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Small clicking sound

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43K views 45 replies 19 participants last post by  logandonaldson  
#1 ·
Hi friends

I just got a brand new bike yesterday and did a 60 minute workout. It was silent as a mouse. Today I’m noticing on the top of every pedal stroke there is now a faint taking or clicking sound it sounds like a digital watch tick coming from around the flywheel. My pedals are super super tight.

It’s not loud at all. I don’t think it’s defective. Is it just normal operation? It’s hard to hear but it’s in this video.

Thanks in advance if anybody has any insight.
 
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#2 ·
I, too, have had this question! I purchased an EX-4S from Costco before Christmas (2020). The bike was silent for multiple workouts for multiple family members during the first week. Then, into the second or third week, I started to notice a "clicking" sound (not necessarily the perfect description for it) coming from the flywheel--not the pedals. I checked on the tension of the screws on the flywheel and found them to be super tight. My only conclusion was that the sound might be coming from some bearings in the flywheel area.

When I reached out to Customer Support, the first person was concerned and offered to send new pedals, but invited me to provide a video. After doing so, my question was escalated with the attached video. After a little back and forth, I was told that a supervisor said that the sound (which had become a constant sound ... much more than occasional "clicking") was normal and that the bike should not be expected to be silent. This surprised me because it seems like bikes with magnetic resistance would be virtually silent. (And the bike wasn't cheap!)

Nothing else about the bike performed poorly during the first 5-6 weeks, so I did my best to accept the sound. But, after talking to my local Costco, it was suggested that I return my first bike and replace it with a new one. I did so a few weeks ago. For the first full week, the new bike has been completely silent for multiple workouts across multiple family members. But, after finishing a workout yesterday, I thought I heard the beginning of that "clicking" sound from the bearings--almost identical to the sound heard in the video in the original post.

So, it would be good to know if this is just a "Costco bike (EX-4S) thing" or if others who own different Echelon bikes can support the message from the Echelon supervisor that the sounds from the flywheel area are normal and that the bike should not be expected to be silent. I love the bike and the workouts. I haven't found the sounds to affect the bike's performance. But I also don't to be left with an expensive bike that is afflicted with a unique problem that may not have a solution.
 
#11 ·
This is hilarious to me because we were in the same boat. Or are I guess. Got our first bike 12/30 from Costco.. Slow start to clicking/thumping.. Returned it 2/6 and got a new one.. less than a week of quiet and now we are met with a clicking/thumping. Constant tinkering, annoyed husband, fixing or try to figure out the noise. At this point I am 100% convinced Costco has sold all lemons... I am upset because I LOVE my bike and have used it daily, but at this point I am tempted to just return it all together. Like you said, it isn't affecting the workouts or the bike--it all works... It is just this noise that really puts a damper on it for me.. I thought it was the red clip in part, but that isn't removable. I am wondering if the pedals can be taken off all together and new ones not Echelon be put on.
 
#3 ·
Damn. You read my mind exactly. That’s exactly what I want to know too. Is this normal. Or. Do other riders have similar tiny click sounds.
At one point I thought it may be intended? Like a cadence meter or something that is totally working as intended. I just don’t know.
 
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#4 ·
Agreed! I want this to be normal, although I really want the bike to be as silent as it was when I did my first rides--but it will really help to hear from others in the Community (and it wouldn't hurt to also hear an additional "official" word from Echelon). In the meantime, thank you for starting this post!

p.s. After doing another ride today, that small "click" sound (and I really wish I had a better word for it) has definitely established itself in my new bike.
 
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#9 ·
I just tried the "reverse pedaling" approach. Sadly, I have the "bearing-clicking" sound (which really isn't a clicking sound, but it is close enough) pedaling either direction. But, knowing that someone else checked with Customer Service and was told the sound is normal is somewhat reassuring. At least I'm not the only one who has been caught off guard by a bike I thought would be virtually silent.
 
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#14 ·
From one point of view, I am very sorry to hear that the EX3 also develops/makes a "clicking" or "grinding" sound in the flywheel area. From another point of view, I feel a small sense of relief to know that this may not be just an "EX-4S thing." I would still like to know if owners of other models are experiencing the same thing. As I continue to ride my EX-4S, the sounds that were intermittent are now constant. In spite of this, the bike's performance doesn't seem to be affected in any way. But, I had hoped that my once-silent bike would remain silent.
 
#17 · (Edited)
I'm glad I found this page. I am also hearing noise from my flywheel on my 4S. Mine seems more like a rubbing noise. I followed the directions of making sure the flywheel nuts were tight but the sound is still there. I contacted customer service and they made me send them pictures of the pedals and crank. I don't believe its the pedals. The sound is definitely coming from the flywheel. This is extremely frustrating. I was about to return to costco but it seems that its on all models???? Check out my video. Is this what you're experiencing??


20210302_175634.mp4

drive.google.com drive.google.com
 
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#18 ·
Yes! THAT is the sound! I could never find the best words to describe the sound: "click" or "grind" was close, but still not adequate. It has always been one of those, "You just have to hear it to know what I mean" things.

I, too, contacted Customer Service. Initially, the online chat suggested there might be a need for new pedals (which never seemed like the right solution). Then, I was asked to make a video. The person who received the video got a supervisor involved. That was when I was told that the sound is normal and not to expect the bike to be perfectly silent when riding it. I was, however, advised to go to a bike store to purchase some lubricant to apply to the flywheel every 3-6 months or so. At that time, I felt like the response was suspicious, so I returned my first bike to Costco. When I brought a new bike home, the new bike was silent for the first 2 weeks, then the sound started to slowly develop and increase in frequency and regularity. Unless other Echelon bike owners (owners of other models) can confirm that they hear the same sound, it is either "normal" for the Costco-model bike (EX-4S)--which would be sad (even though I love the bike!)--or there is a different of better response from Customer Service. So, I will be interested to know what Customer Service suggests after reviewing your video!

As I have suggested in an earlier post, Costco's return policy provides great comfort and reassurance. I was told that the bike can be returned up to 3-4 years for a full refund. I don't want to return the bike again because I am hooked on the workouts and I really do like the Echelon product overall. So, this forum has been a nice way to monitor how "normal" the situation is.
 
#19 ·
They said it was due to a bad crank, which I doubt. They are sending me a new bike. Let's see when I receive it and let's see if it develops the same noise. I'm just wondering if it's easier to just take it back to costco haha. Who knows when I will receive the new bike. The only issue is I got this when it was on sale and that sale is over. I don't know if costco will honor the sale price.
 
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#20 ·
Because the sounds seem to come from the flywheel (it seems like a bearing issue to me), I will certainly be interested to know if the "bad crank" diagnosis becomes the long-term solution. If so, I will need to make a similar warranty request and push back on the "it's normal" diagnosis, which doesn't seem right. At this point, there aren't many Echelon bike owners (owners of different models) visiting this thread, confirming that the sound we hear is normal for all Echelon bikes.

I paid full price at Costco ($999) in December and then got a price match when the bike was discounted by $200 one month later. So, I am in the same situation about another potential return: Getting a full refund and then needing to pay more to bring home a new bike from Costco, if I choose to do so at some point in the future--which I really hope I won't need to do!

Keep us posted, okay?
 
#22 ·
Hey everyone, found this in a google search as I’m having the same issue. I have the EX5S, so one of the newer models and I’m having the same clicking/thumping sound! This is definitely not just a Costco bike thing. I’ve been so nervous to even get out of the saddle as I don’t want anything to break. Like others have said, as annoying as the sound is, if it means my bike is working properly, I can deal with it.
 
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#30 ·
I found this thread looking for solutions when my bike started making a strange rubbing/crunching/clicking sound coming from near the crankshaft inside the plastic housing. It was not the pedals because the sound persisted even if I didn't use the pedals to turn the crankshaft.

I found this official video explaining how to open up the plastic housing to replace the belt and figured I would take a look. To gain access to the belt, I only removed the right pedal, right housing, and the tensioner pulley. I found that the grooves on the belt were full of what i assume is compressed rubber dust from the belt wearing in. I used a needle to scrape out all the rubber bits in the grooves, being careful not to poke/cut into the belt. After reinstalling everything, the bike is silent again. :)

Hopefully this comment helps someone down the line.

Image
Image
 
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#31 · (Edited)
I'm glad I found this thread too - I feel a little better that I have company with the issue here. I got my EX3 used yesterday USED - Amazon had sold out and other retailers wanted $1499 instead of $999. Originally purchased in April 2020 at a retailer in Toronto (not Costco).

The clicking sound appears to be coming from the flywheel not the pedals - the sound appears to be amplified by the plastic housing, so I'm pretty sure it's inside the bike. It Squeaks on every other rotation of the flywheel.

I tried the "Flywheel adjusting" video from Echelon - but they both appear to be unmovably tight - but I only have crescent wrenches at the moment. I'm going to get some proper wrenches and 'back off' the outer fly wheel bolt on the left side. .....and keep reading this forum.

One other problem with the bike getting it used - I could not get the table holder to stay upright - I've McGyvered it - but I'd like to replace it.
 
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#32 ·
Something tells me the solution in the Echelon Video fixes a THUMPING sound - the description specially says this - my sound can best be described as a 'clicking or snapping sound' that occurs every TWO rotations of the rear flywheel - since the front crank is smaller than the rear - this leads me to believe it's to do with the rear fly wheel.
 
#33 ·
Hey Folks, I’m a little late to this party but I was experiencing this as well when we first got our bike. We had a tech come out and after some troubleshooting, found that the “chirping” sound was being caused by the magnetic switch that the bike uses to monitor cadence. Every rotation a small magnet mounted on the flywheel passes the switch which causes the sound and registers the rotation. Unfortunately there’s nothing that can done to eliminate the sound. I just turn my music up until I can’t hear it.
 
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#34 ·
I definitely noticed that sound too once I eliminated the rubber dust that had built up in the grooves of the belt. I thought I was going crazy until I finally tracked it down to the magnetic switch. I played around with the bolt tightness and tried to isolate the switch as much as I could, but it didn't help much. Once I put the plastic housing back together, the chirping was much less noticable, especially while working out.
 
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#39 ·
For me, the belt is silent immediately after cleaning the belt's grooves, but then begins making noise again after a ride or two once more material gets pressed into the grooves. And for me, this is not the cadence sensor clicking b/c the sound is present even without the bike being plugged in.

I have a new belt from echelon but haven't yet put it on. I'm skeptical that a new belt fixes the issue, unless echelon is sending out better belts as replacements. So far, I haven't heard whether anyone has done the replacement and if so, whether that's fixed the problem.
 
#43 ·
Since last August I have tried two ex3 and one ex4s, all developed same issues. For both ex3, it's couple weeks or 2 months into the daily usage so both got returned. Bought my most recent one EX4s from Costco as the deal was great, then only 2 weeks into usage, the squeaking noise came up. It will go away after couple minutes of riding but really annoying at the beginning of my work out session everyday. Not sure what is causing it. It is not clicking noise, it sounds more like a squeaking noise.
 
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#44 ·
Since I adjusted the locking bolts holding the flywheel axle and bearings, all's been good. I did have to tighten those locking bolts once after several months of riding because they loosened up a bit, but that wasn't difficult.

I'm convinced that echelon's bike is good, and I've been enjoying it--but the quality control stinks. I'm comfortable working on my own bikes, etc., but for $1000, you really shouldn't have to do that.
 
#46 ·
I had the same problem with two EX-4S bikes from Costco. The second bike developed the sizzling/clicking noise after only two weeks. Finally, I took it apart and noticed bits of rubber in the each of the five V-grooves on the belt. With a flat screwdriver edge, I worked a few inches at a time cleaning out the bits. After one rotation of cleaning, the bike was spinning quietly again.I didn't apply any lubrication.

While the bike was apart, I studied the magnetic resistance. There is a plastic washer that is snug against a bolt when the magnets are on level 32. It's too bad that Echelon doesn't supply a specification or plastic shim where you can check if the spacing between the magnet and flywheel is correct. I think the Schwinn spin bike provides such a shim for calibration.
 
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