Bike creaks = very potential insanity!
08-29-10, 01:02 PM
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Keep searching, the creak is like an itch you can't scratch. Once you get that cast off or find something to reach - bliss.
08-29-10, 02:58 PM
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you aren't supposed to grease the crank arms. the only reason they stay on is because of friction. get the grease off of em.
also, i have issues like this. generally it's a loose crankarm, but once or twice it was my pedal (the cage lost a screw). check them both, and you should really take it to a decent lbs.
also, i have issues like this. generally it's a loose crankarm, but once or twice it was my pedal (the cage lost a screw). check them both, and you should really take it to a decent lbs.
08-29-10, 04:26 PM
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The pedals are new, same noise with the previous ones.
08-29-10, 06:03 PM
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Hi Folks
My Anthem X creaks big time and much more noticeable when climbing. It's especially noticeable while pedaling when my right pedal is in front. I can make it creak on demand, which sounds like a good thing but it's not. Arrrggg!
When I'm coasting, I don't hear a thing.
I have
- greased the crank arm joints and bolts
- greased the pedals and axle joint to the crank arm
- taken all the chainrings apart and greased the bolts (like really really grease)
- greased all of the joints of the K4 suspension, except for the bolts that secure the rear shock (because i don't hear it creak when i jump up and down on it)
- as a precaution, took my seat stem apart and clean it and the seat, regreased it.
Help!!! Anyone have any ideas when this could be coming from?
My Anthem X creaks big time and much more noticeable when climbing. It's especially noticeable while pedaling when my right pedal is in front. I can make it creak on demand, which sounds like a good thing but it's not. Arrrggg!
When I'm coasting, I don't hear a thing.
I have
- greased the crank arm joints and bolts
- greased the pedals and axle joint to the crank arm
- taken all the chainrings apart and greased the bolts (like really really grease)
- greased all of the joints of the K4 suspension, except for the bolts that secure the rear shock (because i don't hear it creak when i jump up and down on it)
- as a precaution, took my seat stem apart and clean it and the seat, regreased it.
Help!!! Anyone have any ideas when this could be coming from?
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"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
08-30-10, 02:47 AM
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08-30-10, 05:55 AM
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I'm going to grease the fork tube and the seals. Should I also grease the stem where it cradles the handlebar?
I will also grease all screws.
08-30-10, 08:15 AM
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The reason why your cranks are creaking under load is because you have crap (sand, mud, water, whatever...) in bottom bracket threads.
I can give you a detailed explanation of how this happens, but just pull the cups out and clean the threads with a rag. Line them with a thick anti seize grease and reinstall them. This will form a "liquid" barrier that will stave off this problem from happening again.
Last edited by badbikemechanic; 08-30-10 at 09:02 AM.
08-30-10, 08:41 AM
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I still have the exact same creak, and as of yesterday, now I have 3 or 4 creaks at a time. Arrrggggh!
EDIT: I used white grease, if that's of any importance.
Last edited by xfimpg; 08-30-10 at 08:50 AM.
08-30-10, 09:02 AM
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Perhaps it's a time for a trip down to your favorite LBS? If they are competent and nice they should be able to give you some free advice. Bicycle problems are notoriously hard to diagnose through the internet - almost as hard as they are on the phone.
Without knowing the particular year of the bicycle. Almost all creaking issues originate in the bottom bracket in some way (Unless of course your chain rings are loose - something that would be fairly obvious) I am confident that if you replace your bottom bracket the creaking will vanish.
Without knowing the particular year of the bicycle. Almost all creaking issues originate in the bottom bracket in some way (Unless of course your chain rings are loose - something that would be fairly obvious) I am confident that if you replace your bottom bracket the creaking will vanish.
Last edited by badbikemechanic; 08-30-10 at 09:08 AM.
08-30-10, 09:07 AM
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08-30-10, 09:18 AM
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I, think you have already lost your sanity, and are experiencing something similar to the "ghost pain" phenomenon that amputees and nerve surgery under goers experience, but in your case its a ghost creak.
Maybe some psychological evaluation and counselling will aid in your recovery and solve your "creak" issues.
lol.
Maybe some psychological evaluation and counselling will aid in your recovery and solve your "creak" issues.
lol.
08-30-10, 09:19 AM
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If your bottom bracket bearings are worn out the only way the problem can be fixed is by replacing them. It is fairly common. BBs are cheap and a replacement would be worth it imo to give it a shot.
08-30-10, 09:27 AM
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The bike is new from march 2010, i'd say it has around 1500 miles of riding on it. Could the bb be worn out already? I was hope it would last at least one summer, but I could be wrong.
08-30-10, 09:27 AM
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I, think you have already lost your sanity, and are experiencing something similar to the "ghost pain" phenomenon that amputees and nerve surgery under goers experience, but in your case its a ghost creak.
Maybe some psychological evaluation and counselling will aid in your recovery and solve your "creak" issues.
lol.
Maybe some psychological evaluation and counselling will aid in your recovery and solve your "creak" issues.
lol.
Sometimes we just need to hear it from someone else.
08-30-10, 11:39 AM
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Well I think your problem is bad bearings still. I looked up your bicycle and you have some kind of Shimano product. I would give shimano a call and see if they had any problems with their bottom brackets. Then I would go to a different lbs, explain your problem, and have the cranks warrantied through shimano. Or go back to your bike shop and explain to them that the problem is still present and imply that their mechanics are incompetent for not finding the solution. That should apply a bit of pressure to come up with a solution since you spent a bit on the bike. Shimano is very easy to deal with when it comes to warranty.
At least this would be how I would go about it if you were my customer.
Best
At least this would be how I would go about it if you were my customer.
Best
Last edited by badbikemechanic; 08-30-10 at 11:43 AM.
08-30-10, 12:19 PM
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Well I think your problem is bad bearings still. I looked up your bicycle and you have some kind of Shimano product. I would give shimano a call and see if they had any problems with their bottom brackets. Then I would go to a different lbs, explain your problem, and have the cranks warrantied through shimano. Or go back to your bike shop and explain to them that the problem is still present and imply that their mechanics are incompetent for not finding the solution. That should apply a bit of pressure to come up with a solution since you spent a bit on the bike. Shimano is very easy to deal with when it comes to warranty.
At least this would be how I would go about it if you were my customer.
Best
At least this would be how I would go about it if you were my customer.
Best
I took the bike out for a spin during lunch and I think I may have found it.
I'm waiting to take it out again tonite or tomorrow to confirm, but it looks like the seat being too far back in the seatpost clamp was creating the creaking.
Verdict to come in a while. In the meantime, thanks to all you Mtbr's for your advice.
08-30-10, 03:59 PM
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wow just wow.
If you can't tell where the sound is coming from how the hell do you expect a diagnosis.
If you can't tell where the sound is coming from how the hell do you expect a diagnosis.
08-30-10, 04:09 PM
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Anyways, the jury is still out on this until I take it out for another spin, but I'm hoping this is the end of it.
08-30-10, 04:27 PM
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Try greasing your front derailleur mount? That eliminated a pedaling creak for me. Also, grease your seatpost (if that hasn't been mentioned/done).
08-30-10, 05:32 PM
#50
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My creaky seat is still creekin'. I honked up off it today and rode for awhile, and no creaks. Sit my butt back in the saddle and aaaaaaaagh! "The Creak" is back!