Creaking Sound
 

So I ride a Trek Apex H2 and recently I've heard a creaking sound while seated when out of the saddle I do not hear it. I've taken to the LBS and they could not replicate the sound so they performed a tune up. They checked the bottom bracket and said that that was fine, they tightened the seat post clamp and seat bolt, lubed the wheel skewer. I went for a short ride of 10 miles today and the creaking noise is still there and it drives me crazy. Any suggestions on what it would be?

Appreciate any assistance I can get.

Mike

If it was my bike, I'd try a different saddle just to see what happens.

Did they grease the seat post? If that is not it, the saddle rails/saddle could be the culprit.

So we start with the easy stuff first. Items that only need simple tools and time. Cleaning and lubing the seat and post interfacing surfaces and hardware. next might be the bars and stem (mainly because it's a good idea and easily done, not that I think this is the source of noise). The next place is typically the pedals then crank/BB. It's very common for AL framed bikes to have the BB settle in the BB shell and need some service after initial use (as most factories don't apply much or any lube between the BB unit and the shell and the BB shell being AL will slightly be molded by the usually steel BB unit and need at least retightening). Andy.

Going to swap the saddle today, hope this will fix the problem.

Yes, the seat post was greased, going to swap the saddle.

Andrew, Thanks for the detailed response. I asked the LBS to check the BB and they said it was fine but I still wonder. I'm going to swap the saddle as you may have noted from the previous responses.

How are things in my old hometown? Moved from Rochester back in 84 when I joined the Navy. My family still lives there, so I get home every now and again.

Mike

If you have a seat bag, take it off and see what happens.

Also try putting less pressure on the handlebars while seated - maybe even go no-hands for a while - and see if that makes a change.

Jerry,

Great suggestion on the no hands. I'll give it a go. Do you think placing it on a trainer would cause and difference?

Putting it on a trainer would allow you to have an assistant listen closely for the source of the noise; holding a cardboard tube or a foot or two of hose to their ear would act like a stethoscope and possibly localize the noise.

You mighty also consider putting a dab of grease where your seat rails meet the clamp,, and/or a drop of oil where the rails insert into the seat frame.

You probably looked the whole frame over carefully already I presume.

Bicycle acoustics are a hard thing to pinpoint. You may think you know the area a sound is coming from and you can also easily be wrong. I think bicycles of today are probably better in most respects than ones of 25 years ago, but my eight speed steel bike of that era was silent when riding and my current 10 speed CF bike frequently creaks and pops under normal usage. I think increased noise is somehow inherent to having more gears and complexity of today's bikes. I do agree that keeping the seat post lubed can be helpful.

A standing pedal stroke is a pretty uneven application of power. That makes me inclined to think that the part that is noisy is more free to move about when you pedal more evenly. Chainrings are a often overlooked maintenance item. (For good reason, they rarely need anything done to them.) But a loose chainring bolt could cause some noise.

I'm also inclined to believe that the LBS did a good job checking your bottom bracket but that is pretty easy to do yourself. Speaking of easy to do, have you checked the hubs for play? Grasp at the top of the wheel and tug back and forth (gently, but firmly), feeling for any side to side play.

Also consider that when you're standing, you've moved up and away from the drivetrain. It's possible that it still makes the noise but you just aren't hearing it.

My most recent creaking noise turned out to be the seat rails. Took the saddle off, cleaned things up, put back together with dab of synthetic grease. Sweet silence again.

What does that have to do with a creak that occurs out of the saddle?

From the OP:

Don't over look your shoes and cleats too, might sound counter intuitive but worth a look anyway

I want to thank everyone for their generous input on how to stop the creaking. I believe I ave it solved. I cleaned and greased the saddle rails and tightened appropriately and also tightened the cleats on the shoes. Test rode this morning once the rain stopped and the noise was gone. Great to know that there is a community willing to lend their knowledge.

Mike