Bicycle Mechanics - Haunted Tricross

Took my Specialized Tricross comp for a ride for the 1st time in 2 years. Bike is in like-new condition. Brakes are screaming and there is a creaking noise from the crank or rear wheel when pedaling. Any suggestions?

Blind guesses from here.. make a shop call where, they can see it..

If you're patient this almost always goes away as shoes break in or any film on the rims wears off. My brakes squeal occasionally depending on the weather. (they don't like cool humid days in Spring and Fall.

If you're not so patient, remove the wheels, and use a file to deglaze or refresh the braking surfaces on all 4 shoes. Also use alcohol on a rag to remove any film on the rims. You might also check the amount of toe-in, but I'd save that for last since they didn't squeal before and the toe-in wouldn't have changed over the last 2 years.

If all else fails call Ghostbusters.

As for the creaking, I could probably give you a list of at least two dozen possibilities, but guessing give a man a fish vs. teach a man to fish category. Better you go to sheldonbrown.com/creaks. That may help you find the creak. If not then approach the problem methodically, eliminating possibilities one by one - by lubrication, tightening, and substitution. You are there and can not only hear, but often feel what is going on, and we don't know what you have that you can switch out.

If you still need help then we need more information. As you can see from Sheldon's page it's necessary to know under what conditions the creak occurs - in rhythm with wheel, crank, or chain rotation - or random, with leaning on the bars, pedal pressure or going over bumps, etc. High or low pitch also can help, and any other variable of which you are aware. Time frame in relation to other events is not relevent here but if it were any equipment changes, accidents, etc. would also be important.