Modified on Wed, 26 Nov at 4:55 PM

Troubleshooting | Clicking Noise While Pedaling | MOD Sidecar

In this article: You’ll learn why rear spokes on the MOD Easy/Sahara can make noise when the sidecar is attached, what this means, and the steps you can take to resolve it safely.

This Article Applies to the Following Bikes

Difficulty

★★★ Advanced

Estimated Time

20 - 30 Min

Before You Start

Preparation

• Make sure your bike is safely parked and powered OFF.

Understanding the Issue

When the sidecar is attached, additional lateral stress is applied to the MOD Easy’s rear wheel. This is normal and expected.

Under this load, the spokes may:

• Rub slightly against each other

• Make a light rubbing sound — sometimes even a small frog-like croak from the rear wheel

• Shift and settle into place as the wheel flexes

This does not indicate a defect. It simply means the wheel is adjusting to the extra side load that comes from the sidecar.

How to Fix It

Step 1: Make Sure Your Sidecar Is Properly Aligned

If the sidecar is not aligned correctly, it can pull the bike to one side and add unnecessary tension to the spokes. Aligning the sidecar correctly usually reduces or completely eliminates spoke noise.

See How to Align the MOD Sidecar

Step 2: Go for a Short Ride to Let the Wheel Settle

After aligning the MOD Sidecar, go for a ride for a few minutes. If alignment was the issue, the spoke noise should fade or disappear completely as the spokes settle.

Step 3: Check the Result

If the noise is gone: Great — this is normal behavior, and you’re good to keep riding.

If the noise is still present: Continue to Step 4 below.

Step 4: Tighten Your Wheel Spokes

If spoke noise continues even after proper sidecar alignment and a test ride, the wheel likely needs a spoke tension adjustment or a minor true. Spoke tensioning is a precise job and cannot be done at home without the right tools and experience. Take your bike to a professional bike mechanic and explain:

“I’m using a sidecar on my e-bike. The extra side-load can loosen or shift the rear spokes. Can you check the rear wheel for proper spoke tension and true the wheel if needed?”

Any qualified bike shop can do this quickly.

Step 5: Routine Maintenance

• Before every ride, do a quick safety check: confirm nothing is loose or damaged, brakes and lights work, and tire pressure is correct.

• Once a month (or every 150 miles), check that all main bolts, stem screws, and fork screws are tight.

• Every 6 months or 500 miles, take your bike in for a professional tune-up.

• During the tune-up, ask the mechanic to inspect the rear wheel, check spoke tension, and true the wheel if needed. Especially important when riding with the MOD Sidecar.

This ensures safe, smooth performance.

Troubleshooting

• Light clicking or frog-like croaking noise from rear wheel after attaching sidecar → Align the sidecar and go for a short ride to let the spokes settle.

• Noise continues after alignment and test ride → Take the bike to a local bike shop for spoke tensioning or truing.

• Noise becomes louder over time → Re-align the sidecar and test ride again.

• Rear wheel feels loose or wobbly → Stop riding and have a mechanic inspect and true the wheel.

• Bike pulls to one side while riding → Re-align the sidecar using the Sidecar Alignment Guide.

FAQs

• Is this noise normal when using the sidecar?
  Yes. Light rubbing, clicking, or frog-like croaking sounds are common as the spokes settle under the additional side load.

• Will riding like this damage the wheel?
  Not if the sidecar is properly aligned and the wheel feels stable. If the wheel feels loose or the noise worsens, have a mechanic check it.

• Can I adjust the spokes myself?
  No. Spoke tensioning is precise and should be handled by a trained bike mechanic.

• Why does attaching a sidecar cause this sound?
  A sidecar adds lateral pressure to the rear wheel, which can cause spokes to shift slightly and rub against each other.

• What should I tell the bike shop?
  Tell them you are using a sidecar that adds side-to-side load on the rear wheel and that the spokes are making noise. Ask them to check spoke tension and true the wheel if needed.

• Is this part of normal bike maintenance?
  Yes. Spoke tension and wheel truing are standard services that any bike shop can perform.

Warning

⚠️ Important Safety & Liability Notice

Do not attempt to adjust or re-tension spokes unless you are a trained mechanic. Incorrect spoke adjustments can damage the rim, weaken the wheel, and create unsafe riding conditions. Always ensure the sidecar is properly aligned before riding. If the wheel feels unstable or the noise becomes severe, stop riding immediately and have a professional mechanic inspect the wheel.