I rented a bike for a couple days and it was silent. Now I’m riding my Giant and though it’s always creaked a bit I didn’t notice until I used a quiet bike. And it seems the creaking gets worse in certain gears but it shifts smoothly. I assume this is a lubrication issue but I’m not sure where to look.
PTCbiker
Phantom noises are always hard to locate; as a bike acts like a giant tuning fork and noises travel
This may sound odd, but I have frequently found taking a bike completely apart and doing a complete rebuild as the quickest way to get rid of many noises
if that does not do it
you might need to start replacing parts where it sounds like it might be
it can be a frustrating problem
so approach with a positive attitude
This may sound odd, but I have frequently found taking a bike completely apart and doing a complete rebuild as the quickest way to get rid of many noises
if that does not do it
you might need to start replacing parts where it sounds like it might be
it can be a frustrating problem
so approach with a positive attitude
Creaks can come from anywhere there is metal to metal contact, usually because it's got dry/unlubricated or a bit of dirt/grime has got somewhere it shouldn't be. Fixing is as easy as disassembly, clean, degrease and regrease or lubricate.
It will save time if it's possible to correctly identify exactly where the creak is coming from which is sometimes difficult in itself.
Most of the time ime it's the saddle rail clamps, seatpost, pedals, cranks or bb so I usually start there and systematically go through each possibility until I work it out. If not around that area you'd have to start checking elsewhere.
It will save time if it's possible to correctly identify exactly where the creak is coming from which is sometimes difficult in itself.
Most of the time ime it's the saddle rail clamps, seatpost, pedals, cranks or bb so I usually start there and systematically go through each possibility until I work it out. If not around that area you'd have to start checking elsewhere.
most common things to check, clean and re-grease to address random creaking: suspension pivots, seatpost, saddle rails/seatpost clamp interface, headset/stem area. Does the bike make noise when you're standing and coasting? If not, its likely seatpost / saddle rails if i was a betting man. As other posters suggested, just take an evening to tear down your bike, clean it, and rebuild it with some fresh grease. A clean and greased bike is a happy bike.
Fill a large tank with motor oil. Let the bike soak for several days. That usually works for me.
Alternatively, wear earplugs. Or, as mentioned in the other responses, lose your mind trying to find the source of the creaking.
That's what happened to me years ago. Drugs and counseling haven't helped.
Alternatively, wear earplugs. Or, as mentioned in the other responses, lose your mind trying to find the source of the creaking.
That's what happened to me years ago. Drugs and counseling haven't helped.
Give us a couple more hints.
Full suspension or hardtail?
Does it creak...
... only under hard pedaling?
... while standing or sitting?
... in high or low gears?
... only when rear suspension is active (if FS)?
80% of the time (or so) I've been certain it was the BB. Of course, it has never been the BB! Once it was just a cable rubbing. Yeah, look at the easy to find things like the saddle. Otherwise, taking it to an LBS you trust for quality might be the best strategy.
How often do you completely overhaul your bike? How often do you remove, clean (or replace the bearings), and reinstall your BB, HS, and hubs?
A decade ago, I started stripping down my bikes to the frame on Superbowl weekend. Forks and shocks were sent out to be professionally maintained by Fox. Frames are cleaned, inspected for any blemishes, and polished. Wheels are dropped off at my LBS for trueing. Then when the shocks are returned (turn around time is less than 10 days in February), the bike is reassembled with fresh cables, bled brakes and new brake pads.
This routine has greatly decreased any mechanical down time during riding season and virtually eliminated any creaks from my bikes.
If you are uncomfortable with maintaining your bike, learning to do so is actually not that difficult. Some LBS offer classes. Park Tool does offer classes as well: https://www.parktool.com/park-tool-school
A decade ago, I started stripping down my bikes to the frame on Superbowl weekend. Forks and shocks were sent out to be professionally maintained by Fox. Frames are cleaned, inspected for any blemishes, and polished. Wheels are dropped off at my LBS for trueing. Then when the shocks are returned (turn around time is less than 10 days in February), the bike is reassembled with fresh cables, bled brakes and new brake pads.
This routine has greatly decreased any mechanical down time during riding season and virtually eliminated any creaks from my bikes.
If you are uncomfortable with maintaining your bike, learning to do so is actually not that difficult. Some LBS offer classes. Park Tool does offer classes as well: https://www.parktool.com/park-tool-school
I took my bike to the dealership for its first tune-up and I mentioned some creaks. The tech tracked it down to the lower chainstay assembly having a hole that's just at the high end of the tolerance for size, so the bearing moves around and creaks. Fortunately it was caught right away so it's under warranty. Unfortunately with the current parts shortage, there will be a wait.
But it would never have occurred to me to check that when searching for a noise.
But it would never have occurred to me to check that when searching for a noise.
Do you have quick releases? They can creak at the cam interface. Other than saddle rails, I've found QRs to be where most creaking originates.
All of these 'shotgun' answers should narrow the options down to validate everything that moves and everything that doesn't move. Any part, component or fastener could be the problem. Isolate and correct.
You could ride a rigid. Super fun and technical. When you hear creaking it is probably because you cracked the frame.
29 posts and noone said it.
Torque spec. Seriously, torque spec.
All the grease (and you do need to do that) will mean nothing when you tighten the first three bolts to 5 Nm and the 4th bolt to 20 Nm. Use a star pattern at all times and a torque wrench to ensure even torque on your parts. That, the grease, and replace worn parts should do it.
Seriously, torque spec is key for noise on any load bearing, uh, bearing.
Torque spec. Seriously, torque spec.
All the grease (and you do need to do that) will mean nothing when you tighten the first three bolts to 5 Nm and the 4th bolt to 20 Nm. Use a star pattern at all times and a torque wrench to ensure even torque on your parts. That, the grease, and replace worn parts should do it.
Seriously, torque spec is key for noise on any load bearing, uh, bearing.
I had the phantom creaking. Better yet it was intermittent. Even better I found it to be only while I was mounted on the bike in certain temperatures. Some posters talk about getting on a trainer and having someone listen with a mechanics stethoscope while you ride. I never did that.
Never did find the actual creak generator. I rode thru it always anticipating finding damage later. Never did.
Found this HUGE article that gives ideas but is not a cure all.
All the best.
Never did find the actual creak generator. I rode thru it always anticipating finding damage later. Never did.
Found this HUGE article that gives ideas but is not a cure all.
All the best.
I didn't torque my crank bolt properly after pulling my cranks and bottom bracket after the winter to clean things up. The inevitable resulted, rounded out the interface a bit and now it comes loose. I also am at the end of life of my OEM entry level Race Face bottom bracket. Combine those two things and when the creaks started I blamed the cranks. Blue locktite, retorquing bottom bracket, grease down there, no joy. After a bit of riding it creaks again.
A few rides ago my dropper was sticking so I went to put some lube on it. I unthreaded the cap to get the lube under it and saw the lower was cracked from where I had it clamped up through the threads. Swapped my static post out while waiting on the warranty replacement and the creak is gone. I still need a new crank arm and bottom bracket, but the horrible noise is gone.
A few rides ago my dropper was sticking so I went to put some lube on it. I unthreaded the cap to get the lube under it and saw the lower was cracked from where I had it clamped up through the threads. Swapped my static post out while waiting on the warranty replacement and the creak is gone. I still need a new crank arm and bottom bracket, but the horrible noise is gone.
I own 2011 Trance. This spring, it started creaking on every pedal stroke, but only under load. It didn't creak coasting or trying to bounce the suspension.
Checked and tightened everything possible. No change.
I took the crank out and cleaned and greased everything. Still creaked.
I thought I could hear it in the suspension, so I took the upper shock mount and bearings out to clean. Reinstalled..still creaked.
Then riding slowly in driveway, I could make it creak by only leaning the bike heavily side to side. This told me suspension.
Rather than take everything apart, I did like an old timer sprayed WD-40 into each bearing joint to wash out grime and then test rode. On the third set of bearings, I found it. No more squeak.
My conclusion is that was a build up of dust and grime. I know WD-40 is not officially a lubricant, but it did the trick to wash out the grime.
Good luck.
Checked and tightened everything possible. No change.
I took the crank out and cleaned and greased everything. Still creaked.
I thought I could hear it in the suspension, so I took the upper shock mount and bearings out to clean. Reinstalled..still creaked.
Then riding slowly in driveway, I could make it creak by only leaning the bike heavily side to side. This told me suspension.
Rather than take everything apart, I did like an old timer sprayed WD-40 into each bearing joint to wash out grime and then test rode. On the third set of bearings, I found it. No more squeak.
My conclusion is that was a build up of dust and grime. I know WD-40 is not officially a lubricant, but it did the trick to wash out the grime.
Good luck.
Quite a while ago, you'd listen to audio from movies or music on airplanes with a headset that was just a couple of tubes that ended in ear pieces. Essentially stethoscopes.
There were times when you'd get very minor leaks around seals in the cockpit or entry doors and you could isolate those by going back and grabbing one of those to search for the source of the sound. Worked great, so it's no surprise that it would work for bike noises as well as long as you could make the noises sitting still.
There were times when you'd get very minor leaks around seals in the cockpit or entry doors and you could isolate those by going back and grabbing one of those to search for the source of the sound. Worked great, so it's no surprise that it would work for bike noises as well as long as you could make the noises sitting still.
^^^^^^ You're really dating yourself with that statement. I had completely forgotten about those. I think the last one of these headsets I used was on a Braniff 727. Yes, that long ago.
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