Creaking in BB on new Madison
 

Hi. I bought a new Schwinn Madison '08 model on Saturday, and I love the bike, although there seems to be some minor quality questions. Its the Small frame, and I've swapped out the stock pedals for LOOK Keo Classics, but other than that, the bike is stock.

When I picked it up and rode it for the first time, I noticed some rattling in the headset and took it back to the LBS, who replaced the headset with a Cane Creek at no charge.

Now, though, the bottom bracket/crank is rattling/creaking at random. The bike is on the freewheel/single-speed side. The LOOKS are brandnew, but I'll be pedaling and get a sound that's like the old fashioned BBs - like the bearings are clanking, but when I stop pedaling briefly, I can make the sound stop most of the time.

I've checked the tension on the front chainwheel bolts, they're all tight. I don't have an Allen handy to test the cranks with that's big enough. Now, I get a 30 day free adjust, and I'm thinking perhaps some lubrication might do the trick, but its weird... I've actually spun the pedals backwards at rest and at real low revs it feels like the BB/crank is 'sticking' slightly. I'm assuming the BB is a sealed unit, so it if its screwed, swapping out for another one should cure this problem, should it not?

Or, am I just not pedaling right?

I love the bike otherwise.

Take it back. If you got a bad BB, then it needs to be replaced too.

How tight is the chain? But then again, I'd hope a BB would last more than a week even under hard forces.

Don't blame the bike, blame the parts. Once it is pimped out with better parts the bike will fall in place.

Take to the LBS and complain.

Chain tension is about right. Oh, i have no prob replacing with a higher quality BB. :) I just figger I should have them do it :)

Tighten the crank arms, the factory does a VERY BAD JOB of this! Most people I know have/had the same problem with their Biachi Pistas and Madisons! ( They both have the same crank set ;) ) My Madison started creaking on the first few rides! the first thing we (LBS and I) checked were the arms, sure enough they were loose! Tightened it all up and havnt had a creak since! ;) ( They both have the same crank set ;) )

Second that, check the tightness of your crank bolts.

They install the cranks and BB at the factory? Interesting.

When the store receives the Madison or just about any bike from the manufacturer all they have to do is mount the the front wheel, seat and seat post, stem and bars, and the pedals, very easy to do, maybe 20 minutes. Maybe another 10 minutes to make sure the bike is working correctly, another 20 minutes to correct whats not working right. Unless its a "junk bike" like from any of the 'Mart" stores ;)

Hey what kind of BB does an 08 Schwinn Madison fit??

68m bsa threading of course

Thanks @Retem:thumb: