Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Creaking noise

I have this creaking noise around the BB area that is driving me nuts. I tightened the BB, crank bolts but no improvement. What could be the problem? The creaking happens only when pressure is applied. When I am coasting it is whisper quiet. In fact, the creaking happens with both sides. I stopped the bike, put my left foot on the ground and start pushing the right pedal and I hear 3 or 4 creaks. I reverse the direction (starts pulling) and I hear a few creaks as well. I hear even more creaks when switch to pushing/pulling the left crank. When I am pedalling along it is usually the left that creaks every revolution. I have an ultegra BB with a 105 crankset. Did I not tighten the cranks enough? Maybe my allen wrench does not have enough leverage. I am confused.

Try removing the BB and putting some new grease on the threads, it might work...

didja grease the spindle/axle on the BB before slappin the cranks on?
(damn - goatmeal beat me by seconds on this response)

Try removing the BB and putting some new grease on the threads, it might work...

I will do so. But I have already put a layer of grease when I installed the BB.

']didja grease the spindle/axle on the BB before slappin the cranks on?
(damn - goatmeal beat me by seconds on this response)

I put some grease, dunno if that was enough.

didja grease the threads on the pedals too?
and is the BB fully seated in the BB shell?

']didja grease the threads on the pedals too?
and is the BB fully seated in the BB shell?

I beleive the answer to both questions is yes. I am not entirely sure on BB. On the right side it is completely inside the shell and is flush with the BB shell. On the left side it has a big ring which is tight against the shell. It looks like I might have to reinstall the BB. I am suspecting that the right side could be tightened more. I only tightened the left side ring the last time I tried to fix the problem.

I have this creaking noise around the BB area that is driving me nuts. I tightened the BB, crank bolts but no improvement. What could be the problem? The creaking happens only when pressure is applied. When I am coasting it is whisper quiet. In fact, the creaking happens with both sides. I stopped the bike, put my left foot on the ground and start pushing the right pedal and I hear 3 or 4 creaks. I reverse the direction (starts pulling) and I hear a few creaks as well. I hear even more creaks when switch to pushing/pulling the left crank. When I am pedalling along it is usually the left that creaks every revolution. I have an ultegra BB with a 105 crankset. Did I not tighten the cranks enough? Maybe my allen wrench does not have enough leverage. I am confused.

I had a similar situation and if this is totally not right then I'm a jerk. Are you sure it isn't your seat post and saddle? If it's creaking when you are off your saddle then obviously not, but it could be worth checking out.

I had a similar situation and if this is totally not right then I'm a jerk. Are you sure it isn't your seat post and saddle? If it's creaking when you are off your saddle then obviously not, but it could be worth checking out.

I noticed the creaking noise the first time I stood up and start applying back pressure on the pedals. I am pretty sure it involves BB/crank/pedal area. Thanks anyway.

I had a similar situation and if this is totally not right then I'm a jerk. Are you sure it isn't your seat post and saddle? If it's creaking when you are off your saddle then obviously not, but it could be worth checking out.

He's got a point. I have the same creaking problem. When I first heard it, I thought it was the crank/BB. I noticed that it went away went I coasted. Then I thought, is it the seat? Sure enough, the seat clamp needed some good tightening.

This weekend went to a 44T from a 36T and the creaking returns. I'm sure it's from the additional torquing. But it's not consistent like before. Curious if you find that it's a BB or crank issue. I have also considered the pedal as the source, I'll try to tighten tonite.

Check the chain ring stack bolts. I've had creaking noises when my chainring stackbolts loosen up and I spend all my time reefing down the crankarms...

I had a similar situation and if this is totally not right then I'm a jerk. Are you sure it isn't your seat post and saddle? If it's creaking when you are off your saddle then obviously not, but it could be worth checking out.

I had the same situation. Thought it was my BB or cranks until my seat started slipping.

Check the chain ring stack bolts. I've had creaking noises when my chainring stackbolts loosen up and I spend all my time reefing down the crankarms...

Found the culprit. Thanks cavit8 and all of you, it was the stack bolts. One of them was so loose that it was about to fall off. Others were semi-tight. Found that I forgot to grease them when I put them on the first time. Riding is so much fun now!