Chasing a creak
 

Ok, I've got a steel framed lemond poprad that I've converted into a flat bar commuter. I've got this creak that is driving me nuts. It is very hard to isolate but it happens when I am pedaling hard up a hill. I can sometimes recreate it out of the saddle, but not consistently. It seems like it is coming from the drive side, but I'm not positive.


Things I've done;

1. cleaned and re-lubed drive train
2. re-greased and re-tightened seat post
3. re-tightened rails on the saddle
4. tightened chain ring bolts
5. re-tightened cassette
6. re-greased and re-tightened pedals
7. checked for any obvious cracks in the frame
8. checked spokes and added a bit more tension

The only thing I haven't done is re-grease the BB. It is a newer Deore groupset with the Hollowtech cups. The BB is pretty much brand new, really not a lot of miles on it. This is my foul weather commuter, but I also had a bad accident this winter and didn't get much riding in. I'm probably going to take the BB out, clean and re-grease the threads and re-install tonight. However, I'm not sure that is it and I'd like a second opinion. Is there something else I should be thinking about that I'm missing? Area I should re-focus on?

Wheel skewers!

I was so sure that my bike's creaking was in the bottom bracket. It only happened when pushing fairly hard on the pedals. I finally found that the rear quick release was making the noise.

I could make it creak somewhat by standing next to the bike and using my foot to push down and inward on the pedal, flexing the bike frame. It seemed that the noise was toward the back of the bike, but it's really hard to localize creaking noises!

I disassembled the skewer, wiped it down, put a light film of bike grease on the cam, and used a little more force when tightening it. No more noise.

Another rider mentioned the same problem on a recent ride.

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How much more tension on the spokes? That doesn't sound like a good idea. I think too much tension can lead to cracks around the spoke holes.

9 times out of 10 when I get a creak when I'm pedaling in and out of the saddle, I pull over, tighten the rear wheel skewer and it goes away. The other one time out of 10 it's the bottom bracket. If it only happens when sitting it's the seatpost. if it's more of a tick than a creak it's usually a loose spoke.

Thanks for the tip. I hadn't thought of the skewer. I did just recently change the rear skewer and the problem persisted pre and post. That does make me think though that I should check the drop outs and clean them out. Maybe there is some grime in there that is causing things to complain under load. I do crank the QR down pretty tight. I feel also like sometimes the creak comes not just from hard pedaling but when the wheel is put to some lateral side to side stresses.


Anyways, here's hoping it is the BB! I'm going to go insane if that's not it. (or the new drop out idea) I've even got a brand new spare BB. They mistakenly included two in the groupset I ordered.

Do you have a closed- or open-cam skewer? The open-cam types will not achieve the same clamping force as the closed ones with the same lever effort. The mechanism should be well-lubed.
What is "pretty tight"? The lever should leave a mark on your hand. I make mine tight enough that I have to really pull hard to open it.

FYI, I'm sure everyone was waiting with bated breath. It was just the BB. The drive side one had a pretty good layer of crud. Cleaned the threads wiped it down applied a nice dob of grease, screwed them back in and voila. No creak. The BB itself seems fine.


Just wanted to say thanks for the responses though. I really like this board as a resource. Now to spend more time riding then tinkering!