tkn0spdr

Okay, I have a 2008 Felt S32 TT bike that I bought brand new about 10 weeks ago. Overall I really like the bike and have put a little over 1400 miles on it so far.

When I first got it it was extremely quiet while pedaling. After about 3 weeks it started making a creaking noise. When I took it in to the LBS for it's 30 day check/tune-up I mentioned it but it got overlooked. Still made the noise when I picked it up. After about 1 week I took it back and asked about the noise again. The BB was loose and so that was taken care of and off I went. All was good for about 140 miles and then the creaking started up again.

The bike went back to the shop and this time the BB was disassembled and redone. That fixed the noise for another 150 or so miles. Then it came back.

Once more into the breach... er, into the shop it went and BB was again tightened along with shifting tuned up because I was complaining about the chain jumping a tooth in a certain gear.

When I got it back this time, I rode it, and rode it, etc. And the creaking hasn't seemed to come back although up-shifting was hit or miss. On some gears it would rattle but not shift until I moved the selector again, then it would jump 2, then I could downshift one gear to get where I wanted to be. A half-turn on the barrel adjustment seems to have fixed that.

Okay, that's the back story. I told you that in case it has any bearing on the other issue that's gotten progressively worse. And you'll have to forgive me, I'm not a wrench by any means. I do computers and helicopters, but not bikes.

My chain noise has gotten progressively louder during all this time. I've checked and it's not rubbing on either the front or rear derailleur (I've done that on purpose so I'd know what that sounds like, this ain't that.)

On today's ride about half-way through a 38 mile circuit, the noise got much worse. I'm in the dark as to where to start looking to try and track down the issue. I can't really describe it, sounds sort of like creaking but definitely with a metallic overtone. It's rhythmic with my pedaling and you don't hear it at all while free-wheeling.

Here's a link to all the parts installed. My bike is stock except that I put T2 aero-bars on it.
https://www.feltracing.com/08/product...,1509&pid=8714

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
David

terrymorse 

I can't diagnose your specific noise problem, obviously. But rest assured that you're not alone, FSA cranks are notoriously noisy. If they're not meticulously cleaned, lubed, and torqued, they make funny noises.

anticlimbactic

I've got about the same miles on my FSA cranks and they're creaking like mad. I even had the shop retorque everything. I think I'm looking at upgrading the crankset anyway. To what, tho...

Homebrew01

Probably just slightly out of adjustment. New cables stretch. You might be able to unscrew the adjuster at the rear derailleur 1/2 a turn counter-clockwise to take up a little slack. It's good to keep track of how much you turn it so you can put it back if you're making it worse.

Park tools had a good website that explains a lot of this stuff.

tkn0spdr

Well it's good to know that FSA's are known noisy cranks, the shop said that if the creaking noise comes back again they'll try to just replace the BB under warranty.

If you're referring to the chain not shifting smoothly... yes, I fixed that (or so it seemed on the 17 mile ride I did this evening) by turning it 1/2 turn clockwise, not counter-clockwise. The LBS said the cable was probably a little tight under load.

tkn0spdr

Alright, I feel a little stupid now. I lubed the chain really well this morning before my ride and it was much quieter. I guess I'm not doing this enough.

How often would you recommend that I lube my chain if I ride 7 days a week?

Also, since my chain was quiet I noticed that the creaking is back. Time to get the LBS to do a warranty swap on my BB I guess.

cwathne

A dirty chain will definitely make noise; glad you figured out little problem; should be done every 100 miles or so, only takes a couple minutes

Georgebowen

Is it a continuous creaking while pedaling? Or specific to left or right down stroke? Can you replicate the noise while on a stand pedaling by hand or is only under power?

tkn0spdr

Okay, so every 3 to 4 days for me, check.

It's continuous enough, I think I pretty much hear it on both down strokes. I can't replicate it in a stand, only under load.

Georgebowen

Did you re-torque all your chainring and crank arm bolts? Or at least go around and make sure they are all tight? Ive had that problem before and it creaks only under load, thought it was the BB going bad.

jcpups608

You want to lube your chain the night(or a couple of hours) before a ride so it has a chance to dry, thus picking up less road grime. Also wipe off any excess lube for the same reason. This is more important for a wax based or "dry" lube but I've found it's a good practice either way.

I do it about 2 times a week or every 75-150 miles.

tkn0spdr

This is what the LBS has done each time I've brought it in. Along with taking the BB to pieces and reassembling it.