Last night I heard some creaking as I rode, and when I went for a ride today it was getting worse. The sound was like a "click" when I would change the direction I was pushing on the left crank. Like, when I tried to trackstand it would click when I rolled forward, then click as I rolled back. I had brought some tools with me on my ride, but somehow forgot the allen tool for the crank. Since I ruined a crank just last week I rode home by only pressing hard on the right pedal, let me tell you 47x18 gearing with rolling hills is a lot tougher when you can only press with one leg.
After getting home I tried tightening that bolt and it was as tight as I could possibly do it for fear of breaking my wrench. So I figured I'd search sheldonbrown.com, and what do you know, but that you are supposed to grease the bolt threads, the square taper, and the surface of the bolt that tightens against the crank. I had only greased the bolt threads. Interestingly the Shimano UG53 BB came with white grease on only the drive side tapper which I thought was odd at the time, and I find even more odd after reading Mr. Brown's comments.
That seemed to make a world of difference as the bolt glid in even when it was quite tight. I took the bike for a short test ride around the block and that seemed to fix the problem. Other than the seat creaking as I ride the bike was totally silent.
References:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/i...ng-cranks.html
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html#bottom
Originally Posted by
bottom-bracket
More pictures!
Here ya go.
Constructive comments are welcomed but keep in mind this pic is mid build. The wheels are not staying on this bike, the pedals suck, the barends are dorky, the brake lever is HORRID, the brake cable routing is scary, the handlebars need tape, and last but not least; the bike is dirty.
Pictures taken in the Allston area of Boston, behind the Super 88.