Ok, so I'm resurrecting this old thread because it still isn't gone. I've tried a couple different stems but it's still there.

What I'm sure of now is that it's at the steerer stem. I've had 3 different stems on and they all do it so I'm not sure what's up.

It's especially (and sometimes ONLY) noticeable when I get up out of the saddle. As I rock back & forth, it starts creaking. ("ticking" really) I have everything set about as perfectly as anyone could do. Nothing too tight, nothing too loose. Preload is perfect (enough for no play, enough to allow free swinging of front wheel left & right).

Again, it's carbon steerer, carbon spacers, aluminum stem. I don't want to put any grease in there & I made sure everything's clean. Maybe carbon paste?? (Though I think the general agreement was keep the whole stack clean & dry??)

Any other thoughts/ideas???