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why are my cranks creaking?

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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)

why are my cranks creaking?

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Old 08-18-08 | 06:56 PM
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why are my cranks creaking?

i recently converted an old schwinn sprint into a fixed gear. it rides pretty smooth but theres this squeaking creaking sound coming from somewhere around the creanks/chainring when i pedal hard both on flat ground and going up hill. does anyone have any suggestions as to what this noise is and how to make it go away?
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Old 08-18-08 | 07:00 PM
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check your chain ring bolts and also check out your bottom bracket
 
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Old 08-18-08 | 07:09 PM
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being inexperienced in bike mechanics how would i go about checking the bottom bracket. the chainring bolts i can handle.
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Old 08-18-08 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by xdeadheatx
being inexperienced in bike mechanics how would i go about checking the bottom bracket. the chainring bolts i can handle.
BB's can be tool specific. Without knowing something about your specific BB and having the appropriate tools, I would just take it to a trusted LBS.
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Old 08-18-08 | 07:48 PM
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Also make sure your cranks are on tight.
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Old 08-18-08 | 07:57 PM
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did you grease the cranks before putting them on? did you grease your pedal threads before putting them on? MAY help.. hard to tell what your situation is.
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Old 08-18-08 | 08:21 PM
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Check your pedals
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Old 08-19-08 | 08:16 AM
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20 bucks says its your pedals, esp. if they are stock
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by imoscardotcom
20 bucks says its your pedals, esp. if they are stock
+1
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:31 AM
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the pedals arent stock but they need grease. i only had wd40 on hand when putting them on. but i cant imagine how the pedals coul-d be making these kinds of noises. but ill check this afternoon and pick up a tube of grease. are there any types of grease that will work better than others?
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:35 AM
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park grease or phils
 
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by xdeadheatx
i only had wd40 on hand when putting them on.
I think we found your problem. WD40 is not grease. Park and Pedro's brand are both great.
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:37 AM
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what are the cranks like and the bb? i would bring it to your lbs if unsure
 
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:48 AM
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the cranks are new suginos. and the bb was installed at the shop. the pedals are on tight. youre thinking its creaking just cause its not greased?
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:51 AM
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it's hard to say really...seems to me maybe the bb was not greased when installed...it's possible, your best bet is to take it back and have the shop check it out for you
 
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by matt wisconsin
did you grease the cranks before putting them on?
wait.. you're not implying he should be greasing the bb spindle tapers are you? that's a big no-no.
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:54 AM
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wouldn't that cause a crank arm to split?
 
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:55 AM
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Just get some lithium grease from any place that sells auto parts. You'd have to be mental to buy "special bike grease".
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by frymaster
wait.. you're not implying he should be greasing the bb spindle tapers are you? that's a big no-no.
Originally Posted by jpdesjar
wouldn't that cause a crank arm to split?
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/i...ng-cranks.html
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Old 08-19-08 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by imoscardotcom
20 bucks says its your pedals, esp. if they are stock
Or your knees.
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Old 08-19-08 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by xdeadheatx
the cranks are new suginos. and the bb was installed at the shop. the pedals are on tight. youre thinking its creaking just cause its not greased?
I had a strange creaking/clicking noise & when I let someone else ride my bike he said it sounded like the pedals. I wrote that off because my pedals were tight. However, when I got home I tightened the pedals a bit more & the noise completely went away. I was shocked. Just be careful not to overtighten.

WD-40 stands for Water Displacement (perfected on the 40th try). Despite what many people think, it is not a lube.
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Old 08-19-08 | 11:47 AM
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in my experience this is always the chainring bolts.
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Old 08-19-08 | 11:47 AM
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From: where the mild things roam
strangely enough i feel even less informed after reading that article.
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Old 08-19-08 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by frymaster
wait.. you're not implying he should be greasing the bb spindle tapers are you? that's a big no-no.
I was. And the article agreed with me.
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Old 08-19-08 | 11:55 AM
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if its not your pedals/chainring bolts/

Check the Stem/then seat post

Then check the BB

WD-40 Is worse than no lube in my experience. its just vegetable oil in an aerosol can, i'd sooner bust out bacon grease Jar

And from what i've heard From more than a few mechanics is that lubing the BB spindle will not make REAL difference +/-, providing the cranks are installed properly, some of the wrenches at the shop i work for do some don't.
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