Bicycle Mechanics - Ti bike creaking: as good as it gets?

Hi All,

I have an older Sampson ti hardtail that I recently had built up with Shimano parts, mostly XT (M750) and a few XTR (M952) parts in the mix. The shop did use liberal amounts of ti prep, but I still notice that under hard cranking, the bike creaks a bit. Of course I think I hear/feel it from the lower area of the bike, specifically the bottom bracket, but I could be wrong. Question is, if it is the bottom bracket, am I just going to have to live with it? I have heard rumors about ti bikes and BB noises, so if this is "the way it goes" I guess I'll just deal with it. But if plumber's tape on the BB (or some other fix) might take care of it, I'm all ears.

BTW, this is the XT with Octalink, not square taper.

load on the plumbers tape and everything should be fine. Also if you encounter problems with the headset / headtube area...i heard something about carbon fiber shims / spacers doing the job. I guess its just the metal...?

I recently did the same thing and was going to post a question about it, but you beat me to it. I have a Surley Cross Check (Reynolds 631 steel) with Ultegra BB and Crank. I also have Shimano pedals. If there is a way to alleviate the creak, I'd be much abliged to know a cure. At first, I thought it was the pedals. But I have since oiled them and that didn't fix a thing. Anyone encounter similar problems and have a good solution? Perhaps tightening something? Loosening? Greasing? Anything but tape, really!

Ditto the teflon tape on the BB threads. You're right, 90% of BB creaks turn out to originate somewhere else. When you're honkin', you're flexing the entire frame. Before tearing into the BB, check the grease on the seat post, possibly the saddle rails, too.