Sorry for the cross-threading. I tried this on the road sub-forum and got zero replies, so I'm going straight to the guru. Disclaimer: it's in regards to a geared bike.

I've got a creaking in my bike somewhere. I noticed the creaking right after I removed some spacers from the steering tube. It's not there constantly, and it pretty much goes away when I hold the bars very loosely.

Soo...I'm guessing it's coming from the steering tube/head set area. I'm a pretty good mechanic, but I wouldn't know where to start as far as trying to eliminate the creaking. Should I lube something? Tighten something? What or where?

FWIW, I ended up flipping the stem and all the spacers are back on the bike where they originally were. I may end up dropping the bars a little more, so I'd like to figure this out at some point.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks...