Bicycle Mechanics - Squeak in the drive train. What to check?

About three days ago I started noticing a squeak (definitely hadn’t been there the previous day) that seems to be somewhere in the drive train (only seems to squeak while the pedals and gears are in rotation maybe every 5-6 strokes..) I’ve lubed the chain, checked the derailleur, and even took it in to the local store. They weren’t able to find anything while it was on the stand. I also thought about my shoe cleats since I’ve heard Look cleats are notorious for causing squeaks. However, it sounds more like a metal on metal type of squeak. I haven’t been able to isolate the location of the noise (front or back). Any other ideas on what to check before finding a way to live with it?

Easiest way to eliminate your cleats/pedals woudl be to put on normal shoes and ride around the neighberhood and see if it still there. Atleast then that would be eliminated it.

I've tried that and i couldn't really hear anything. Then I came back and put on my cleats, but still didn't notice anything. I'll try the other set of cleats I have I suppose.

Tight link or dry pulley wheels?

I looked for a tight link before but couldn't find one. I'm pretty new at this, what's the pulley wheel? Is it that little "cog" underneath the rear derailleur?

edit: I went for a total cleaning tonight. Everything was rinsed off and throughly cleaned, then lubed. Hopefully tomorrow the ride will be squeakless:)

I had a similar problem with an enexplainable squeek, and it turned out to be what resident suggested - dry pulley wheels (the little cogs under the derailler). I just dropped some lube where the wheel spins around the "axle" (if anybody knows a better way to word this, please!) Anyway, that cleared it all up. Good luck!

Well, after a thorough cleaning and re oiling everything the squeak went away. For maybe 10 minutes that is. Whatever it's coming from, it's getting more frequent. I’ll probably get another tune up sometime soon, so I’ll just have the store look at it then. Thanks for your help anyways.

i had a squeek...it really bugged me.
one shop i brought it to, after taking everything related to the driveline apart, said it happens sometimes (squeeking). i did NOT like that answer. i brought the bike to another shop (One on One in Minneapolis), and the great folks there found and fixed the problem in less than 5 min. i had one loose chainring bolt.

i had a squeek...it really bugged me.
one shop i brought it to, after taking everything related to the driveline apart, said it happens sometimes (squeeking). i did NOT like that answer. i brought the bike to another shop (One on One in Minneapolis), and the great folks there found and fixed the problem in less than 5 min. i had one loose chainring bolt.

Well, it turned out to be an ungreased chain. No idea how it got to that point since I regrease every week. All fixed up and riding smooth now though :) Thanks for your help though, I'll be sure to check the things you mentioned if I ever experience another squeak.

Please tell me that you mistyped when you said that you grease your chain. Grease is not chain lube

Please tell me that you mistyped when you said that you grease your chain. Grease is not chain lube
Ah, I did. I use chain lube, not grease. I couldn't think of the correct word at the time. But I'm definitely not lathering it with grease, just pro link :D

OK, so did you or did you not actually lube your chain before all of this? Maybe you should change lubes.