Bicycle Mechanics - Handlebars creaking???

Can someone let me know if this is normal.

I have a Kona MTB with Kona bars and stem (haven't changed since I bought the bike brand new about 2 years ago).

For the last long while (maybe a year or maybe since I bought it) I have heard a creak that sounds like it might be the bar in the stem. I am wondering if this is normal or should I worry about it. It only creaks when I am really pulling on the bar (like taking off or climbing, etc.) It doesn't sound like it's about to break or anything like that, it sounds very solid (which is why I haven't worried about it).

Can anyone tell me if I need to replace anything, adjust anything or is it normal to hear such creaks.

Yes tis normal. Alu. bar's will do that over time, it is just fatigue.

Thanks. Should I just leave it alone?

Totalkos,

I've had creaky handlebars on both my road bikes - from new on my Dawes and on my old winter bike, after installing new alloy bars & stem. The problem was where the bars and stem meet. When the bars flex the aluminium surfaces of bar and stem don't slide smoothly as the bar flexes but stick and slip past each other, resulting in a creak. A small amount of movement between these components cannot be avoided
I fixed this by removing the bar from the stem and applying a thin film of grease to the inside of the stem and around the bar. When everything is properly tightened up, there is no chance of the bars slipping/twisting out of position - I have ridden many trouble free (and quiet) miles. Please besure there is no damage to the bars or stem first though!

Hope this helps,

Ed

I agree, I had the same problem with my road bike. Noone could figure it out. I read my Zinn book and found out I should grease the stem and bar connection and tighten back up. Wham - no more creaking! That most likely is the problem. I rode it for 2000 miles, the creaking started on pulling during climbs, Im glad its gone, drove me nutz.