Why Do BMX Bikes Make Noise? 7 Reasons Explained!

Every bike makes the sound of a horn, with some being more so than others. The trick is to determine the quality of the sound or not. If you’re reading this, that is a sign that the noise emanating from your BMX bike is constant and doesn’t sound ideal. Why do BMX bikes produce noise?

BMX bikes make noise because the seat or saddle post and loose stem bolts are grinding, and the crank spindle is flexible. There is a tension of the chan loose and the bottom bracket creaking, and broken pedals and brakes that are dirty.

BMX bikes have bearings that must be lubricated with grease or other lubricants that a company makes. Components like cranks, pedals, bottom brackets, and hubs can dry out and begin squealing if they are not regularly lubricated.

Other bicycle components have bolts that can become loose and require tightening. These parts include the sprocket as well as the stem.

Additionally, if certain parts of the bike meet, an unsettling sound can result. For instance, the brakes friction with the rim’s wall, especially if the rim is filthy.

We now know why BMX bikes make noise. Let us dig more deeply into the details. We’ll look at the causes and suggest possible solutions that won’t require the assistance of a specialist bike repairer.

7 Reasons Bikes on BMX are noisy and need fixing.

Here are seven causes why BMX bikes make noises and their solutions:

1. Slack Saddle, Grinding, or Seat Post

If the creak occurs only when you’re riding on the saddle, it may be in the saddle or the grinding seat post.

Fix

Remove the seat post and then remove the saddle.
Adjust the seat posts
Protect the rails of the saddle with an anti-seize substance.
Put the saddle and the seat post in the back. This should stop the creaking.

2. Loose Stem Bolts

The stem joins the handles with the frame. The handlebars are centrally placed on their stems. They are not threaded or have a quill.

These are typically titanium, steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. The stem is connected to the bike via the steerer tube. In general, there are up to 3 pinch bolts on threadless stems.

Compressing the slot these bolts aid in helping the stem clamp to the threadless steerer tube by compressing the slot. Stems are fitted with an upper cap bolt to hold everything in place and assist in adjusting the headset.

Stems are also equipped with two to six bolts that secure the faceplate. If not maintained regularly, the bolts will get rusty or loose and cause creaks or clicks as the handlebars rotate.

Sometimes, the top cap bolt gets loose, leading to looseness within the head. This can result in annoying rattles and clanks during cycling.

To determine if the creak comes from loose stems, sit over the bike and wrestle the handlebar.

Fix

You’ll require the following tools to in tightening and adjusting on the bolts that hold your stem:

Hex wrenches
Torque wrenches
Grease
Penetrating oil

Here’s how to tighten the loose stem bolts.

The bike should be sat on to ensure stability on the front wheel or over the top tube.
Remove the pinch bolts from the sides before you loosen the cap bolt on top. Apply this All-Rust Eater deep penetration oil (Check at Amazon) if the bolts are hard to get rid of because of corrosion.
Take off the top cap and examine for the presence of rust. Add grease on the cap’s top after checking that the threads aren’t corrosion-prone.
Close the top cap bolt until it fits snugly to tighten the headset and remove any slack.
With the help of a torque wrench, tighten the pinch bolts to the sides.

3. Loose Crank Spindles

BMX cranks are built with the capacity to take any abuse. During testing, crank arms are subjected to a weight of up to 250lbs to assess how well they perform.

Some manufacturers even more than double the weights that are recommended for tests. However, cranksets can be in a loose state despite their capacity to handle the weight.

The crank’s spindle is not in good condition if it sounds like a click or creaks at the end of every turn.

Fix

Once you’ve identified the cause of the noise, let’s see how to resolve the issue of the spindle of a crank that is loose.

Utilizing a hex screwdriver, remove the pinch bolts from the cranks.
Remove the cap bolt that is located at the bottom of the crank. If you haven’t lubricated your spindles for a time, it could take some time to take off the bolts.
Make sure the threads are lubricated.
First, tighten the cap bolt, then tighten the pinch bolts if there are any.
Following this, the irritating creaking sound should stop.

4. Loose Chain Tension

As with most single-speed bikes, it is possible to adjust the tension of the chain on BMX determined by placing the rear wheel inside the drop-outs with slots. It isn’t easy to establish the proper pressure. The loose chain can vibrate against the chainstay if the tension is not set properly.

Fix

After flipping the bike on its side, turn the cranks and look at the chain. You’ll notice that the drivetrain is in a tight and untidy place.

In the tight area, the chain is tensioned correctly. On the loose location, it is flexible. Lock the axle nuts, then shift the wheel inside the drop-out to adjust the chain’s tension.

When you are in an ideal location, gently increase the tension on your driver’s side. Verify for pressure and turning cranks. If you cannot move the wheels even though the chain is tight, the chain may be too tight.

While the crank is in the right place, You can loosen the nut on the axle. This will help you get the right tension. Be sure to grease the internal threads on the axle when you’re doing it.

Ensure your wheel is aligned before tightening the axle nuts on the opposite side.

5. Loose Pedals

BMX pedals last and are endurance with this in mind. However, they can also become damaged or lose their bearings. A broken or loose pedal or worn-out washers and bearings could result in a clicking sound or creaking noise.

Fix

Flip the bike upside down. With a 15mm wrench, release the pedal. Left BMX, the pedal’s threads face each other.

You’ll need to turn your wrench clockwise to take them off. To remove the left pedal, an anticlockwise movement will loosen it.

Some threads have a Hex that fits behind the axle. Utilize a Hex wrench for loosening an axle.

The most commonly used Hex wrench diameters are 6 mm or eight-millimeter. The way to loosen the pedal is identical regardless of the Hex wrench: counterclockwise to take off the right pedal and clockwise to take off one pedal. Buy this highly-rated Hex wrench set, The Tekton (View on Amazon).

If you prefer working on the bike while standing, ensure that you push the wrench towards the rear to remove the pedal properly, regardless of the side.

Clean the threads of the crank arm with the rug. It helps in getting rid of the build-up of grease and grime.

Before you refit, ensure you have the correct pedal for the side you are on. The pedals are labeled with the letters L (Left) and R (Right) to aid in identifying the side on which they are. Furthermore, many manufacturers have the left side fitted with grooves while the right side has been smoothed.

Install a spacer or washer on the axle before fixing it back. Be sure to use grease or an anti-seize product like Loctite (View on Amazon) to lubricate the axle.

6. Creaking Bottom Brackets

Many riders are victims of the unwelcome creak sound from the lower bracket. The bottom bracket joins the cranks to allow movement independently of the frame.

Fix

Here’s how you can repair an unsteady bottom bracket.

First, you’ll need to take off the cranks.
There are various types of brackets for bottoms. Identify the type of bottom bracket you have installed for the best top bracket.
The bottom bracket can be cleaned with a cloth and the lower bracket’s shell.
Apply an anti-seize substance or grease. Using a plumber’s tape is also possible if none of the recommended oils exist. It is better to have some lubrication rather than none whatsoever.
The bottom bracket should be torqued up according to the recommended settings, and then put the cranks back in place, and you’ll be able to enjoy your ride without creaking!

7. Brakes that are clogged or dirty

Oil and dirt build-up on the rim can cause the brakes to squeak.

Fix

Use rubbing alcohol to apply it to the surface of a clean cloth. Clean the rim.

Rub alcohol onto the brake pads to clean off the brakes. Sand your brake pads if it appears too shiny. If wiping or sanding doesn’t result, try toting into the brakes.

Toe-in is the process of putting the brake pads such that the front edge of the break is pressed against the rim first.

Brake components like the calipers require a thread lock, Not grease! This is the Locker Loctite (View on Amazon) for the best results.

People Also Have Questions

Why do Bikes make noise when they are coasting?

Bike hubs come with a piece known as the freehub body. Connecting the seat to the freehub body lets you independently drive the wheel forward or coast.

The freehub’s elements, called pawls, are attached to the drivetrain’s teeth on the hub’s surface, allowing forward motion.

When you coast in a straight line, the pawls break and slide down the teeth of the hub, creating a click during the process.

Why Does My BMX Bike Click When I Pedal?

There are a variety of reasons that can trigger the clicking sound of a BMX bike when it is pedaling. It could be due to damage to the pedal or a cracked axle, which clicks every time you pedal, and the hub gets damaged or lacks hub oil.

Why are BMX Bikes so Loud?

The BMX bikes are louder because hubs with BMX bikes have many engagement points. The bike hub is connected between the wheels and the frame. It comprises a part within it, referred to as a freehub body, that carries the energy from the pedals that enable the wheel to rotate.

If you pedal forward, the spring-loaded parts inside the freehub body, known as pawls, are attached to the hub’s teeth surface, allowing you to move forward.

If the pawls are disengaged from the hub, they slide down the teeth on the hub’s surface and make a click sound as they glide across the hub surface. Bike BMXs are noisy because they have more teeth and pawls.

In conclusion – Why Do BMX Bikes Make Noise?

An excellent place to begin is to realize that loud is part of the culture and tradition of BMXing. As we’ve said, BMX bikes make noise because of loose pedals, stems, cranks, seat posts, and saddles.

The issue could be the bottom brackets, brakes that require grease, or loose chains. If you can identify what’s creating the clicks and creaks, then you’ll be able to ride away in peace.