Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Creaking Cranks/BB/??

I've been experiencing a creaking noise (similar to if your crank bolts aren't tight enough) from the cranks/BB area, but I'm at a loss as to what it could be. I just tore the entire thing apart, re-greased (bolts and all), and torqued as hard as I could, but I'm still creaking along. The cranks are shimano ultegra road doubles attached to a shimano octa-link BB and I worried that something may be wrong with the set-up as I had no un-explainable creaking with my shimano 105's & UN BB. I've had friends run octa-link stuff on fixed gears before with no problem and I'd like to have my super-stealth IROSE back up to speed. Any ideas?

-Erik

I'm in the same boat as you. All new groupbuy frame and shimano cartridge BB. I tore apart and greased all threads. Chainring bolts are very tight. The spindle has grease on it (and has before)... that probably isn't the problem though??

I get a lot of creaking while backpedalling/trackstanding.

The same thing is happening to me right now. (conversion shogun road frame, tange sealed BB and sugino mighty cranks) I didn't want to take it into the shop, but I think I may have to. As far as solutions go, I have no clue.

Could be the BB. Did you service the BB? My road crank clicks, but I cannot figure out from where it is coming. I am thinking mine is from the cadence sensor, not being snug.

I ripped out the BB, regreased the threads, cleaned out the shell, and re-installed (making sure everything was quite snug). Is that what you mean by servicing the BB? I can't think of what else I could do to a cartridge.

-Erik

it might be loose pedals. take off, regrease and then put back on. i was going crazy trying to fix a creaking BB. i reserviced my BB and tightened my chainring bolts but it turned out to be slightly loose pedal - go figure. advice i was given in another thread: check in drivetrain in this order - pedals, chainring bolts, bb.


now if i can only get a silent back cog.

I'm in the same boat as you. All new groupbuy frame and shimano cartridge BB. I tore apart and greased all threads. Chainring bolts are very tight. The spindle has grease on it (and has before)... that probably isn't the problem though??

I get a lot of creaking while backpedalling/trackstanding.

Same thing is happening on my groupbuy with a shimano cartridge bb. I had some squeaking that turned out to be the seat, but this is a different squeak. I tried the same stuff, and think it might be that plastic cup with the cartridge, but that doesn't make much sense. Kinda stumped on this one too...

Creaking noises can mysteriously come and go..sometimes you figure it out, sometimes you don't. You just have to fiddle around with one part at a time until the problem goes away. Peristence is your friend.

1. A few month ago my road bike with Ultegra drive train was popping and creaking like crazy. I greased and retightened everything I could think of, practically reassembled the whole bike, and it still creaked...I let the bike sit for a while and now the creak is totally gone. The origin of the creak remains a mystery.

2. Two weeks ago my track bike drive train started acting up...creaking and popping when pedaling hard. This time I was able to isolate the cause...a faulty Phil Wood bottom bracket, which is now being shipped back to Phil for repair (under warrantee). Meanwhile I'm using a Shimano BB, which is working fine.

I'm in the same boat as you. All new groupbuy frame and shimano cartridge BB. I tore apart and greased all threads. Chainring bolts are very tight. The spindle has grease on it (and has before)... that probably isn't the problem though??

I get a lot of creaking while backpedalling/trackstanding.

while backpedling? i used to get that sound when i first got my fixed gear together, it was caused by having the chain tension uber tight. i now live by the half-inch chain play rule. my drivetrain is deathly silent. my suggestion

As long as your chain isn't too tight, those of you with cartridges and creaks probably need to get the BB shell chased and faced and then get a new BB. Especially with the group buy bikes, low-end tigged steel = BB shell distortion, and the paint doesn't help matters.

Edit: also, if these things don't have drain holes, you should drill one.

i check these
saddle/seatpost (just stand up and pedal, does it still make the noise?)
pedals (swap em out)
crankarm bolts (need to be damn tight)
chainring bolts

i do all that before even thinking of messing with the bottom bracket. 95 percent of my bottom bracket issues have actually been something else.

I had my GB frame completely prepped at my LBS (raced and chased). I'm going to take her apart again tonight and take a look at the BB-- I have a suspicion that the splines might have some wear in them. I'm going to check pedals too-- can't be too careful.

I've been experiencing a creaking noise (similar to if your crank bolts aren't tight enough) from the cranks/BB area, but I'm at a loss as to what it could be. I just tore the entire thing apart, re-greased (bolts and all), and torqued as hard as I could, but I'm still creaking along. The cranks are shimano ultegra road doubles attached to a shimano octa-link BB and I worried that something may be wrong with the set-up as I had no un-explainable creaking with my shimano 105's & UN BB. I've had friends run octa-link stuff on fixed gears before with no problem and I'd like to have my super-stealth IROSE back up to speed. Any ideas?

-Erik

Check your saddle

Just searching this thread worked for me.. It was a new pedal that was loose.. thanks

Just searching this thread worked for me.. It was a new pedal that was loose.. thanks

If you hear hooves, think horses not zebras

My clicks/creaks come and go on the recently built IRO.

My clicks/creaks come and go on the recently built IRO.

i think everyone needs to remember that some creeks and clicks are to be expected with a new drivetrain as everything "breaks in."

Replaced my cheap BMX cranks with these really neat looking, RD-style cranks (42 tooth chainring built into the left arm though) I found at the place I volunteer last night.

Creaks are gone! :)

also, i noticed a lot of my "creaking" was from my saddle which is still breaking in

Replaced my cheap BMX cranks with these really neat looking, RD-style cranks (42 tooth chainring built into the left arm though) I found at the place I volunteer last night.

Creaks are gone! :)

I hope you paid for these things that you found