Stem/Handlebar Rattling
 

Can't get rid of this rattling issue.

I have an Easton EC90 Equipe carbon handlebar combo'd with an Easton EA70 2-bolt stem. Everything seems to be cinched down pretty good, but when I'm on less than smooth roads, a rattling sound emerges.

I can simulate the rattling sound in standstill mode as well by applying downward pressure on the bars.

It seems to come be coming from the bolting area where the handlebar mates to the stem. I've tried different torque levels, but no luck getting rid of the annoying sound.

What else can I do?

Is it a "rattle" or a "creak"? A rattle implies something is bouncing around inside while a creak means a joint is moving slightly. Are you sure it's not the cables hitting something?

Creaking Sounds
 

Yes, creaking is a better description, but it happens so frequently it sounds like rattling...

If your steerer is steel or Al, try lightly greasing the stem/steerer interface. Don't do it if the steerer is carbon.

I had a K2 mtb with a very noisy bar to stem interface. The guys at my LBS were a bit surprised by how easily I could make the thing creak by standing next to the bike and alternately pushing down on either side of the bars.

My problem was a stem that had a very poorly finished clamping surface. My solution was to replace the stem with a Ritchey four-bolt stem. I replaced the bar also, because the constant movement had made quite a noticeable groove around the middle of the bar. Even though my bar was aluminum, not carbon, I didn't want to find out the hard way that the bar had been compromised.

One other possible source of the noise. Are the brifters tightened adequately? If they are not, they could be the problem.

[edit] I'm pretty sure it's not coming from the stem/steerer interface as I've tried to jostle it around without the handlebars and there is no creaking.

I checked the shifters. They are pretty secure. But thanks for the sanity check.

Small cheap trick. This won't void any warranty as far as I have done it. Put some lube around the the handlebar itself and reinstall it. Be sure to also apply a small amount on the binder bolts.

Cables can creak as well. Easy way to find out is to take a pipe clamp and run it over the end of your bar tape, thus clamping the cables down.

If it stops, then next time you wrap your bars, you should use more electrical tape to secure your cables. I generally put a wrap right after the brifter, and then before, middle, and after the bend, then between the bend and the end of the grip, and then at the end of the grip.

It's pretty overkill, but noise annoys me to no end, so I will go overboard to assure I have none.

A pipe clamp? You mean a cable tie don't you.

Tubing/duct/pipe clamp, adjustable screw variety, like this:
http://www.shamanshop.net/store/images/HY_FA157.jpg

These don't require cuting to remove, plus the wider contact will help keep the cables under the tape more secure while testing out the cable shake theory.

Oh, and note that you can buy these in FAR smaller sizes than the one pictured above. Home depot has tons of them for dirt cheap.