Creaking sound driving me crazy!
Is there anything worse than a mysterious creak! Here's my problem. I can't pin down where the creaking sound is coming from. I initially thought it was from the head tube. I tightened down the stem bolts and the steering tube bolt. No improvement. Took the peddles off (Look Keo), greased the threads, put a drop of lube on the springs, pedal plate and my cleats. No improvement. I washed the bike and lubed chain, dropouts, etc. No improvement. I tightened the seat post clamp, chainring bolts, the derailleur hanger, and the seat rails. Sound is still there.
It's a creaking sound that goes away if I stop peddling OR if I get out of the saddle or sprint. It's every peddle stroke rotation. It's driving me absolution bonkers. If I had the right tools to adjust the crank set I would do that. It's a three year old Trek Emonda.
Any advice? I don't have the skills/knowledge to disassemble the bottom bracket. I guess if it turns out that is the problem I'm in for an expensive trip to the shop.
Thanks in advance for any info. Really appreciate it.
It's a creaking sound that goes away if I stop peddling OR if I get out of the saddle or sprint. It's every peddle stroke rotation. It's driving me absolution bonkers. If I had the right tools to adjust the crank set I would do that. It's a three year old Trek Emonda.
Any advice? I don't have the skills/knowledge to disassemble the bottom bracket. I guess if it turns out that is the problem I'm in for an expensive trip to the shop.
Thanks in advance for any info. Really appreciate it.
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Not sure what you are running (probably Shimano) but its worth a look if you have bolts.
Otherwise, try spraying some GT85 around your pedals and cleats as my Looks can squeak when dry.
I've once had a creak caused by a very loose front skewer.
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I'd say given your description you too should be focusing on the saddle / seatpost
A couple of other points. You didn't say what sort of BB it was but apart from the possible, but not insurmountable, need for special tools, BBs are not really difficult to work on. As usual with these things, the internet is your friend and there is loads of guidance available. In any event, if you do have to resort to a shop for the job, it's not complicated and the labour bill shouldn't be too high.
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The cranks are the most obvious culprits and it looks like you haven't tried tightening them? They get loose over time, its pretty much unavoidable. Try tightening the cranks to the recommended torque. If it still creaks and it is quite old, go up to the maximum torque (but not over it obviously).
Even if the issue is the BB, before getting a new one, I would just try cleaning it. For me, I had unbearable creaking. When i tightened up my cranks it was mostly gone. I had a new BB at hand and was about to change it when I saw how dirty the old one had gotten. Cleaning it up solved any remaining niggly problems.
If you take the cranks off entirely, clean out any mud and grease thoroughly, lightly re grease the central crank bar/tube or whatever before you put it back in.
Mark the seat post level, pop it out, clean, paste, pop back in, do up clamp to proper level. Do same to seat.
Op chain ring bolts out, do the same.
If it is b/b it won't be that expensive a trip so don't worry about it.
If you go as far thinking wheels, just change them out for a mates and take it from there.
These things are annoying but not insurmountable and if you go through the bike properly it means that you know that everything is clean, pasted/greased and set up properly.
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour