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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

The squeakening...

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Old 02-09-16 | 03:51 PM
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Bikes: Charge EVO III, Cannondale CAAD8

The squeakening...

Noticed last week on a long group ride, that my bike was starting to develop a bit of a squeak. More prevalent throughout the night, moreso the harder I pedaled. I can also make it do it when I'm off the bike, pushing down hard on the bars. Today, I started trying to find and diagnose it. So far I have :

- Dripped a bit of lube between all the spoke intersections
- Removed/reinstalled axle nuts
- Removed/cleaned/lubed SPD pedals
- Pulled/lubed cranks
- Pulled/replaced chainring bolts
- Pulled/lubed bars, stem and steer tube
- Pulled/lubed seatpost

Only thing I haven't done so far is pulled and reinstalled the bottom bracket. But it doesn't seem like it's coming from there, and I cleaned/lubed it thoroughly before installing and tightened it down. I don't know what else to check!
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Old 02-09-16 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by AndjaVXC
Noticed last week on a long group ride, that my bike was starting to develop a bit of a squeak. More prevalent throughout the night, moreso the harder I pedaled. I can also make it do it when I'm off the bike, pushing down hard on the bars. Today, I started trying to find and diagnose it. So far I have :

- Dripped a bit of lube between all the spoke intersections
- Removed/reinstalled axle nuts
- Removed/cleaned/lubed SPD pedals
- Pulled/lubed cranks
- Pulled/replaced chainring bolts
- Pulled/lubed bars, stem and steer tube
- Pulled/lubed seatpost

Only thing I haven't done so far is pulled and reinstalled the bottom bracket. But it doesn't seem like it's coming from there, and I cleaned/lubed it thoroughly before installing and tightened it down. I don't know what else to check!
I had a bike where the headset cups would squeak in the frame. Their press fit was just a billionth not tight enough. Drove me nuts because I thought it was the quill stem inside the fork or the quill wedge.

IF that turns out to be your problem you can just line the inside of the head tube with some nail polish. Or you can use the correct stuff ($) to tighten up interference fits.

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Old 02-09-16 | 04:04 PM
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From: Vancouver, WA

Bikes: Charge EVO III, Cannondale CAAD8

I guess first I'll take it by the LBS that pressed in the cups and see what they think. I don't have the ability to pull or reinstall the headset.

Last edited by AndjaVXC; 02-09-16 at 04:10 PM.
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Old 02-09-16 | 04:46 PM
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- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
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Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

You could try to isolate the noise with an automobile stethescope.
Maybe ten or twelve dollars at Autozone, Pep Boys, etc.

Have someone push down on the bars while you give a listen.

Last edited by TimothyH; 02-09-16 at 04:50 PM.
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Old 02-09-16 | 06:01 PM
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From: Vancouver, WA

Bikes: Charge EVO III, Cannondale CAAD8

Took it to the LBS to have them check it out, mech discovered (wish I'd checked for this) that most of the spokes on the front wheel are super-loose. He's pretty sure that's the issue.
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Old 02-09-16 | 06:17 PM
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Bikes: Road, mountain and track bikes and tandems.

It's a huge advantage to put a drop of oil on each nipple where they meet the rim, before you tighten them up. The oil reduces friction, and you can easily get the spokes tight.
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Old 02-10-16 | 02:49 PM
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From: Vancouver, WA

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Picked it up this morning, not a sound.
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Old 02-10-16 | 03:02 PM
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My Leader was quiet when I picked it up too. Riding it was another story altogether.

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Old 02-10-16 | 03:24 PM
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#iseewhatyoudidthere
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