Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - creaking cranks

Since I went fixed last week I have developed a case of the creaking cranks. What's this about? Does it matter? If so, how do I fix it?

Thanks much, in advance, for all of your expert advice:
Skitbra

Since I went fixed last week I have developed a case of the creaking cranks. What's this about? Does it matter? If so, how do I fix it?

Thanks much, in advance, for all of your expert advice:
Skitbra


I'm having the same problem. I have nutted cranks (came with the bike) and I have to tighten them down from time to time. I'm probably going to overhaul the BB to a cassette with a bolted crank, which should take care of the problem. If you already have a bolted crank, I'm not sure what might be causing the grief.

Cheers

Cam

Since I went fixed last week I have developed a case of the creaking cranks. What's this about? Does it matter? If so, how do I fix it?

Thanks much, in advance, for all of your expert advice:
Skitbra

try putting a lil grease on the square part of the BB spindle. ive noticed if it rains for a few days in a row the grease gets washed off the spindle and the cranks start to creak. or it could be that your chainring bolts are loose.

Or the cranks themselves could be not properly torqued down...

Or the cranks themselves could be not properly torqued down...

Ahhh...Que?

check your chainring bolts too. sometimes if they're just a little loose, it'll cause a creaking sound.

Que? Je ne pas parlez espanole....

Removing the dust caps (assuming they're still there -- mine always seem to migrate on me) will reveal either a bolt head or a nut on the end of the axle spindle. Older bikes, like mine, have nutted cranks. I think a 14 mm socket will fit the nut, a 15 mm for the bolt. Crank it down a bit. I don't use a torque wrench, but cross my fingers and hope I won't crack anything.

If the cranks stay loose, they can wear the taper on the spindle, pooching the whole thing as no amount of tightening will fix it if the taper is worn. I've seen arguments for grease/no grease on the spindle. I always get grease on mine anyway as I use cup and bearings. Given that it's not a friction fit, the grease probably just makes it easier to remove the crank, if anything.

A good basic reference is Jobst Brandt's FAQ (regardless of what you think of Jobst) refer to 8f.11 for crank discussion and 8a.7 for common torque values.

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/index.html

A little less verbose guide can be found at http://home.comcast.net/~jeffnapier/bikewebsite/

Cheers

Cam

Also if you do have a sealed BB, you might have to remove the entire unit and grease up the BB threads. Or it could be in the wheel, I have a wheel that creaks on what ever bike I put it on, even though the axle moves freely...

And if you have a really old fixie conversion it could simply be the frame (i had my favorite bike die after a creaking BB developed into a crack in the shell)

Could be a pedal too. Tighten them up or swap with another set. Sometimes the bearings get shot and the metal starts rubbing.

check your chainring bolts too. sometimes if they're just a little loose, it'll cause a creaking sound.


I agree with OTS. Ask me how I know..

I just did my weekly maintenance check and my chainring bolts were loose too... Tightening 'em up seems to have solved the creaking crank.

Cheers

Cam

Better to have a creaking crank than a sleeping crank I always say. Always. Really!

I agree with OTS. Ask me how I know..

OK, I'll bait: How do you know, W/K?

OK, I'll bait: How do you know, W/K?

clickhere (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=50164)

clickhere (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=50164)


Zoinks!

Ahhh...Que?

Gesundheit