wiscoerik

My road bike squeaks when I shift to bigger cogs with the rear derailleur. For some weird reason, I don't seem to hear the squeak until the 2-3 mile mark and then it progresses to every downshift eventually. Doesn't seem to matter what ring in front I'm in.

I thought it might be my cleats... I know that doesn't make sense but it sounds just like the squeaking from a Look cleat that needs to be lubed or changed. I made the change and the squeaking hasn't stopped or changed.

The bike is relatively new. Shimano 105 10-speed. About 1200 miles on it. I don't ride this bike in the rain per se, but it's seen a few drizzles and I ride past midnight often when there is lots of fog around here. Is it possible that the squeak is coming from the cables?

Thanks much for any help.

Erik

njkayaker

Do the 105 rear-derailleur pulleys use bushings or bearings?

A little cleaning and greasing of the bushings might kill the squeak.

the sasquach

just oil everything. I believe most 105 derailleurs use a sealed bearing on the lower tension pulley and their ceramic bushing on the G-pulley. Squeak is probably either the deralleur return spring or possibly your chain.

wiscoerik

Thanks very much for the suggestions. I went at it with some oil and will give it the day to seep into any nooks and crannies. Then I'll take her for a spin this evening to see if that works.

FWIW I have always kept my chain well lubed but not much more.

njkayaker

This didn't work for me until I disassembled and cleaned and oiled the bushing.

It appears you only get the noise when shifting. If so, I don't think it's going to be the chain.