Possible Problem with wheel bearings...

[Subotai72]

The creaking continues!

Sounds like it's actually coming from where the sprockets are on the rear wheel...any more suggestions? Is this somethnig that can happen? I'm thinking of giving up and taking it to the LBS as I obviously know nothing about bike mechanics!

 

[Gravity Aided]

One thing I've found about bicycles. Anything can happen.

 

[accountantpete]

Could be spokes or dropouts.

a)Pop some oil on the spokes where they meet and in the eyelets

or for dropouts

b) take the wheel off and smear a little grease on the dropouts and see if that cures it.

 

[HertzvanRental]

Sod it!! Buy a new bike!!

 

[Subotai72]

Could be spokes or dropouts.

a)Pop some oil on the spokes where they meet and in the eyelets

or for dropouts

b) take the wheel off and smear a little grease on the dropouts and see if that cures it.

Thanks, I'll try that tonight.

 

[Subotai72]

Sod it!! Buy a new bike!!

It is! Well in April it was!

 

[ChrisEyles]

Checking the spokes is a good shout. One other possible cause is if the cranks are not quite tight enough on the BB spindle - if you've got an 8mm allen key it's worth checking that the crank bolts are done up nice and tight. This can make some noise even if there's no discernable play in the cranks. If you haven't taken off the pedals, cleaned and re-greased the threads and re-installed, this is also worth a go.

I had a pernicious creak for weeks and it drove me mad (turned out to be the BB threads) - so best of luck getting it sorted!

 

[fossyant]

It's your hip. Out with the chain saw, whip the leg off. Jobs a good en.

 

[Subotai72]

It's your hip. Out with the chain saw, whip the leg off. Jobs a good en.

I'm beginning to wish it was!

 

[Subotai72]

Checking the spokes is a good shout. One other possible cause is if the cranks are not quite tight enough on the BB spindle - if you've got an 8mm allen key it's worth checking that the crank bolts are done up nice and tight. This can make some noise even if there's no discernable play in the cranks. If you haven't taken off the pedals, cleaned and re-greased the threads and re-installed, this is also worth a go.

I had a pernicious creak for weeks and it drove me mad (turned out to be the BB threads) - so best of luck getting it sorted!

Cheers Chris. I'll check that next. Already had a totally unnecessary BB replacement and it continues! I'm beginning to think it could be coming from the left crank area, certainly prevalent on the left pedal down stroke.

We're getting closer...

 

[andrewrider]

Hey, i had sort of the same problem. i tried everything from the headset onwards, after allit turned out to be the chainrings on the crank... I think you should give that a try.

 

[ChrisEyles]

I'm beginning to think it could be coming from the left crank area, certainly prevalent on the left pedal down stroke.

If you have a creaking crank, it's more likely to be the left than the right. The left crank transmits torque directly to the BB spindle (while the torque from the right crank goes to the rear wheel via the chain), so the interface between crank and spindle is more likely to get damaged if everything's not nice and tight.

I had this on one of my bikes, the good news is that tightening up the crank bolts fixed the problem and it's been fine ever since.

Tightening up the chainring bolts as @andrewrider suggests is also a good idea if they're loose.

Let us know how you get on!

 

[Subotai72]

@ChrisEyles & @andrewrider thanks for the tips, they do seem the most obvious causes. first thing I'm going to try when I get in. I'll let you know how I ge on.

I'm a bit disappointed in the LBS for not checking it after they changed the BB. After all I described the symptoms to them and they immediately said "Oh that'll be the Bottom Bracket" changed it (and moaned that he'd broken one for some reason trying to fit it). First time I road up a slight incline afterwards it started again! Obviously didn't take it for a spin after they'd done the work!

 

[Hacienda71]

I have had an out of the saddle creak that was driving me round the bend. Tried different pedals, wheels, bb, headset, skewers. I greased and tightened everything I could think of. Eventually I found out I had two sets of wheels that were creaking. The set I had put on had just been rebuilt and I had assumed would be totally quiet. How wrong I was. I put a beat up old set on off my winter bike and the ride was silent. I suppose the moral of that is check and then check again.

 

[Subotai72]

Took the bike back into the LBS, told the other co-owner (the one who hadn't fitted the un-required BB!) what the problem was; he gave about 2 bolts a quick turn and used some plastic disc shaped thing where the crank fastens to the BB and now...no more creak! Well, I got back on the bike and rode up a steep hill and it creaked once or twice and nothing since!

Thanks to everyone for their input. Bloody bikes.