It’s concerning hearing a clicking noise coming from your Peloton, no doubt about it. A click could indicate so many different things or nothing at all, but it’s almost impossible to diagnose the Peloton issue from a sound alone.
Luckily I’m somewhat of a click connoisseur, and I’ve had my ears in positions and places that would surprise you. Plenty of the curious sounds coming from your Peloton are harmless, and the rest can be handled from the comfort of your home.
I’ve compiled a detailed list of every noise, click and tick that your Peloton is making, I’ll also tell you exactly how to get rid of the sounds. The only noises should be coming from your Spotify and the furious pedaling as you power through a tough section of the class.
5 Most Common Clicking Causes And How To Fix Them
These are the most prolific reasons for the clicking noise you hear from your Peloton exercise bike. Check these 5 potential issues before anything else, and always remember to turn your bike off before any maintenance begins.
Exercise Bike Mat
Your yoga mat will not suffice, and your Peloton might be clicking from direct contact with the floor. Hard surfaces will allow the feet of your bike to rebound off the floor, but the specially constructed exercise bike mats will compress and deaden the downward forces. Always ensure your bike is 100% level, by using an application or a spirit level.
They also deaden noise, so your neighbors won’t be able to hear your pedaling. Another benefit is the floor protection, you’ll be cleaning the mat instead of worrying about scratches or scuffs from the feet of your Peloton bike.
You can buy exercise mats easily on Amazon, and they range in price from around $20 to $50. I’d recommend spending around $30 on your mat, this model here is one of my favorites.
Check Your Cleats
Periodically check out your cleats, they can make a lot of noise if they are loose, dirty, or worn down.
Cleats sometimes have wear indicators, small areas of differently colored plastic, that let you know when it’s time for a new set. You might be hearing extra clicks if your cleats are worn down enough. Some cleats come with different reference marks to show you they’ve reached their limit, so it’s good to familiarize yourself with the cleat’s user manual.
Check that your setup is tightened correctly. After the first ride, adjust your clip’s tension and make a mark of some kind. Use that mark in the future to keep a consistent tension. If you are slipping out of your pedals or having trouble clipping in, make sure that you adjust the tension. You can find some detailed instructions for that on the official peloton support website.
Pedal Issues
Take out your 15mm wrench and tighten the Peloton resistance knob fully, because it’s time to check the pedals.
Remember that reverse threading on the left pedal. We need to tighten by turning right on the right pedal and tighten by turning left on the left pedal.
There are probably several other screws that you will need to tighten to ensure that your pedals aren’t the cause of this clicking noise. Be careful not to adjust the tension screw unless you intend to adjust your clip in tension. This screw is usually distinguished by symbols like + and – around the screw.
We aren’t looking to overtighten any of the other screws, but check that they are snug and firmly in their thread. Use a 3mm Allen key, which is included with your bike, and check each bolt is tight. Different pedals will have different bolt patterns, and potentially, different Allen key sizes. Check the user manual for more specific information.
Check For Loose Screws
Now that we’ve finished looking at the pedals and cleats, we should move to another common cause of those pesky clicks, loose screws on the Peloton bike itself.
When you lay the bike on its side, you’ll see several screws arranged around the base of the Peloton. I always check these when I first buy an exercise bike, but it’s a good idea to check them every few months as a precaution.
There are hex screws all over the Peloton frame, from the screen to the feet, I make sure they are all tight. Take your time, and make sure you have something soft for laying the bike on its side. If your clicks are coming from the frame, there’s a good chance your bike will be silent after finishing this step. As you move around the bike, some cleaning around the screws won’t hurt.
Devices Aren’t Secure
It seems obvious, but if you have a smartphone or extra tablet you are using, make sure it’s not rattling around.
There are some flexible and useful stands you can buy to solve a jittery device. Keep smartphones still during your ride by using a well-fitting stand. If you want something to hold a tablet, there are options too.
6 Less Common Clicking Causes And How To Fix Them
Now that we have covered the common causes, let’s move on to less common reasons for those confounded clicks.
Dry or Worn Bearings
The Peloton’s wheel has a bearing at the center, and that’s one thing that should be inspected regularly. I should mention that the bearing will usually scrape and grind when it is worn out, but faulty bearings can sometimes click too.
Unfortunately, bearings are one of the most common replacements that Pelotoners are forced to pay for, sometimes every 3 months. I get 4-5 months of life out of my bearings, probably because I keep my exercise area dust free. I regularly wipe down my bike to stop anything from getting inside these moving parts.
The replacement can be done at home, and it doesn’t take that long. Remove the four bolts that hold the wheel in place, then use a pair of pliers to remove the dust cap. You’ll get a glimpse of the bearing, which you can remove by loosening the bolt with a wrench. Use clean equipment and make sure you don’t leave dust behind. Install the new bearing by repeating those steps.
The Resistance Knob
That glorious glossy red knob might be causing some noise, like clicking, along with some other sounds like scraping or rubbing.
This is a tough problem to diagnose, but you might have already had trouble setting the resistance or using the knob. Perhaps you notice the resistance sticking at certain values or not reacting properly, like this Peloton user. When the noise is happening is very important information.
The plastic knob can also break, both internally and externally. If you notice that it is broken, I have some bad news for you. Contacting Peloton support and pleading your case is the only option since the company doesn’t sell the part separately. I found one on eBay, but its quality isn’t confirmed. Contact Peloton support to get a knob, which can be installed at your home.
It’s a good idea to wind the knob all the way to zero and wipe the threads off, then re-lubricate. Turn the resistance to 100 and back to 0, then repeat that a few times.
Scraping Noises From The Flywheel
The flywheel sits in between two magnets, if these rubbing then they will create some annoying sounds.
You’ll probably notice this happening at certain resistance levels, or constantly if the contact is severe. Get around the front of your Peloton and squat down. When you turn your pedals, listen to the flywheel as it rotates. If you hear the sound coming from behind the plastic cover, underneath the resistance knob, you should check the alignment.
There’s a way to adjust your magnets and flywheel so that they don’t scrape, a Peloton user put together an awesome guide right here. Try to be precise, and make sure the flywheel rotates in the center of your two resistance magnets.
Bottom Bracket Noises
The bottom bracket is within the crank assembly, and it can be accessed by removing the crank arms. You need a crank puller to remove the crank arm, but before you go ahead dismantling everything, take a second to consider something. Noise coming from this area could be caused by a slew of issues. Consider calling a Peloton technician out to get a professional opinion.
Belt or Belt Guard Noises
The belt can sometimes rub on your belt guard, this is usually a scraping and rubbing noise heard at certain resistances.
You’ll need to check the alignment of the belt by removing the belt guard cover. Use a screwdriver to do that, and set the cover aside for a cleaning wipe-down later on. Follow the belt towards the front of the Peloton, and you’ll see a small silver wheel. Turn this clockwise a very small amount, this might move your belt enough to stop the rubbing.
Lubricate the belt while you have the cover off, and check for dust that might be lining surfaces. After everything is clean, use a few drops of a dry lubricant. Later on, I’ll talk about the other things that should be lubricated on Peloton bikes.
Crank Arm Issues
Yikes, the crank arm is tricky to fix and usually happens outside of warranty, which is 12 months for all parts other than pedals. If your pedals feel loose, or the pedal arms are not secure, it’s a sign you need to replace your crank arms. It’s rare, but some users report that their crank arms are misaligned.
Crank arms are built with strength in mind, but sometimes the arms or the crank gear can become skewed over time. If you’ve verified that the pedals aren’t the issue, but you still hear a sound coming from that area, you might have to replace your crank arm on the left or right side.
Check with Peloton support by emailing them a short video displaying the problem, with the movement of the pedals at varying resistances. If your Peloton is within warranty, you won’t be allowed to change the crank arms yourself without voiding it.
Contacting Peloton Support or Getting A Peloton Technician
If you weren’t able to diagnose the problem using my list, or if the problem appears to be a hassle to fix at home, no shame in calling the professionals.
It won’t be without expenses unfortunately, Peloton charges a flat fee of $100 for dispatching a technician within the United States. You’ll get a warranty-compliant check-up for your Peloton, and you’ll wave goodbye to the technician at the end, knowing the cause of the clicks and how to fix them. If you don’t have the time to be tightening bolts, this might be the best option.
Contact Peloton live chat here or give them a call at 866-679-9129. Wait times for technicians vary, but it’s best to make an appointment sooner rather than later.
Check the coverage of your warranty here, the service you are entitled to depend on whether you got the Limited Warranty or the Extended Warranty.
5 Maintenance Tasks You Should Be Doing
Clean The Bike Regularly
Dust is a magical material, I truly have no idea how it gets into some of the spaces I find it in.
Wipe down the Peloton after each exercise, as meticulously as you can. Nothing harsh, even baby wipes will do. I take a microfiber cloth and use a bike protectant on all of the surfaces. Remember to start on places like handles and the seat first, and move downwards.
Clean your screen with a lens-safe cleaning solution and a soft microfiber cloth. Don’t make the mistake of using paper or dirty towels, you could easily scratch your display permanently.
Use A Bike Mat
Do it for your home and your Peloton! Exercising indoors shouldn’t bring scuffed floors, and the mat will also ensure that your pedaling doesn’t lift the feet of your exercise bike. Specially designed to absorb that kind of downforce, and easily cleanable, this is a must-have for Pelotoners.
Use A Cover For Your Peloton
I know, it’s not a convertible Corvette from the 60s, but a cover is still a great idea for the Peloton. Dust is your enemy, and you must thwart it by restricting air travel around your exercise bike.
Of course, some riders just drape tarps or other covers over their Pelotons, but here’s something a little more tailor-made. Tuck your Peloton in after your ride is finished!
Dry Oil Pedal Threads
This is an area that should get a little dry oil from time to time, I’d recommend every couple of months for regular Peloton users.
Twist off your pedals by locking the resistance knob and then using a wrench, loosen them by turning counterclockwise on the right and clockwise on the left. You’ve now got some pedal threads to clean with a dry cloth, then lubricate, and reattach.
Do not use WD-40 for this, it’s a penetrant more than a lubricant, and it could strip valuable lubrication from your exercise bike parts.
Dry Oil Seat Threads
Before you start, make a note of the height of your seat, or you’ll be annoyed later.
Use an Allen key to unscrew your seat from the seat peg, clean it and lubricate it before you put it back in. Tighten it, but make sure you don’t overtighten it.
You can also pull the entire seat stem out of its housing and wipe it clean, grit and dust can get down there too.
Tighten The Pedals And Seat Monthly
Bolts loosen, screws unscrew, magically and mysteriously. Avoid this by tightening your screws and bolts each month.
Some of the screws on your Peloton don’t need to be checked monthly, such as the ones on the base and handles. Pedal and seat screws tend to loosen quicker, so take a quick look each month. Check the tightness of your cleat screws too!
The Last Mile
I’m on my second Peloton now, and I made some mistakes with my first bike. I tore through countless bearings and pedals because of my infrequent cleaning, I won’t make that mistake the second time. I religiously clean my Peloton on the first Sunday of the month after my ride.
I’ve written almost a dozen Peloton articles this year, and some of them might enhance your ride. I hope your clicking noise is a thing of the past after reading this article, keep it clean and push yourself to the limit!
