Creaking from BB or rear on new bike
09-20-08, 06:46 AM
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Creaking from BB or rear on new bike
Sorry I read through the New Posts rules and know that creaking noise posts are not the most appreciated but I really have looked through everything I can find on this forum/elsewhere and can’t figure this out.
Have a new bike (Blue RC6AL, aluminum w/ carbon fork/seat stay and Shimano 105) with less than 500 miles on it and just started creaking. Noise happens with anything more than light pressure on pedals, about 1/3 of the way on the down stroke on both sides. Hear it standing or sitting. Happens with/without my cleats on.
It sounds like it is coming from bottom bracket to me (but I guess that is always the case). So I have checked tightness of pedals, chainring stack bolts, and bottom bracket cups. I’ve pulled apart bottom bracket and put back together as much as possible (it’s I think HollowTech II design) without noticing anything abnormal.
I had someone walk beside me and they thought noise was coming from rear of bike. But I can’t figure out how this frame creaking type of noise that is so closely associated with pedal stroke could originate there. Not sure if there is anything to check there - doesn’t seem to be any play in hub/wheel (American Classic Victory).
Anything else I could check in bottom bracket area or elsewhere given this noise on at same place on every pedal stroke?
I know easiest answer would be take to LBS where bought for checkup but I moved to different country after buying and LBS here is very expensive and takes forever. So would greatly appreciate if anyone has any thoughts. Thank you for your help.
Have a new bike (Blue RC6AL, aluminum w/ carbon fork/seat stay and Shimano 105) with less than 500 miles on it and just started creaking. Noise happens with anything more than light pressure on pedals, about 1/3 of the way on the down stroke on both sides. Hear it standing or sitting. Happens with/without my cleats on.
It sounds like it is coming from bottom bracket to me (but I guess that is always the case). So I have checked tightness of pedals, chainring stack bolts, and bottom bracket cups. I’ve pulled apart bottom bracket and put back together as much as possible (it’s I think HollowTech II design) without noticing anything abnormal.
I had someone walk beside me and they thought noise was coming from rear of bike. But I can’t figure out how this frame creaking type of noise that is so closely associated with pedal stroke could originate there. Not sure if there is anything to check there - doesn’t seem to be any play in hub/wheel (American Classic Victory).
Anything else I could check in bottom bracket area or elsewhere given this noise on at same place on every pedal stroke?
I know easiest answer would be take to LBS where bought for checkup but I moved to different country after buying and LBS here is very expensive and takes forever. So would greatly appreciate if anyone has any thoughts. Thank you for your help.
09-20-08, 08:15 AM
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It could be coming from your seat post. Your bike is new so let a shop take care if it. Ask them to check out the seat post & retighten it, they should be willing to do that while you wait.
On one of my steel bikes, I have had a noise that seemed to come from the bottom bracket but after removing, servicing & reinstallation it was still there. I got rid of it by releasing then retightening the seat tube bolt, but when the noise came back I removed the post, greased it & then reinstalled in the seat tube & had no more noise. You should use a torque wrench to avoid overtightening. Also if the seat tube or seat post is carbon, I think it is not recommended to grease the post. Don
On one of my steel bikes, I have had a noise that seemed to come from the bottom bracket but after removing, servicing & reinstallation it was still there. I got rid of it by releasing then retightening the seat tube bolt, but when the noise came back I removed the post, greased it & then reinstalled in the seat tube & had no more noise. You should use a torque wrench to avoid overtightening. Also if the seat tube or seat post is carbon, I think it is not recommended to grease the post. Don
09-20-08, 09:02 AM
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yes 1 to greasing the seat post and also to the bb or use plumber's tape to the bb.
09-20-08, 09:04 AM
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Could just need to have the BB tightened a bit, most shops would also do this while you wait.
09-20-08, 01:40 PM
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aka Phil Jungels
Have you already eliminated a bad pedal or crankarm?
09-21-08, 03:46 AM
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Thanks so much for all the suggestions - I greatly appreciate the help.
I tried greasing the seat post. Sound still there. Just to confirm not related to seat post, removed it and rode for a few feet without seat/post and creaking noise is still there. Think I can rule out anything related to seat.
On the BB, I think everything is appropriately tightened - though I don't have a torque wrench, so not 100% sure. Part of my struggle is that I'm just not that familiar with newer BB designs (could've probably sold last bike as antique). And with this HollowTech II design (I think that is correct name), there really is not that much to adjust. I've played around with the paired bolts holding the left crank arm, and confirmed that the bearing cartridges on each side are tight. Not sure what else in the region there is to look at besides the bearings themselves (which I hope is not an issue after 500miles) and chainring stack bolts and pedals, all of which are tight.
Maybe I'm wrong but given that noise is heard at same point on both sides of pedal downstroke, I don't think it is a problem with individual pedal or crankarm. But let me know if something specific I could test or look at to eliminate. I get the noise with or without cleats on.
Please let me know if you have any other suggestions, especially if there are any secrets with this style of BB (as I'm still, maybe incorrectly, convinced it is coming from there).
Many thanks.
I tried greasing the seat post. Sound still there. Just to confirm not related to seat post, removed it and rode for a few feet without seat/post and creaking noise is still there. Think I can rule out anything related to seat.
On the BB, I think everything is appropriately tightened - though I don't have a torque wrench, so not 100% sure. Part of my struggle is that I'm just not that familiar with newer BB designs (could've probably sold last bike as antique). And with this HollowTech II design (I think that is correct name), there really is not that much to adjust. I've played around with the paired bolts holding the left crank arm, and confirmed that the bearing cartridges on each side are tight. Not sure what else in the region there is to look at besides the bearings themselves (which I hope is not an issue after 500miles) and chainring stack bolts and pedals, all of which are tight.
Maybe I'm wrong but given that noise is heard at same point on both sides of pedal downstroke, I don't think it is a problem with individual pedal or crankarm. But let me know if something specific I could test or look at to eliminate. I get the noise with or without cleats on.
Please let me know if you have any other suggestions, especially if there are any secrets with this style of BB (as I'm still, maybe incorrectly, convinced it is coming from there).
Many thanks.
09-21-08, 07:41 AM
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https://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html
Just because it sounds like it's coming from the bb doesn't mean it has anything to do with it. Or it may.
Just because it sounds like it's coming from the bb doesn't mean it has anything to do with it. Or it may.
