Bicycle Mechanics - New Cracking Noise - Can't pinpoint

Hey.

Hibryd Fuji Absolute 2.0 2009 -

I keep it VERY well maintained. Maybe even too much - lube it every 2 rides 60 miles or so (dry), and more.

So yesterday I rode it for about 27 miles into a gravel / dirt / rocky bumpy and very dusty ride as well as a lot of road.

Once I got home and realized how filthy the bike was i knew I had to take at least 20 minutes to care for it. Filled a bucked with water and one drop of detergent. Wiped the bike off, dried everything especially all components. Did same to drivetrain; lubed with my dry lube. Tri flow on all other cables and joints too. Including BB and hubs (not sure I'm supposed to do this)

Today, I notice this " crack sound" like a click.. I start ruling out canditates and it starts driving me crazy.. It's in the front end - handle bar / head set / fork but I can't pinpoint it. I picked the bike up and flipped it to inspect carefully and don't see anything.

Could it be just minor dust in the headset / etc? It'll happen if I apply strong pressure downward on handlebars and in other instances too like after the pressure is relieved or going over some bumps...

Thanks.. OCDing about it :p

Does your bike have an adjustable rise stem? I believe some Fuji Absolutes did. Grab the bar like you are riding and push up and down on the grips to try to replicate the noise. If you hear the noise its the stem.

Tighten the 6mm bolt under the stem and check the torque of the two side bolts at the pivot. Some grease on the lower bolt wouldn't hurt either.

Check to see that your front skewers are tight enough. That usually explains a snapping or cracking sound coming from the front end of the bike.\

If it's the headset or handlebars, you generally should be able to make the cracking sound when you're not riding. Twist on the handlebars while standing over the bike. If it snaps there, your stem needs tightening.

Easy way to rule in/out the wheel skewer - remove the wheel and set the fork on a board on the floor, and apply the same downward pressure on the handlebar, and listen for the noise.

Does your bike have an adjustable rise stem? I believe some Fuji Absolutes did. Grab the bar like you are riding and push up and down on the grips to try to replicate the noise. If you hear the noise its the stem.

Tighten the 6mm bolt under the stem and check the torque of the two side bolts at the pivot. Some grease on the lower bolt wouldn't hurt either.

Yes, it does have the adjustable stem. I tried tightening the 6mm bolt last night to the point I pretty much bent my mini multi tool, with no rotation. I understand I need a longer, more torquy tool . In light of the " two side bolts at the pivot" I'm not sure what those are and will check it out once I get home.. To check torque I'd need more tools anyway.. Starting to look like I need a quick stop at thew LBS. Thank you!!!


Check to see that your front skewers are tight enough. That usually explains a snapping or cracking sound coming from the front end of the bike.\

If it's the headset or handlebars, you generally should be able to make the cracking sound when you're not riding. Twist on the handlebars while standing over the bike. If it snaps there, your stem needs tightening.




Easy way to rule in/out the wheel skewer - remove the wheel and set the fork on a board on the floor, and apply the same downward pressure on the handlebar, and listen for the noise.

Thank you everyone!! I have a good feeling; that I'll solve it now thanks to your experient recommendations!!

FasterNearGirls, I have the exact scenario, but on a different bike. Don't want to take it in unless I absolutely have to. Did you figure out the problem? If so, could you share the solution? It drove me crazy yesterday trying to pinpoint the sound.