Bicycle Mechanics - How come the crank creaks when it cold out?

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Jerseysbest
02-20-06, 04:30 PM
It was below freezing and my bike was outside all night. I get on to ride about 3 miles and it creaks the whole way. It warmed up later (about 4 hours) and on the way home the creak went away?

Should I check the bottem bracket? Its an older fuji road bike, probably like 20 yrs old, that didn't get riden much till I got it 2 months ago. There is some play when I move the crank arm to the side, but not much. Do I tighten something?

Thanks for any help.

CBolt
02-20-06, 05:08 PM
If both crank arms move when you shake one of them, then the BB is loose. If only one arm moves then that arm is loose. I dunno why it creaks when its cold but mine does that too and nothing is loose.
Wil Davis
02-20-06, 06:45 PM
Check the cranks - I wonder if they've ever been re-tightened in the past 20 years.

- Wil

ivan_yulaev
02-20-06, 09:08 PM
Probably because when metal gets cold, holes in it expands while solid pieces contract. Hence, the interface's play increases.
rmfnla
02-20-06, 10:10 PM
Probably because when metal gets cold, holes in it expands while solid pieces contract. Hence, the interface's play increases.

Exactly. Tighten the bolts.
germs
02-20-06, 10:32 PM
Heh. Same thing happens to me. Mine were just tightened recently too.
At least on my fixie I don't have to worry about my shift cables freezing and being stuck in a rediculous gear.
top506
02-21-06, 07:51 AM
I dunno why it creaks when its cold but mine does that too and nothing is loose.

So does my left knee......
:D
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