Flatballer

Today is a good day. I finally tracked down a squeaking on my bike that had been driving me crazy for weeks. I've been busy lately, so most of my riding has been racing, not exactly the time to be tracking down noises.

The symptoms are: squeaking from the front of the bike when turning the handlebars, and often just when putting pressure on the bars, such as climbing.

Your first thought is probably headset, as mine was. But, alas, it wasn't that easy. Today I finally got fed up after my commute and decided to find it before I went to ride this evening. After loosening/tightening the headset a few times and still not getting rid of it, I investigated further.

Turns out it was the barrel adjusters for the shifters. I think the ferrule that's in there had gotten a little rusty, and was rubbing against the frame stop whenever the shifter housing moved just a touch. A couple squirts of Tri-Flow on each adjuster, and it's good as new.

I had searched Sheldon's site and other websites of squeaks and ticks trying to get insight, but never saw this one listed. I thought I would share, before someone hurt themselves in frustration.

umd

When my bike starts squeaking I know it's time to lube the Nokons again