Creaking like a Creaky Thing!

[Hugh Manatee]

Spare bike#2 is getting a bit loud. I think I have detected and tracked down two separate creaking noises.

The first is from the saddle area as it disappears when out of the saddle.
The second is from the cranks/bottom bracket area. It gets worse when power (such as I have) is applied.

My plan is to:

1. Remove the saddle, clean and re tighten the clamp as well as try to spray some oil along the rails.

2. Remove the cranks and copper slip the square tapers before re tightening the crank bolts.

Will this help? Is copper slip a grease or more of an anti binding agent?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ColinJ]

Good luck with that!

I did a 38 km ride yesterday and was being driven crazy by a ticking noise from my bike. I am doing a 203 km forum ride tomorrow and don't fancy having to listen to that sound for 10+ hours, so thanks for reminding me to track it down!

 

[coffeejo]

I suffered from one noise for weeks. I eventually discovered that it was the clips on my saddle bag rattling against one another because they hadn't been tightened properly.

 

[roadrash]

any excuse to post this....
http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html

 

[HailshamHoop]

I just tracked down an annoying creak which was resolved by WD40 at the points the rails meet the saddle. Sounds similar to the noise you describe as only happened when my delicate bum was on the saddle
I also had a faint ticking noise from the BB when crank was on the down stroke so replaced BB and all good finally (awaits next noise to spoil my ride and sanity)

Good luck tracking them down

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Coppagrease is more of an anti seize product than a lubricant.
Some may disagree - but I wouldn't recommend greasing the square taper axle. Some suggest that doing so can encourage the cranks to slip off the axle. A little Coppagrease under the bolts may help though.

 

[doog]

Just try tightening up the crankbolts, cant see how coppergrease / ease would stop a clank....something needs tightening

 

[Drago]

Don't coppaslip the tapers. The copper particles will leave the crank microscopically loose, and that'll quickly increase. You can grease the tapers, but under the pressure generated the grease flows away from the contact points like water making it a pointless exercise.

 

[ColinJ]

Good luck with that!

I did a 38 km ride yesterday and was being driven crazy by a ticking noise from my bike. I am doing a 203 km forum ride tomorrow and don't fancy having to listen to that sound for 10+ hours, so thanks for reminding me to track it down!

Loose chainring bolts - I think!

They were definitely not tight enough and the bike has quietened down a lot now. Let's see what tomorrow's big ride brings ...

 

[Vertego]

Good luck with that!

I did a 38 km ride yesterday and was being driven crazy by a ticking noise from my bike. I am doing a 203 km forum ride tomorrow and don't fancy having to listen to that sound for 10+ hours, so thanks for reminding me to track it down!

I once had an annoying ticking noise. Couldn't figure it out at all.

Only happened when pedalling. Eventually tracked it down to the drive side crank arm hitting the end of the cable to the front mech that had somehow been bent outwards.

Now, a creak has appeared from nowhere. Again only when pedalling. Seems to come from left crank/bottom bracket but no doubt it will be coming from somewhere completely different. Chainring bolts are all tight. Probably end up being the saddle/stem but haven't really paid any attention when out of the saddle, which only happens very rarely.

 

[Banjo]

Noises often come from a completely different bit of the bike than you think .
If cleaning/greasing seat post doesn't cure you could try cleaning /greasing all the interfaces of the bars stem and steerer.

good luck.

 

[Trull]

I changed my spd cleats out for new ones… cured an annoying creak!

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Noises often come from a completely different bit of the bike than you think .
If cleaning/greasing seat post doesn't cure you could try cleaning /greasing all the interfaces of the bars stem and steerer.

good luck.

This!

I had a squeek, went away out of the saddle.

Turned out to be from the spacers on the steerer. On the seat they would rub and squeek, out of the saddle, extra weight on the bars stopped them from twisting independently so stopped squeeking.

 

[ColinJ]

I once had an annoying ticking noise. Couldn't figure it out at all.

Only happened when pedalling. Eventually tracked it down to the drive side crank arm hitting the end of the cable to the front mech that had somehow been bent outwards.

Now, a creak has appeared from nowhere. Again only when pedalling. Seems to come from left crank/bottom bracket but no doubt it will be coming from somewhere completely different. Chainring bolts are all tight. Probably end up being the saddle/stem but haven't really paid any attention when out of the saddle, which only happens very rarely.

I've had the cable problem in the past.

In my case ... I tightened my chainring bolts and it seemed to make a difference but the noise came back!

It isn't the saddle/seat post because I get the noise out of the saddle.

The noise always comes with the right pedal at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Noises often come from a completely different bit of the bike than you think .
If cleaning/greasing seat post doesn't cure you could try cleaning /greasing all the interfaces of the bars stem and steerer.

good luck.

I could try holding the stem rather than the bars to see if that makes a difference. Making hard efforts is what causes the noise and I think I would struggle to put those efforts in safely no-handed!

I changed my spd cleats out for new ones… cured an annoying creak!

That's an interesting idea. In my case, the noise is more of a ticking than a creaking so I don't think it will be the cleats.

The bottom bracket is relatively new. I have probably only done about 3,000 miles on it and most of those in good weather, so I wouldn't expect the BB itself to be the problem. I have thought about taking the cranks off and checking that the BB cups are tight enough.

I cleaned the chain, rings, cassette and freehub yesterday and the noise seems about 50% quieter and 50% less frequent. I noticed that the chain and cassette are showing signs of wear so I think I will change them before the rings start to be affected. Maybe that will fix it?