I know this is a repair/maintenance type thread but this is where i find all my answers in life. that said, this is regarding my fix. this week my bike started making an awful creaking noise when i get up for the downstroke. i assumed it was my BB going, so i replaced it. didn't work. then i checked the whole front drive, tightened cranks and chainring bolts, replaced the chain, tightened the pedals (they're fairly new) and rechecked the BB. didn't work. i have now checked the whole front of drive and the bearings on both hubs as well as making sure the rear cog and lockring are tight. everything i can think of and it still creaks like hell when the drivetrain is weighted. it feels like it sources from the rear end but im not sure. i also looked for cracks in the frame but didn't see any. anybody got any other ideas?

Pedals

Seat

+1

stem, bars, headset

i appreciate all the quick input but this is def not coming from the seat or any thing up front. pedals ill buy but they are as tight as they'll get

youd be surprised where sounds come from. i had a terrable creaking noise and it ended up being the seatpost bolt wasnt clamped tight enough on the rails. I thought it was a drive issue too.

loose crankset(or damaged taper/splines).

I assume by up for the downstroke you mean it creaks while you are pushing down? Is it worse on one side?

okay so now i just put on old set of cranks and tightened everything, seatpost, stem clamp, everything. its def worse on the drive side. thanks again for everybodies thoughts. its just my old fuji, but its my old work bike and she is still my main ride.

damaged taper/splines.

did you use grease when installing your cranks?

yeah

I have been reading a mechanics book I picked up @ borders, and they recomend greasing the bearing cups when reinstalling them back onto the BB shell. Or using plumbers tape instead. My mtb creeks something nasty and I am going to give this a try as soon as I get a chance.