markdavid570

In a previous post I had spoken about my crankarm coming off. I tried to fix it, but I did not have the crank bolt to keep it all in place and so I took my bike in for its first tune-up and they took care of all of that. On Monday I went out for my first real ride in over a week. Instead of ripping away at the pedals to just go fast, I focused on spinning at a more consistent cadence and felt like I got a better workout and ended up beating my best time by almost two minutes. One other thing I noticed though, is that I sometimes felt like I was "bouncing" on my saddle as I maintained that cadence. I tried to deal with it as best as I could by changing gears, but it was still definitely happening.

Yesterday I started my ride and I started noticing what sounded like a creaking noise coming from my crank. At least that's where it sounds like it's coming from. It only happens when I pedal. It doesn't sound terrible, but it's not a sound I'm used to, and if it's not supposed to happen, then obviously I want for it to not happen! Anyway, does anyone else ever run into this kind of thing? And if so, what have been the issues that have been the cause?

HuffyMan

Could be in the pedals themselves, do they spin freely? I had a noise like this and it was a bottom bracket issue. I had to pull it out and put teflon tape on the threads to tighten up the whole works which took care of the problem.

IAmCosmo

Could be a few things...

Your bottom bracket
Your seat
Your seatpost
Your pedal
Your handlebars (yes, sounds strange, but I've had it happen to me)

All are easy fixes, though, and your shop should be able to take care of it for you.

Carolinaboy

I had similar problem and it was the pedals.

markdavid570

Hmm...I'll check that all out tonight. Thanks for the help!

Herbie53

this might help.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html

txvintage

^^^^^^^^Your likely suspects right here.

sstorkel

If you're using clipless pedals, you should also add 'Your cleats' to the list of possible problems...

IAmCosmo

Very true.

EGUNWT

Creaks once per pedal revolution could be, basically, anything. I had a creak that was caused by a loose chain ring bolt. I had a creak that was a loose bolt holding my rear rack to my seat stay (the seat stays flex a tiny tiny amount, and that was causing the bolt to rub and creak). Pedals, cleats, bottom bracket problem...the list is endless. Either take your bike in or just *carefully* make sure everything's tight. Twist the seat back and forth firmly to see if it's a seat problem or a bottom bracket problem, you put a fairly good amount of torque on the seat as you pedal.

breadbin

good luck finding it, i had creaking handlebars recently when i built my new bike so checked and the bolts werent tight. easy to recognise the handlebars though,

what you could do is if you know anyone with a trainer put the bike up on it and get someone to pedal away and you can get in close to listen to where the creak is

Greg_R

Your foot position on the pedal can also result in noise. For example, if your foot is slightly twisted and you are pushing at an angle then it can cause some clicking in the bearings or the cleats / pedal springs.

ibebikin

man, you better know that person well. i wouldnt want a guy sniffin around down there haha

surfjimc

Two things that always led to creaking on older cranks was a slightly loose bb cup and loose crank bolts. If the spindle is worn you can put a very thin layer of grease on it before you slip the crank back on and tighten it. However, there are some who approve of that, and others who say you should never, ever grease a crank because over time it will cause a bad fit. Look at all the other things listed too, but check that inner cup (drive side).

El Gigante

Had the same issue with my bike and found that the issue was a worn crank arm. First suggestion to check the crank bolts was a good one as they can loosen over time. When I took the drive train apart, it turned out that the edges of the square hole of the left side crank arm that fits over the spindle on the bottom bracket were worn, which led to the creaking sound. Also had to replace the bottom bracket and cup. I was told that you should grease the bb cup and crank arms and that will get rid of a lot of squeaking.

I also have to give props to the Bicycle Kitchen here in Los Angeles. Its staffed by volunteers who will look at your bike, help troubleeshoot problems and then teach you to fix it. Great bike advocacy group, friendly folks, and will help the truly clueless, (like yours truly), learn how to maintain and repair your ride. Thanks again Bike Kitchen!!

markdavid570

Well...I went out for my normal 18 mile ride today and the creaking sound was worse. Before I went out, I checked to make sure everything was in order. It seems like the creaking sound is coming from either the fork or the front part of the frame, but I can't tell for sure. It didn't start until after the bike was at the LBS for it's first tune up, so I wonder if anything from that could be causing this sound? Either way, I think it's time to take it back to the shop to have them check it out.

txvintage

Stand beside your bike and squeeze you front brake lever. try and rock your bike back and forth and keep your eye on the head tube. You are looking for play in the headset and fork steering tube, but also try a "feel" any movement.

ANother check is to stand in front of your bike with the wheel between your knees. Grab your bars and try and twist side to side while looking, listening, and feeling for any movement or noise. The next thihng to do is grab yout hoods and see if you can rotate your bars up or down. This second check can also reveal headset/fork problems.

If you suspect the creaking may be coming from the front of your bike I recommend not riding it until it is either confirmed and repaired, or the possibility is elimnated.

billyymc

I have had a similar noise these past few months whenever the spokes in my rear wheel are loose (have had issues with the wheel). At first I thought it was the BB/crank. But whenever the spokes are tightened / wheel trued, the noise goes away. Sounds crazy, but it's true.

perryw

I'm having a similar sounding issue on my Trek 7.3 right now. I almost think that I'm feeling the creaking through the left pedal but who knows. I've swapped back to the original platform worn regular shoes and can still hear it, so I don't think it is the pedal itself. I can stand and pedal and still hear the creaking, don't think it is the seat/post. I can pedal w/ just a finger on the handlebar, so probably not there, right?

The bike is a couple days over 2 months old now, so I think it'll go back to the shop for help. I wouldn't begin to know how to get the bottom bracket off, so I think that's the best course of action for me. Annoying, but best.

edit: Took it in and they tracked it to the rear drop out, after they loosened and retightened the cranks. They greased it up and I didn't hear the clicking on the 100yd test ride.

markdavid570

Well...I just got my bike back from the shop. It wasn't the crank...they took it apart, checked it out, and nothing. The owner said it definitely sounded like the noise was coming from the front of the bike. He said the front quick release was a bit loose, so he took care of that and didn't notice the sound anymore. I didn't take the wheel off at all from bringing my bike back from its tune-up last week, so I wonder if one of the mechanics didn't put it back on right? Anyway, I'm sure I could have figured this out, but I feel better knowing they checked it out.

Now...we talked about a trade-in for a road bike. I was thinking a Trek 2.3. He said they're nice but he also recommended a Giant TCR Alliance (2010). That's a whole new thread though...

davidindec

I am also hearing a noise that I think is coming from the crank/bottom bracket area when I "crank" down on the left side when out of the saddle. I heard it for the first time over the weekend and pretty much hear it consistently now.

The weather changed recently and I wonder if that has something to do with it.

I have only heard it on the left side when standing and applying more power than normal as when going up hills. I am quite sure its not the pedal and the noise sounds like metal on metal that is under pressure (not an expert though).

I am taking it into the shop this coming Monday with the hopes that they can fix it.

subligar

My crank/pedal creaking noise turned out to be a dry seatpost. As soon as I took it out I knew it was the problem because there was no grease at all on it.

CliftonGK1

You say "first tune up" so I'm assuming this is a relatively new bike, which makes your creaking issue less likely to be the same as mine:

On a square taper crank, the aluminium to steel interface of crank on bb spindle can get worn over time so that the hole in the crankarm is no longer properly seating on the spindle, no matter how tight you crank down that bolt. That's my issue - 9000 hard riding miles on a cheap set of cranks has just beat the snot out of them.
I have a replacement arriving on Saturday.

MGtrack

Tighten the crank arms.

markdavid570

Turns out the issue was just that the front quick release wasn't tightened properly after getting it back from the tune up. I had thought of that briefly, but decided to take it back to the shop anyway. I may have looked kind of lame for bringing it in for that, but I feel better knowing that that's all it was.

Funny thing...now my computer is not registering anything. The screen is working and keeping the time, but it just reads "0" for the speed, trip, etc. I tried changing the battery in the speed sensor as it is wireless, but still nothing. I've made sure the magnet lines up also, so I'm kind of at a loss here...