Repair

Hello, i have a question about my halfbike 2. Riding it for about two years. This has been the last time for such an unpleasant crackle. I don't know exactly where - or from a pedal or front wheel? Maybe you know what could be? Maybe bearings? What bearings are going on it? How to change or lubricate them and where to buy them?

Hi Saulius, You'll need to locate where the sound is coming from, so we can help you out. Could you try to move the wheels and pedals in one spot? Also, take a closer look at the frame for any cracks or other deformities.

Hi, Thanks for the answer. What do you mean, move in one spot?

Basically, try to move the parts, pedals and wheels so you can figure out where the sound is coming from.

I have discovered the same thing happening with mine. It's a cracking sound that was similar to when I had pedal threads failing on a different bike many years ago. But this is louder. I've been spending time trying to locate the cracking sound and I can tell that it's nothing in the rear wheels area including the hinge pin, springs, etc. It's definitely near the bottom bracket area. It's not the pedals where they thread into the crank but it's right in the bottom bracket area. It happens when I'm either pedaling harder (up a hill or just starting, etc.) or when the bike is leaning to one side with my body weight strongly counter acting it. It happens both when I'm pedaling and when coasting which makes me think it's stress on the frame and thus the screws connecting the frame to the bottom bracket area. But I don't see any cracks or deformation in that area. I can't tighten those screws as I don't have that kind of driver so I am considering bringing it into a shop to have them tested/adjusted/tightened. Any additional thoughts on this? or possibilities that it might not be those screws - like could it be something else in the bottom bracket area?

Hi Joel, You could check our lubrication tutorial and see if any of those steps would alleviate the noises - especially the candle wax > halfbikes.com/lubrication

Thanks Bo, I'll try those things. However, it's pretty clear that the cracking sound is coming from the bottom bracket area and it's a sharp quick clicking/cracking noise. I'll keep trying to pinpoint the location and let you know when I do. On a side note, for some reason, I haven't been receiving the email notices when chats I follow are updated. Thought I'd let you know in case there's some issue with the website and the automatic email generation. I just unclicked the "Send e-mail update" box and then checked it again so maybe this will do it... Cheers

Hi Joel, We've had a small problem with our email provider, but now everything should work as expected and you should receive the mails you didn't before. Thanks for the tip :)

Any update on this? Just today, my bike started doing what is described. Like Joel, I am not sure where the sound is coming from. It is in the crank, hub, or the crank mount. It is hard to ride and get my head down low to pin-point. I cannot make the noise when just turning the pedals, but I can feel a bit of vibration. It needs pressure that only comes from ridding the bike.

Also, I have lubricated the running gear and chassis. This did not help.

Ok, I am pretty sure it is in the crank-box. Here is what I am experiencing: 1. A clinking, grinding, tinkling sound when pressing down on a pedal. This happens in all three gears. 2. A coinciding vibration through the chassis when I hear the clinking noise. 3. The noise and vibration are worse when pedaling and leaning the bike at the same time. This will also produce a clicking. Makes me think it is a bearing issue. I checked the tightness on the crank-box fasteners. They are secure. I checked other fasteners. They are also secure. I lubricated all moving parts. It does not appear to be a friction issue.

Note-I am 170 lbs

Good description of the problem, Steve. That sounds very much like what I'm experiencing except that I may not be hearing as much of a grinding sound as you are. I do hear a grinding sound but it's only when I'm pedaling uphill or applying a lot of force on the crank while leaning. The click/crack sound happens more frequently and it's a sudden sharp sound and I can feel the shock vibration in my feet on the pedals. It's definitely in the crank box area and I, too, have checked the fasteners for tightness and can not see any signs of damage/wear in the area.

I spent time on Friday really getting into the bike. I took the entire rear carriage apart, cleaned, lubed, and reassembled. I made sure the through bolts on the crank-box were secure. I cleaned and lubed the crank-set and hub. After all of that, I was still getting the grinding and clinking sound. I had my son watch me ride the bide, and he thought the sound was coming from the spokes. I checked, and sure enough, I had loose spokes. I did not have the right size of spoke wrench, but yesterday I went by a bike shop and bought a wrench for the size of spokes. I had a number of loose spokes. I tightened all of the spokes. I then check the wheel for trueness. The noise is gone. I think the amount of lateral torque applied to the wheel hub will necessitate keeping an eye on the spokes.

Thanks for that analysis and update, Steve. I'll check on my bike, too, to see if it's the spokes.

Glad that you found the problem Steve. :) @Joel let me know if you manage to fix it through tightening.

Thank you all for your detailed explanations and how to solve this issue guys!

I've been riding my Halfbike for about three years now and I actually own two now plus the Halfbike3 I have ordered. My first halbike that I've been riding the most I have noticed that it has a tilt to the right even when Im not riding it. And when turing right is easier than turning left.

Hey, Majid. Would you please check the tutorial below, your Halfbike may need a bit of tuning up. In case there's no effect, feel free to contact us at hello@halfbikes.com and we'll figure out a solution. :) halfbikes.com/tune-up

The front wheel of my Halfbike 3 will not freely spin without the the pedals turning. In other words it will not coast. I performed the procedure to align the two yellow mark while the gear selector is in second gear but this had no effect to the problem. Is there an authorized repair dealer anywhere in the Washington DC (USA) area? Please advise on how I can get this corrected! Thank you,

Hi Kevin, I just sent you an email with detailed instructions on how to proceed. We do not have an authorized dealer in the US but this issue is warranty covered and we will assist you in bringing the Halfbike back to life. :)

BUENAS TARDES, RESIDO EN HUELVA SOY CRISTINA VENTURA ( ESPAÑA ) HUELVA , CON CODIGO VENTA SU PEDIDO NUMERO 11592, COMPRADA EN OCTUBRE 2019, MI EMAIL cris.lugares@gmail.com Y TELEFONO 676867741 PODRIAN DECIRNOS PASOS PARA SU REPARACION ?? SUBIENDO UNA CUESTA , SONO CRACK Y DEJO DE PEDALEAR, NO ENVIO FOTO PORQUE POR FUERA TODO ESTA PERFECTO, EL PROBLEMA PARECE ESTAR EN EL BUJE. GRACIAS MUCHAS GRACIAS , QUEDAMOS A LA ESPERA