My LBS and I have been trying for months to figure out the source of the creaking noise from my bike. The mechanic is known as the best around and is well experienced with my particual brand of bike so I trust his word. He's tried a lot of different things (tightening, oiling, cleaning, spraying, adjusting this and that) but cannot make it go away. It seems to be getting worse. It comes when mashing hard on an uphill and when pulling the rear (disc) brake. He figures its not serious and says that aluminum frames tend to amplify really small noises.

The frame is a 2005 Rocky Mountain Vertex Tsc frame with XT disc brakes, XTR crank and Crossmax SL wheels. I ride it quite a lot on offroad, techincal trails as well as in XC races. Could anybody offer any suggestions as to what might be the cause. I've been worried about frame failure. Thanks so much for any help.

Cheers