Sharp Snapping/Creaking Noise

Soni
Soni Posts: 1,217
edited May 2009 in Workshop
Been experiencing sharp creaking/snapping noises coming from my bike when out of the saddle climbing up hills, it sounds to me like its coming from the cranks......

I've eliminated everything else, i've checked all the welds on the frame, no breaks, also removed the spedo sensor from the front wheel, just in case it was being caused by the wheel flexing on the climbs and the sensor hitting the receiver on the folks, and its still doing it.......what can be done if it is coming from the cranks?

Comments

  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,719
    Grease your stem and handlebars first. Knackered bottom brackets dont generally make the sound you're describing.
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    Seatpost, Seatpost, Seatpost, Seatpost, Seatpost, Seatpost, or maybe the handlebars / stem :wink: I have been there, always sounds like the BB or cranks but is usually something else. :D
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • Soni
    Soni Posts: 1,217
    I don't think its the seatpost because its only happening when i'm out of the saddle, i don't get any noise at all when i'm sitting down, could it still be the seat post?

    Also, i'm leaning over the handlebars when i'm climbing, and i almost sure that its not coming from them as the sound definetely sound like its behind my ears...... :?
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    It's still most likely to be the seatpost irrespective of whether you are seated or standing. the frame still flexes and the frame / seatpost interface creaks.
    Strip, clean, lube (grease or special compound for carbon frames) :D
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • pinkbikini
    pinkbikini Posts: 876
    clean and lightly grease front and rear dropout/wheel interfaces. Worth a try...
  • Soni
    Soni Posts: 1,217
    topdude wrote:
    It's still most likely to be the seatpost irrespective of whether you are seated or standing. the frame still flexes and the frame / seatpost interface creaks.
    Strip, clean, lube (grease or special compound for carbon frames) :D

    Can i use the same lube as i use on my chain for it?

    Also do the handbars as well?
  • Soni
    Soni Posts: 1,217
    pinkbikini wrote:
    clean and lightly grease front and rear dropout/wheel interfaces. Worth a try...

    Sorry mate not really up on the technical jargon, can you break that down for me please :oops:
  • Soni
    Soni Posts: 1,217
    OK Guys, i tried to get the seatpost out tonight and i can't even move the seat! It won't move left/right or up/down, i sprayed WD40 on it and tapped it lightly with a hammer!

    Any other ideas?
  • jonmack
    jonmack Posts: 522
    Well you're right in saying it could be the cranks, but as others have said it could be the bar/stem. Your best bet is to take the cranks off, and take the BB out (if you have the tool) and grease these areas thoroughly, then put everything back how it was and tighten it up to the correct torque settings.

    Again, with the bar/stem, take the bars off, lightly grease where the bar and stem join, and grease all the bolts (also a bit where the bolt heads sit wont hurt either). You may still notice the creaking for a few miles, but after 5-10 everything should settle down and stop. I had this problem with one of my bikes, I knew it was the cranks, and must have taken them off, and the bb out about a dozen times, until I finally put a touch of locktite on there, screwed it all back in, started riding it, and low and behold after a few miles it stopped.

    What pinkbikini suggested is to take the wheels out, and grease where the wheel axle sits in the frame/forks at the dropout area, and also grease the inside faces of the skewer where it clamps onto the drop outs.

    Hope I've been of some help, I'm no road rider, but I have been building bikes since I was about 12/13 (so nearly 10 years now :P ) so I tend to know the solution to annoying little problems like these.
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    OK Guys, i tried to get the seatpost out tonight and i can't even move the seat! It won't move left/right or up/down, i sprayed WD40 on it and tapped it lightly with a hammer!

    Looks like you have found the problem, removing a seized seatpost can be tricky, there have been loads of threads here about that.
    If you are not confident working on your bike this is one for your Local Bike Shop to sort out :D
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • Camion
    Camion Posts: 60
    I recently changed my crank bros egg beaters and sidi dragon mtb shoes for speedplays and carbon soled sidi ergo 2s and they creak like anything! Its definately the shoes or pedals as the bike was smooth as anything before. I dont want to start oiling my soles and pedals though.

    p.s it is a road bike, i just prefered the egg beaters for commuting and not slipping over on marble floors in the office in road cleats!

    Any suggestions?
    Colnago Extreme Power - Dura Ace
    1980s Colnago Master Steel - Super Record Delta
    Brompton M3L-X Raleigh Nitro MTB
    1981 Viscount Sport Orange Evo 8 single speed
    Specialized Langster Carerra Subway zero
  • Aggieboy
    Aggieboy Posts: 3,996
    Soni - I had a 'creaking' that I thought was from the cranks under the same circumstances when out with the RPCC 8) recently. It was simply due to the rear wheel not being tightened up sufficiently (thanks Rich!). Probably worth a try. Didn't help me up Ranmore though! :lol:
    "There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world, t'would be a pity to damage yours."
  • Soni
    Soni Posts: 1,217
    jonmack wrote:
    Well you're right in saying it could be the cranks, but as others have said it could be the bar/stem. Your best bet is to take the cranks off, and take the BB out (if you have the tool) and grease these areas thoroughly, then put everything back how it was and tighten it up to the correct torque settings.

    Again, with the bar/stem, take the bars off, lightly grease where the bar and stem join, and grease all the bolts (also a bit where the bolt heads sit wont hurt either). You may still notice the creaking for a few miles, but after 5-10 everything should settle down and stop. I had this problem with one of my bikes, I knew it was the cranks, and must have taken them off, and the bb out about a dozen times, until I finally put a touch of locktite on there, screwed it all back in, started riding it, and low and behold after a few miles it stopped.

    What pinkbikini suggested is to take the wheels out, and grease where the wheel axle sits in the frame/forks at the dropout area, and also grease the inside faces of the skewer where it clamps onto the drop outs.

    Hope I've been of some help, I'm no road rider, but I have been building bikes since I was about 12/13 (so nearly 10 years now :P ) so I tend to know the solution to annoying little problems like these.

    Many Thanks Jonmack for explaining the terminology used by pinkbikini, it makes perfect sense now! :D

    I may have to take it into a shop, as i don't have a tool to take that bottom bracket out with... :evil:
  • Soni
    Soni Posts: 1,217
    topdude wrote:
    OK Guys, i tried to get the seatpost out tonight and i can't even move the seat! It won't move left/right or up/down, i sprayed WD40 on it and tapped it lightly with a hammer!

    Looks like you have found the problem, removing a seized seatpost can be tricky, there have been loads of threads here about that.
    If you are not confident working on your bike this is one for your Local Bike Shop to sort out :D

    I can't believe its seized, its only about 7 months old....
  • Soni
    Soni Posts: 1,217
    Aggieboy wrote:
    Soni - I had a 'creaking' that I thought was from the cranks under the same circumstances when out with the RPCC 8) recently. It was simply due to the rear wheel not being tightened up sufficiently (thanks Rich!). Probably worth a try. Didn't help me up Ranmore though! :lol:

    Thanks Aggieboy, i took the rear wheel off the other evening and refitted it, but its still make the noise.....
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    In my humble opinion, you have already found the problem so stop skirting around it and get your LBS to remove the seatpost. :?
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • Soni
    Soni Posts: 1,217
    topdude wrote:
    In my humble opinion, you have already found the problem so stop skirting around it and get your LBS to remove the seatpost. :?

    Got a mate at work who's into cycling in a big way, does races etc., he's told me to bring the bike into work tommorrow and he'll lubricate the bottom bracket for me and check the saddle stem, so hopefully all will be well for the weekend!