Pedals do not need to be tightened hard, the action of riding will actually do them up. Having said that, leaving them loose will cause damage very quickly.
Thanks. I got a thin 15mm wrench from my local bike store and was able to tighten the pedals just that much more and it has seemed to do the trick (ie no more clicking). The crank bolts seem fine and the uni rode great today, I’m a bit rusty however (and now a bit sore). I will defintely check the crank bolts when I get my hands on my ratchets.
-Peter
that happened to my first uni as well. thats usually what the clicking is, at least in my short-term experience.