Stem/Handlebar Rattling
05-28-06, 01:59 AM
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Stem/Handlebar Rattling
Can't get rid of this rattling issue.
I have an Easton EC90 Equipe carbon handlebar combo'd with an Easton EA70 2-bolt stem. Everything seems to be cinched down pretty good, but when I'm on less than smooth roads, a rattling sound emerges.
I can simulate the rattling sound in standstill mode as well by applying downward pressure on the bars.
It seems to come be coming from the bolting area where the handlebar mates to the stem. I've tried different torque levels, but no luck getting rid of the annoying sound.
What else can I do?
I have an Easton EC90 Equipe carbon handlebar combo'd with an Easton EA70 2-bolt stem. Everything seems to be cinched down pretty good, but when I'm on less than smooth roads, a rattling sound emerges.
I can simulate the rattling sound in standstill mode as well by applying downward pressure on the bars.
It seems to come be coming from the bolting area where the handlebar mates to the stem. I've tried different torque levels, but no luck getting rid of the annoying sound.
What else can I do?
05-28-06, 07:03 AM
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Is it a "rattle" or a "creak"? A rattle implies something is bouncing around inside while a creak means a joint is moving slightly. Are you sure it's not the cables hitting something?
05-28-06, 09:57 AM
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If your steerer is steel or Al, try lightly greasing the stem/steerer interface. Don't do it if the steerer is carbon.
05-28-06, 11:49 AM
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I had a K2 mtb with a very noisy bar to stem interface. The guys at my LBS were a bit surprised by how easily I could make the thing creak by standing next to the bike and alternately pushing down on either side of the bars.
My problem was a stem that had a very poorly finished clamping surface. My solution was to replace the stem with a Ritchey four-bolt stem. I replaced the bar also, because the constant movement had made quite a noticeable groove around the middle of the bar. Even though my bar was aluminum, not carbon, I didn't want to find out the hard way that the bar had been compromised.
My problem was a stem that had a very poorly finished clamping surface. My solution was to replace the stem with a Ritchey four-bolt stem. I replaced the bar also, because the constant movement had made quite a noticeable groove around the middle of the bar. Even though my bar was aluminum, not carbon, I didn't want to find out the hard way that the bar had been compromised.
05-28-06, 05:24 PM
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One other possible source of the noise. Are the brifters tightened adequately? If they are not, they could be the problem.
05-28-06, 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by HillRider
If your steerer is steel or Al, try lightly greasing the stem/steerer interface. Don't do it if the steerer is carbon.
Last edited by jedi_rider; 05-29-06 at 02:34 AM.
05-28-06, 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by HillRider
One other possible source of the noise. Are the brifters tightened adequately? If they are not, they could be the problem.
05-28-06, 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by HillRider
Is it a "rattle" or a "creak"? A rattle implies something is bouncing around inside while a creak means a joint is moving slightly. Are you sure it's not the cables hitting something?
05-29-06, 01:50 PM
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Cables can creak as well. Easy way to find out is to take a pipe clamp and run it over the end of your bar tape, thus clamping the cables down.
If it stops, then next time you wrap your bars, you should use more electrical tape to secure your cables. I generally put a wrap right after the brifter, and then before, middle, and after the bend, then between the bend and the end of the grip, and then at the end of the grip.
It's pretty overkill, but noise annoys me to no end, so I will go overboard to assure I have none.
If it stops, then next time you wrap your bars, you should use more electrical tape to secure your cables. I generally put a wrap right after the brifter, and then before, middle, and after the bend, then between the bend and the end of the grip, and then at the end of the grip.
It's pretty overkill, but noise annoys me to no end, so I will go overboard to assure I have none.
05-30-06, 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by catatonic
Cables can creak as well. Easy way to find out is to take a pipe clamp and run it over the end of your bar tape, thus clamping the cables down.
If it stops, then next time you wrap your bars, you should use more electrical tape to secure your cables. I generally put a wrap right after the brifter, and then before, middle, and after the bend, then between the bend and the end of the grip, and then at the end of the grip.
It's pretty overkill, but noise annoys me to no end, so I will go overboard to assure I have none.
If it stops, then next time you wrap your bars, you should use more electrical tape to secure your cables. I generally put a wrap right after the brifter, and then before, middle, and after the bend, then between the bend and the end of the grip, and then at the end of the grip.
It's pretty overkill, but noise annoys me to no end, so I will go overboard to assure I have none.
05-30-06, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by oilman_15106
A pipe clamp? You mean a cable tie don't you.
These don't require cuting to remove, plus the wider contact will help keep the cables under the tape more secure while testing out the cable shake theory.
Oh, and note that you can buy these in FAR smaller sizes than the one pictured above. Home depot has tons of them for dirt cheap.
