Bicycle Mechanics - Cane Creek S2 (1") headset question

I just got my mew bike last night(Habanero Custom Cross) in the mail. Took it out today for her maiden voyage. Everything was great until I got to my turnaround point. Besides the headwind my "new" bike began a wonderful
"creaking" noise. It is coming from the headtube, more specifically the lower end at the fork race. The noise happens under weight more loudly than not.


I double checked the bolts and made sure that they were not over tight. I noticed that this headset uses cartridge bearings. Are they supposed to have the healthy dose of grease that the older style do. If so, then that is most likley my problem. I did check some older posts that recommended greasing the entire sterrer(sp). Let me know if you have heard of this before and if the fixes are just.

It is no fun having a new bike that makes a noise that others have to be saying "What the hell is wrong with that guys bike???"

Thanks in advance.

I just installed a Cane Creek S2 on my bike and it shouldn't need any grease on the bearing nor the steerer tube. Mine is smoooth. Check if the lower race/compression ring is seated flat.

When does the creaking happen? When your pedaling? Pedaling seated or standing? Only when you turn the handlebars? Etc. Sometimes sounds come from parts other than what it seems to be coming from.

I just installed a Cane Creek S2 on my bike and it shouldn't need any grease on the bearing nor the steerer tube. Mine is smoooth. Check if the lower race/compression ring is seated flat.

When does the creaking happen? When your pedaling? Pedaling seated or standing? Only when you turn the handlebars? Etc. Sometimes sounds come from parts other than what it seems to be coming from.

I will check the race for flatness. The sound happens anytime the handlebar is turned either way, sit/stand did not change the severity of the noise thought it did seem to get louder as I got closer to home. It is on the stand now and after I disassembled it today and reassembled it, making sure nothing was binding, there is a noise when the bar is turned from the back of the fork near the headtube.

This is a Winwood carbon fork with a alloy sterrer, if that would make any difference.

Note: there was no noise for the first 15 miles it was only after I took a break and started back home the not so beautiful music began.

Mine is on a steel cross fork but I think it shouldn't make a difference though. A bent alloy steerer would suck; luckily that would be fairly unlikely.

The headset only needs to be compressed enough to take out the play. When you tighten the compression cap, make sure it is only tight enough to remove the play then tighten the stem.

I think it is the handlebars. try torquing the handlebar clamps up to their max torque. if that doesn't work, try putting some grip tape on the handlebars to keep them from moving.

The reason I am so sure that it isn't the headset is because headsets don't usually creak, they usually just bind, especially on a pretty nice headset like the s2.

Mine is on a steel cross fork but I think it shouldn't make a difference though. A bent alloy steerer would suck; luckily that would be fairly unlikely.

The headset only needs to be compressed enough to take out the play. When you tighten the compression cap, make sure it is only tight enough to remove the play then tighten the stem.

I totally removed the fork and headset cleaned and re-installed, did add a little grease to the steerer on the crown end. Took it for a spin around the block a few times and all seems well.

Thanks for your insight and I'll report after next Saturdays longer adventure.

Later.

In my experience, 99% of creaking noise in that area comes from handlebar clamp or stem itself...

In my experience, 99% of creaking noise in that area comes from handlebar clamp or stem itself...

Is it possible to create noises by overtighting bolts? I am pretty darn sure the noise was originating from the lower end of the headtube. It was actually louder with me off of the bike then it was while the bike was on the stand with no weight on it.


I dont know where it was but it is gone for the time being. I'll keep you posted.
thanks