Bicycle Mechanics - creaking in bike somewhere

Ok, here's the deal. Got the P3 rode for a little while and it creaks like a mother. Pulled bb to see if that was the problem, regreased well and reinstalled. still creaking. Replaced entire drivetrain to see if it might be there for some reason. Still creaking. Went out to run errands today, sounds like creaking is in headtube area, first question is what would cause a creak in this area. second question is there something that should NOT be greased in the bar-stem-fork-headset area? Oh, one last thing. I checked all over for a crack in either a weld or just in the bike itself. Nothing.


Summary:

2001 P3 Aluminum frame
overhaul on bike from cranks back
creaking in head tube region gets more frequent when standing and pedaling.

Most likely your bar clamp. Happened to me once before.....only happened when hammering out of the saddle.

George!

Hehe :) Maybe also your front axle bearing is loose, or a tire is not perfectly round, the fork bearing? Did you hold the front brake and tried to push the bike? this way it's easy to see any movement in head tube bearings... How is the saddle? if you pedal without sitting on it, does it make the noise...

this question applies to me too....weird creaking in my headtube. Its either the race crown settling or the crown/steerer tube is crackin....give it a few days and see what happens.

Bike creaks are notoriously hard to isolate while on the bike. I had one last year and it turned out to be the plastic seat fram twisting on the rails. Sounded like it was coming from the pedals or bottom bracket.

If coming from the headtube area it could be the stem bolts or the headset bearings. Check here for possible solutions.
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml
Also Inoplanetyanin, a tire not being round will not creak and forks have never had bearings.

ok, I found that if I place the bike upside down, and brace it with my foot resting on the top tube, if I use a twisting motion with one hand on the chainstay and one on the fork I can make it creak that way, so does this mean something in the head tube/steerer area?

is it ok to grease the steer tube where it connects with the stem?

Ok, I've got it pinpointed to the part where the headtube meets the top tube and the down tube. I pulled apart the steerer, ans stem , lubed bolt threads, cleaned bearing races, put all back together, and if I try to twist the frame by holding the bar and using my arm as a lever between top and downtube, I can still make it creak. I've just about given up.

Lube everything that fits into everything else (BB cups, chainring bolts, headset, clamp, seatpost. )On a bike a creak can travel so you think it's from one area and it's actually from another.

jcivic00,

Sorry to hear about your creaking issue. I know from experience that finding the source of the noise and getting rid of it can be a painstaking process.

If the creak indeed originates at the front end (you never know with alu frames), and you have a threadless headset, make sure that the stem firmly 'presses down on' the (spacers and) headset. In my case, this can be regulated with the steerer cap.

And, as others said, make sure that the handlebar is properly tightened in the stem, and the stem is properly tightened around the steerer.

Eliminate play.


Originally posted by jcivic00
is there something that should NOT be greased in the bar-stem-fork-headset area?

Do not grease any carbon components.

Good luck!

OK, at this point I have three words for you. Local Bike Shop. Have the wrench ride with you in the parking lot and listen for the noise. After reading all the posts, I think you need to have your headset cups re-installed, but I'm not next to you, listening to your creak.

well, this sucks. The headtube seems to have a hairline fracture in it somewhere. The P3 is funny because all of the connections to the head tube ar inside of the main weld. which covers all of the headtube and the downtube. I'm wondering if there is one tube rubbing against another and it's causing the creak. I took it to the bike shop this morning. He suggested that I try another fork, or headset. So I did. I had another headset installed to see if it was that, still creaks. and the fork was not the problem either. There's just one thing left. I am not the original owner of the bike and I know that warranties do not transfer over to the new owner, so what, if any is my next course of action. Do I try to see if a local shop can get me a hook up and warranty the frame even though I'm not the original owner, or do I suck it up as a loss and look into getting(buying) a new frame. What would some of you do in my situation??

If I was you I would call up specialized and see what they could do for you, maybe they'llg ive you a discount on a new frame atleast, if not just take it as a loss and get a new frame.

I'm not familiar with your frame so bear with me. All tubes need an area to vent hot gases when welded (I'm guessing your frames not bonded). Its safe to assume your top tube isnt vented into the seat tube (but it might be) therefore its probably vented into the headtube. Your downtube could be vented at the BB, headtube, or at the waterbottle bosses. Regardless, try this. Remove your fork and look into the headtube for small holes leading into the top and downtubes. If they are both there your in buisness. Tip your bike onto the headtube and spray some lubricant into the tubes. If the squeeking goes away you either have tubes rubbing or you have a crack. If you cannot access the tubes try spraying into the waterbottles bosses or into the BB shell. Remember, the tubes are vented somewhere. where theres a vent theres a way to spray lube.