creaking/cracking noise coming from BB area.

mik75

I have a 15 month old Orange 5 Pro that has recently been in for a hefty £300 service. This included new shock seals, forks serviced at Mojo and bottom bracket replaced amongst other things.

I asked for the bb to be replaced as I was getting a creaking/cracking noise coming from that area when pedalling hard (usually up hill). I had the standard RaceFace replaced with a Hope Ceramic. The rings are relatively new (< 3 months) as are the chain and cassette (all replaced at the same time due to wear).

The problem is I'm still getting the noise. Whats worse is that its happening all the time when I'm pedalling hard and now not just up hill. Can anyone help me diagnose this as I've just spoke with the BS and they are willing to take it back but theres a wait and I'm reluctant to miss more ride time (after a lay off with the service and a fractured shoulder).

Could the Hope Pro 2 hub be at fault? I posted on here last week regarding intermittent chain suck when backpedalling (usually when the bike is stationary) as the rear cassette seems to stick slightly. This seems fine when pedalling though.

I've checked the saddle/post as I thought this may be causing the noise but it occurs when out of the saddle pedalling.

Help! Its driving me mental! Any ideas?

nicklouse

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12574934

is it the bb?

NikB

Had a similar problem myself. The bike went back 3 times. One of the possible problems is the rear QR skewer, I borrowed a different one but it wasn't the fault in my case.
In mine it was the Hope headset that was making the noise. Now it's been cured after being stripped down.

mik75

Thanks for the info Nick, thats great. The noise only occurs once during a revolution of the pedals which indicates a problem in the crankset or pedal area (according to the link). I'll negate the latter as the noise was there with my old pedals as well as my new (replaced after first ride since service).

The problem is the recommendations for crank and rings has not only been done by me prior to the service but also by the mechanic during the service.

Not sure if its the bb. Wish i knew. I'd had a RaceFace bb fail on me within the first 8 months of riding. When the noise started a couple of months back I assumed it had happened again. when the bike went in for a service last month I asked them to check and replace with a Hope Ceramic.

I've ridden 3 times since the service. The first ride I heard the noise once or twice on a couple of climbs but that was it. The second and third ride it happened all the time.
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NikB

Initially my problem was only under hard pedalling and didn't appear when I was coasting. Eventually it progressed to being there most of the time.

mik75

Cheers NikB.

The steering was feeling stiff prior to service so had Hope headset bearings re-greased. Not being totally clued up in whats involved I'm not sure if that requires a full strip down or not.

Did your problem sound like it was coming from beneath you/drivetrain/bottom part of the frame??

mik75

"Initially my problem was only under hard pedalling and didn't appear when I was coasting. Eventually it progressed to being there most of the time."

Hmmmm, thats like my noise fault.

ride_whenever

Re-grease crank axle, also check chainring bolts for tightness and pop a dab of grease between the spider and rings.

are you clipless or flats...

mik75

Thats been done twice already ride_whenever without success. i ride clipless but these have been checked also (and replaced just before the last ride).

thefartingcockeral

Hi, have you cleaned and re-lubed your drivetrain. It may sound silly but I had the same problem. Took the axle out and regreased it all and nothing changed. Tighted all the bolts, no difference, so I just gave the crank chain, sprocket and mechs a damn good clean and it has helped a lot. I may be barking up the wrong tree but you never know. My drive train was not particulary dirty but just dusty and tinny sounding. Now really smooth (which it was before) but quiet as a mouse farting in space.

mik75

Yep, mainly do this after most rides. Will try and ride again today and then give it a really good fettle.

Unfortunatelly i can see it going back to the shop for a closer inspection. The issue sounds like NikBs but i had the forks removed for servicing and in turn the headset bearings re-greased.

I've stripped the drive train and re-greased/lubed prior to service and this was done at service when the new bottom bracket was installed.

Thanks everyone, appreciated.

ride_whenever

Are you sure it isn't your cleats squeaking on the pedals... or can you replicate the noise with flats (you said you changed pedals, but just in case they were both clipless)

Are your legs the same length? If not then possibly it could be stem/handlebar creak. Does it happen when handsfree?

Bmjboy

I had similar troubles about a month ago, short story is that all BB needed lubing and reseating....

Discussion is here with ppl with similar problem and my response around that time>>

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12579895

mik75

Bloody typical. After all those posts, advice and suggestions I rode this morning in an attempt to pin-point the issue. Guess what! The drivetrain was smooth and never made a sound.

The later part does worry me though as the freehub on the Pro 2s have a distinctive noise and mine now sounds like its on mute. So, I'm thinking that the hub is where the problem lies. Anyone experienced this before?

ride_whenever

Is it a new hub? Could just have been the cassette settling onto it properly. Whip it off and have a look then re-attach and crank on nice and hard(40Nm IIRC).

mik75

Nah its 15 months old but the cassette is relatively new (3 mths). Gonna nip it in somewhere tomorrow so they can have a look and get their opinion. I need to know whether it will be OK as I'm off to Wales for the weekend on Friday.