Bicycle Mechanics - Aaugh! The noise it makes me crazy!

Okay, so I originally posted the following description of some intermittant pedaling noise ...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/761978-Cranking-intermittant-noise-mystery?highlight=

... and the consensus was bottom bracket needs replacement. I take it to the LBS, we wiggle the crank, yes BB has too much play, replace with new. No more play. Completely silent in LBS.

Take it out on a ride, and sure enough, when I'm pedaling slowly uphill under some load, there is a squeaky, chattering, fingernails on chalkboard sound that stops when I stop pedaling. For each complete rotation of the pedals, there are about 3 or 4 indistinct squeaks. Other people can hear it if they are riding next to me.

There is no noise when at higher speeds and same cadence -- only when the speed is under 10 mph.

Here's what has been ruled out:
- Chain is new and lubed
- Pedals have been replaced -- now SpeedPlay from DuraAce
- Cleats have been replaced
- BB replaced
- Chain not rubbing front derrailer

LBS thinks I'm psychotic, which I will be if I don't get this figured out. Any ideas?

Is it possible the BB housing is loose in the CF frame?

Loose spoke maybe? Check the tension on your rear wheel spokes.

Top

Maybe your cranks went from way too much play to way too tight after the BB change?

Long continuous squeak under load kind of says an interface that is supposed to move freely is getting binded somewhere. My guess anyway.

Saddle rails?

See also threads on this topic here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=240003) and here ("http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/453596-Chain-noise-mystery-can-you-solve-it).

Spokes - good call - a possibility
Seat Rails - have has this issue before
Stem - also had this one before.

Noises on bikes can travel and confuse you so everything should be checked. I really like the loose spokes idea though. be sure to report back what you find. Everyone learns from these issues

http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html

Will try all these.

Reading bionnaki's link, I'll bet I probably have the root cause -- squeaking derauiller pulleys. I've degreased them before, but have not explicitly lubed them since I've had the bike, and I've been through some rain.

I'll start there and move onto to the rest of the ideas and report back. Thanks !

One squeak that drove me nuts for quite a while until I finally tracked it down: I ride with a heels in angle on my cleats. It turns out that the inside of my heel was grazing the crankarm, not with every revolution but most. Since my shoes are made with artificial leather they made a chirp/squeak sound. Real leather wouldn't do that. I put a tiny bit of chapstick on the inside of my heels where they were contacting and the problem was solved. The noise of course only happen once for each heel, each revolution. If, as you say your noise is happening 3-4 per rev then this is probably not the problem but it is another one to put on your list of infuriating intermittent noises.

Another possibility is try putting some ChapStick (or petroleum jelly, lithium grease, bear fat, etc.) on the platform of your pedals. It may be the cleat/platform interface squeaking from two hard materials moving without lubrication.

Speedplay from DURA-ACE? You are mixing Shimano brands and the Speedplay brand, but that's inconsequential. Speedplays have a little wire spring inside the shoe cleat that can use some (VERY little or it will collect dirt, or worse yet, sand and clog the interface) lubrication also - a possiblilty for noise. This is not applicable for SP Frogs.

That's all I got. Hope you find the problem!

200k


Okay, so I originally posted the following description of some intermittant pedaling noise ...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/761978-Cranking-intermittant-noise-mystery?highlight=

... and the consensus was bottom bracket needs replacement. I take it to the LBS, we wiggle the crank, yes BB has too much play, replace with new. No more play. Completely silent in LBS.

Take it out on a ride, and sure enough, when I'm pedaling slowly uphill under some load, there is a squeaky, chattering, fingernails on chalkboard sound that stops when I stop pedaling. For each complete rotation of the pedals, there are about 3 or 4 indistinct squeaks. Other people can hear it if they are riding next to me.

There is no noise when at higher speeds and same cadence -- only when the speed is under 10 mph.

Here's what has been ruled out:
- Chain is new and lubed
- Pedals have been replaced -- now SpeedPlay from DuraAce
- Cleats have been replaced
- BB replaced
- Chain not rubbing front derrailer

LBS thinks I'm psychotic, which I will be if I don't get this figured out. Any ideas?

Is it possible the BB housing is loose in the CF frame?

Eureka!!

It was the derailler pulleys, per bionnaki's keep it quiet link. Didn't have to dissassemble, just sprayed in dry lube.

Thanks guys!!

Loose spoke maybe? Check the tension on your rear wheel spokes.

Top

While I have little knowledge of high end road bikes sqeuks as you describe usualy come from thre front break pads rubbing against the wheel under load.

OP- You didn't mention the typr of bike nor it's age. If it's CF, I've seen more than a few that have come unbonded at the dropout (hard to see-easy to hear), or come unbonded at the seatstay-seat cluster junction. Makes a creak exactly as you describe.

I hate noises. I once had a new noise that I soon discovered was a shoelace hitting the crank on every revolution.

While I have little knowledge of high end road bikes sqeuks as you describe usualy come from thre front break pads rubbing against the wheel under load.



OP- You didn't mention the typr of bike nor it's age. If it's CF, I've seen more than a few that have come unbonded at the dropout (hard to see- easy to hear), or come unbonded at the seatstay-seat cluster junction. Makes a creak exactly as you describe.

I hate noises. I once had a new noise that I soon discovered was a shoelace hitting the crank on every revolution.

Did you guys read that he found the issue?