Localizing and Eliminating Stem Creak
 

I just installed this new stem (threaded to threadless conversion), and, as I suspected might happen, there's creaking when I mash up a hill.

When installing, I greased the quill converter generously, left the handlebar and stem connections dry, and torqued to the recommended levels (40 in-lb for the stem stuff, 120 in-lb for the quill binder bolt).

Can I localize the creaking (actually more like a knock sound) with a stethoscope?

I guess the standard procedure would be to lightly grease the stem and handlebar interfaces, yes?

Thanks,

Al

Do the stem/adapter interface first, best to avoid greasing the bar clamp if possible IMO.

But if you went to 31.8mm bars with the conversion (a good reason in itself for the threadless conversion), that'd be much less of an issue. A ~26mm interface can be a bit touch-and-go sometimes when you land from a jump with your hands on the hoods, and grease isn't likely to help with that.

It was the cleats! Fooled again.