Creaking when i pedal

teulk

Its starting do do my head in a bit now, there is creaking noise. I know it could be a number of things but this is what ive found / done. Ive changed the pedals - still creaks. Put old ones back on - still creaks. Greased pedal threads - still creaks. Tightend stem bolts - still creaks. Tightend all seat / seat post bolts - still creaks. Checked the chain doesnt rub on front defaileur - it doesnt. If i cycle without holding the handle bars it still creaks. if i cycle out of the saddle it still creaks. i havent tightend the BB as i dont have a tool for that - yet. I have found that if i cycle and gently shimmy / rock the bike from side to side using the handle bars the creaking stops when im peddaling but returns as soon as i stop the process.

Anyone got any ideas - i guess i should just take it back to the shop as its only 4weeks old but id ont wnat to be without my bike

ratty2k

Saddle and seatpost is always worth a look. But tightening/ checking the BB would be favourite.

cee

your knees?

MrChuck

QRs or cable outers moving a little against the stops?

timpop

Anyone got any ideas - i guess i should just take it back to the shop as its only 4weeks old but id ont wnat to be without my bike

Yes, they should give it a quick tweak that won't leave you without the bike for long. Most bike shops will do that for free for new bikes bought from them. It'll need it anyway as it's new. Is it full suspension? Could be a hinge or something. Maybe your headset? Who knows? To the shop teulk! :shock:

AndyOgy

I had that on my Rockhopper when it was new. It was frustrating because everything on the bike was working exactly as it should but I just had this creaky, almost clicky sound when I pedalled. It was enough to make people look round as I cycled past them.
I ended up going to LBS and buying BB remover, crank extractor, grease etc. I removed the chainset, took off the chainrings and sprayed the whole lot with muc-off. I then removed the BB and cleaned the threads (muc-off and a toothbrush). Then rinsed the whole lot thoroughly and allowed to dry. When I re-assembled it all, I smeared a generous coating of grease on every point where metal touched metal, especially on every screw thread (including the allen bolts that hold the chainrings to the crank).
Whilst I was at it, I also smeared a light coating of grease on the seatpost and took the saddle off to grease the rails. Also, on the advice of LBS, I took out the bottle cage allen bolts and greased those too.
I'm not actually sure what fixed it. But now, the only sound my bike makes is the clicking of the freewheel.

timpop

AndyOgy wrote:

I had that on my Rockhopper when it was new. It was frustrating because everything on the bike was working exactly as it should but I just had this creaky, almost clicky sound when I pedalled. It was enough to make people look round as I cycled past them.
I ended up going to LBS and buying BB remover, crank extractor, grease etc. I removed the chainset, took off the chainrings and sprayed the whole lot with muc-off. I then removed the BB and cleaned the threads (muc-off and a toothbrush). Then rinsed the whole lot thoroughly and allowed to dry. When I re-assembled it all, I smeared a generous coating of grease on every point where metal touched metal, especially on every screw thread (including the allen bolts that hold the chainrings to the crank).
Whilst I was at it, I also smeared a light coating of grease on the seatpost and took the saddle off to grease the rails. Also, on the advice of LBS, I took out the bottle cage allen bolts and greased those too.
I'm not actually sure what fixed it. But now, the only sound my bike makes is the clicking of the freewheel.

That'll do it.

nudgebars

I had this issue and went through the process of BB extraction, re-greasing pedal bearings, etc. The actual problem in my scenario was easy to resolve. Removed the saddle, smeared grease on the rails, wiped of excess and replaced saddle. Silence was once again golden!

I hope this cures your torture.

toontra

In my case it was the bottom bracket shell of the frame not having been properly faced before the bottom bracket was fitted. Once you're ruled out all else, get the shell re-faced by a LBS.

sgray100474

I had this problem recently and it turned out to be the freehub starting to break down

rob8881

I've got the same problem with my Specialized Pitch Comp. It's driving me mental. Bought from an online retailer my options are limited. I'm gonna get some grease and and lub everything but the brakes. Any suggestions on which type of grease?

xtreem

I had that problem but only whan I was applying pressure on the pedals, crank.
What I've done is, sprayed some WD40 inside the BB and the noise was gone.
No problems for 8 months.

But probably you shouldn't spray WD40 on the BB, so use motor/car oil maybe?

Kiblams

I have had a similar issue twice, the first time lubricating the chain fixed the issue and the second time removing the cranks and cleaning the grit off the cranks and 'square taper bits' fixed the issue. One of the things you have to live with when you are running a square tapered BB? Always coming loose

.blitz

teulk wrote:

Its starting do do my head in a bit now, there is creaking noise. Anyone got any ideas - i guess i should just take it back to the shop as its only 4weeks old but id ont wnat to be without my bike

It's almost certainly the BB. Mine was imperceptibly loose but it creaked on every pedal stroke. The tools aren't expensive and if it happens again you will be able to fix it yourself.

MrChuck

In my experience bike shops for some reason willl insist it's not the BB, even though I've learned that's exactly what it's likely to be!

The Rookie

Kiblams wrote:

I have had a similar issue twice, the first time lubricating the chain fixed the issue

My creak/squeak was my chain, quick lube up, noise gone, decided to regrease the rear jockey wheels as that was where the noise was coming from, now think it was the chain as it wound through the (smallest diameter it goes through) Jockey wheels.

Simon

Raymondavalon

Great Topic this..

A mate who I ride with is also a roadie and pedals quite hard. He has a newish Giant Trance and the BB creaks and groans like the timbers of a wooden ship. I've told him it needs a looking at but it doesn't seem to bother him at all. It annoys me though..
Good to know it can be sorted with some TLC and grease. I will certainly point his at this Thread,.,,

holiver

I've always found creaking to be the BB as well. Just pop into your LBS and ask them to tighten it, as it takes 30 seconds. Also, keeping it well lubed helps too.