drlektro

I do have annoying creaks now for a long time while pedalling on my canyon al slx 2016 road bike. I've narrowed down the root cause to the bottom section (cranks, bottom bracket, ...). Over there I've took every possible countermeasure (at least from what I have found on youtube and forums), without success unfortunately. So first let me explain why the problem is located around the 'bottom section':

- replaced wheels with new wheels + greased dropouts many times, changed clamping force (medium, hard, very hard)

- replaced pedal axles with new axles + greased thread several times + replaced shoe cleats

- creaks remain when pedalling unseated, when pedalling with regular shoes (without cleats), when pedalling 'without hands'

- creaking stops when I stop pedalling

- creaking remains when pedalling with one foot (no matter left or right foot)

- maintained both rear mech hanger and front derailleur + greased

- replaced all cables (brakes + gears) with new ones

-....


So the cause of this should be somewhere around bottom bracket, cranks, ... This is what I've already tried:

- replaced bottom bracket several times + mounted/remounted with grease/antiseize assemble paste (shimano, tokenninja, ...). Now it is the 4th bottom bracket...

- mounted/remounted small crank, replaced/greased mounting screws, put antiseize paste at contact sections between small and big cranck, used loctite 243 for fixing the bolts. ...

- correctly torqued/re-torqued everything following the shimano specs many times, with every mount/remount

- for all attempts, I cleaned the parts using degreaser....


As a final attempt, I'm thinking to mount the bottom bracket with a retaining compound, but not sure what would be the best solution (for use with plastic cups and aluminium). I think tolerances have increased as the bike is used/getting older. Any more hints and tips a very much appreciated.

Polaris OBark

Have you looked for a crack in the frame material and the welds?

PS:

1. Pedals have axles, not axes. Probably best to call them spindles.
2. Aluminum is Al, not alu.

drlektro

I did check for cracks around the bottom section, but the paintjob and welds are still in a pristine state.
1+2 -> changed the wordings, thx!

Polaris OBark

Is it a press-fit bottom-bracket?

If so, you may be doomed.

Does it have an Ultegra or Dura Ace Hollowtech II crankset? Those were just recalled (in the US at least) and a failing crankset could be the source of the noise.

drlektro

Yes, an ultegra hollowtech II crankset, with press fit bottom bracket exactly. Hmmm, recalled you say. Found the youtube video from gplama based on your feedback.
The problems I'm facing might be related. I'll dive into the details of the recall action and update the post.
Unfortunately I live in Belgium, Europe. So no luck for me apparently...

drlektro

Just checked the Shimano website, and I'm doomed indeed. My crankset is affected by this issue and there is a recall action in Europe as well, lucky me.
I'll walk this path first before taking any other actions.

Thx again for noticing!

aliasfox

I've heard if it's press-fit you're probably out of luck unless you get one of those fancy thread-together bottom brackets (the name escapes me now...).

I took my bike in for inspection last weekend, noting that while I didn't see anything, I did have a creak coming from the same 'down there' area as you. The shop verified no delamination (so far), but traced the creaking down to too-loose chainring bolts. Apparently, Shimano had shipped the crankset with chainring bolts that were "finger tight" (shop monkey's words, not mine). That, and no grease on the crank spindle (overlooked in assembly?), were the apparent causes of my intermittent creaking. The shop reassembled to spec, and I took the bike out yesterday (after replacing a cut GP4k S2). No creaking!

Good luck on solving your issue!

drlektro

Token Ninja is the name of those threaded bottom brackets. That's the one I got for one year now, but was creaking as well and I've replaced past Wednesday with a Shimano BB86 again, without luck. Hence this post.... Enough grease on the crank spindle as well, tried really every option, multiple times, with many or little grease or any other compound.
When it comes to chainring bolts, I've replaced those as well, properly greased (shimano HQ grease), anti seize paste between metal on metal surfaces, and used loctite 243 to fix the bolts, tensioned at the right torque level, just a specified by Shimano. I'm afraid there are few to no arguments left, for not replacing this cursed crankset.

BTinNYC

RD hangar can cause creaking. Removal, cleaning and tightening the hangar fixed a horrible creaking for me...after doing a months of maintenance items, similar to your list. My bike was a Canyon Endurace.

eduskator

I've seen lots of creaking due to components, but never seen a creaking frame...

Finding the source of a creaking can be a living hell. I've been there

drlektro

I'll consider it to clean it again this weekend, as I've seen this in a GCN video as well.

Now in touch with Canyon, they are happy to inspect it, but they are still waiting for instructions from Shimano. I did notice visibly imperfections on my cransket (if I'm not mistaken), where the ends seem to loosen/fall apart. The bike has 20000 km.

drlektro

A living hell is... correct.

I'm ready to burn this bike if not being solved in a reasonable timeframe.

Polaris OBark

That's how I found a crack in my steel frame (in 1989).

eduskator

I feel you. A few years ago I stripped one of my bike completely and rebuilt it just to get rid of a creaking I wasn't able to locate. It requires a good deal of patience (which I don't have unfortunately).

The worst part? It worked for 500kms, and started creaking again.

drlektro

Oh my god, so frustrating! I assume you've bought a new bike then? Also there, if a new bike would be the only option, then I need to choose between aluminium, carbon or steel. Not sure if any of these materials is more prone to creaking than the other? Anyhow, as mentioned, I'll first check if the recall action can bring solace....

malcala622 

I ended up replacing the handlebar on my Bianchi after doing the same as OP. The bars weren't making full contact at the steering tube and so started to creek everytime.