That Sound Isn’t in Your Head: How to Fix Bike Noises Before They Get Worse

Every rider knows the feeling. You’re rolling along, and suddenly… click. Creak. Clunk. Something’s not right, and it’s not going away.

At Wrench & Roll, we hear this all the time—literally. Weird bike noises are more common than you think, and they usually don’t mean your bike’s falling apart. But they are trying to tell you something.

Here’s a quick guide to figuring out what’s making that noise, what you can fix at home, and when it’s time to bring it in.

Home Fix

Clicking When You Pedal

Most likely:

• Loose pedal or crank

• Dry chain

• Bottom bracket starting to wear

Try this:

• Tighten your pedals (both directions)

• Wipe and lube the chain

• Check that crank arms aren’t wobbling

Still clicking? Bring it in and we’ll check your crank and bottom bracket for wear.

Creaking When You Sit or Climb

Usually means:

• Seatpost or saddle clamp needs attention

• Dry bolt contact points

• Frame contact (especially with racks or fenders)

Try this:

• Remove and lightly grease your seatpost

• Re-tighten saddle bolts evenly

• Check for rubbing where racks touch the frame

Got something creaking that’s driving you nuts? We’ll help you isolate it in-store—no guesswork needed.

Squealing Brakes

If your brakes sound like a haunted house:

• You may have oil or residue on your rotors or rims

• Your pads may be worn or misaligned

Clean the rotors or rims with isopropyl alcohol, check pad wear, and make sure your brake arms or calipers are centered. Or just let us do a full brake check and tune. It’s one of our most common requests.

Grinding or Rattling While Riding

Could be:

• Loose bottle cage bolts

• Derailleur out of alignment

• Chain rubbing front derailleur

Start by checking everything with bolts—bottle cages, racks, fenders. Then shift through all your gears and see where the sound hits. We’ll do a derailleur tune-up if you’re hearing ghost shifts or chain rub.

Don’t Let a Noise Turn Into a Bigger Repair

A little click now can turn into a costly repair later—especially if it’s drivetrain or bottom bracket related. If you’re not sure, we’ll check it out for free. That’s what we do.

Need parts, tools, or a second opinion? Contact us, swing by the shop, or check our bike sales and gear section. We’ve got everything from grease to new pedals.

And if your bike needs more time in the stand, grab a rental and keep riding while we sort it out.