Creaking levers/bars/stem

doug5_10
doug5_10 Posts: 465
edited May 2013 in Workshop
I've had this for years and couldn't find much on search. Not really a major issue, just gets a bit annoying. Creaking noise occurs when on the hoods and applying power out of the saddle i.e. mainly climbing. All contact surfaces are clean and everything sufficiently tightened up. Can this happen if things are over-tightened? ITM Alu bars and carbon wrapped stem (both fairly basic) and Tiagra 4400 levers.
Edinburgh Revolution Curve
http://app.strava.com/athletes/1920048

Comments

  • No Sweat
    No Sweat Posts: 103
    Creaks often are not generated from where they appear to come.... Have you checked the bottom-bracket / crank-B/B interface (if not an external B/B) and pedal-crank interface?
  • doug5_10
    doug5_10 Posts: 465
    No, definitely the cockpit area, I can generate the noise by pushing down hard on the hoods at a standstill. Bike also had a recent full strip down which didn't cure it (hence knowing all mating surfaces are clean and everything is tight)
    Edinburgh Revolution Curve
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/1920048
  • No Sweat
    No Sweat Posts: 103
    Clutching at straws maybe, but are there any 'occult' cracks that only open when you apply leverage (and hear the creaking)? - do you have an able assistant who could take a look round whilst you apply pressure?
  • ed_j
    ed_j Posts: 335
    Almost always the stem bolts. Cover them in grease.
    Principia RSL
    Giant XTC 26"
  • doug5_10
    doug5_10 Posts: 465
    Greased the bolts clamping the bars and the steerer tube, also the lever clamping bolts with no real joy. As its being going on so long I'm starting to think its just the bars flexing. They are cheap ITM Alu Super Europa 2 and I can feel slight give in them under pressure. That and they are not over-sized, so the stem clamping area is relatively small.
    Edinburgh Revolution Curve
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/1920048
  • ed_j
    ed_j Posts: 335
    Are they undersized bars? As in not the modern 31.8?
    Principia RSL
    Giant XTC 26"
  • doug5_10
    doug5_10 Posts: 465
    Yep, they're the older 25.4 standard, not over-sized 31.8
    Edinburgh Revolution Curve
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/1920048
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I remember in the 70s my alu bars used to creak like mad if I was heaving on them. Probably a combination of skinny bars and a quill stem with a single clamp bolt. Still going strong when the bike was nicked in the 80s. Modern stuff seems a lot stiffer / virtually silent by comparison.

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