Here's my set up:

Giant ATX 880 frame
FSA Carbon Pro Crank
Shimano Octalink BB
Egg Beaters Chrome 2002

For the first 30 minutes of each ride there is a creaking/cracking sound when I up the power on both sides of my crank. Previously, this was fixed by changing the bottom bracket, which had rusted due to German road salt. When I pedal normally on a flat run, the sound disappears, take an incline and it sounds awful. Could it be that the pedals need a rebuild? I don't have the tools to pull the BB, so it will cost a fair whack to have it replaced.

TIA

Martin

buy the tool to inspect and/or replace your BB. they're not expensive

Bearings in the BB sound more likely than BOTH pedal bearings to me. Spin the pedals to see if they feel gritty at all. Then try the cranks. My money's on the BB.

Try tightening the crankarms. Mine got loose the other day and made weird noises until I tightened it.

1. bottom bracket-pull it, clean it, reinstall with proper grease and torque.

2. pedals-same as above

3. crank/bb interface.-since you'll have the cranks off to do the bb, may as well do this anyhow, right?

4. seatpost. yes, seatpost. many times a seatpost with no/not enough grease will sound like noise coming from the crank/bottom bracket area.

Yup, and make sure everything is greased and tightened down upon reassembly.

Thanks fellas, I will try out the seat post tomorrow, then the more expensive items this week. I haven't ridden for a while due to a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Thanks to a good physio, I am now fit to ride. Just wish the wheels were too. I would like some suggestions for tools to pull the Shimano Octalink BB. Don't forget I am a Euro, so exotica is out (mostly not available here), although I wouldn't mind some Park and Chris King tools.

MfG

Martin

Gave the BB a once over and discovered that the right crank arm bolt needed a about a full turn. This magically made the creak stop. I lubed the seatpost just for good measure too. Anyway I'm off for an evening ride, so will let you know if it is a noise free ride.

Martin

try tightening the chain whell bolts. supprising how much noise they make!

Ive even had grit where my seat connects to the seatpost that got noisy when mashing. it was weird, when I sat it creaked, when I stood, it stopped. it sounded just like the left crankarm too