[onepivot]

I have been dealing with a creaking stem/bar interface for a few months on my Niner. I have a Thomson stem & Easton EA70 riser bar (25.4mm) Will the oversize 31.8 system help with this situation?

Has anyone gone from the 25.4 to 31.8 for the same reason? I am certain that my creaking comes from this source but I don't need to spend the money if there will not be any change. This creaking happens only when I'm standing & grinding out the climbs and since I'm a big guy I can put some serious torque on the bars.

 

[E !]

When i get creaks

I have been dealing with a creaking stem/bar interface for a few months on my Niner. I have a Thomson stem & Easton EA70 riser bar (25.4mm) Will the oversize 31.8 system help with this situation?

Has anyone gone from the 25.4 to 31.8 for the same reason? I am certain that my creaking comes from this source but I don't need to spend the money if there will not be any change. This creaking happens only when I'm standing & grinding out the climbs and since I'm a big guy I can put some serious torque on the bars.

The best bet is to just grease up your stem bolts. Seems to work everytime for me and others that have had that same problem.

 

[Legbacon]

I've never had a creak from a Thomson stem and I have them on 4 bikes + my son's. I have 3 25.4 and 2 31.8's and they are all quiet but I had a Race Face System that creaked horribly no matter how much I greased things up. I would take the stem apart, clean and grease all bolts and surfaces. If that dosn't do it then maybe there is something wrong with the stem/bar. I have a 31.8 stem and Easton EA70 bar and it is a sweet combo.

 

[onepivot]

Thanks for input guys.

I've also used only Thomson stems for about four years now on three different bikes & this is this first time I've had this issue. I've also greased the stem bolts as pointed out in the manual. This is however, the first single speed that I've used a Thomson.

The history is: First time creak sounded I removed the bar, cleaned all surfaces, regreased stem bolt threads & put it back together & torqued to specs. All was well for @ 20 miles & then the creak slowly returned.

I repeated the process & the creak disapeared only to return soon after. I've done this dance three times now & I am almost certain that the creak is coming from no other source (famous last words) My King headset has been serviced and the stem/steer tube interface has been checked & cleaned.

Before I spend the cash on a new stem/bar combo I will swap out the stem from another bike & see what happens. Other than trying the 31.8 size, I am pretty much at a loss right now.

 

[Miker J]

Never fail fix...

Thanks for input guys.

I've also used only Thomson stems for about four years now on three different bikes & this is this first time I've had this issue. I've also greased the stem bolts as pointed out in the manual. This is however, the first single speed that I've used a Thomson.

The history is: First time creak sounded I removed the bar, cleaned all surfaces, regreased stem bolt threads & put it back together & torqued to specs. All was well for @ 20 miles & then the creak slowly returned.

I repeated the process & the creak disapeared only to return soon after. I've done this dance three times now & I am almost certain that the creak is coming from no other source (famous last words) My King headset has been serviced and the stem/steer tube interface has been checked & cleaned.

Before I spend the cash on a new stem/bar combo I will swap out the stem from another bike & see what happens. Other than trying the 31.8 size, I am pretty much at a loss right now.

Provided the creak is from the stem bar interface this will fix the problem. Wrap a layer of teflon tape (plummer's tape) around the bar. Mount the bar to stem and trim off extra tape so you don't see it. Done. If it continues to creak it's likely not bar stem interface.

Never had the problem with a Thomson, but have had it with some of my old, two bolt face plate design stems.

Mike
Mike

 

[onepivot]

Provided the creak is from the stem bar interface this will fix the problem. Wrap a layer of teflon tape (plummer's tape) around the bar. Mount the bar to stem and trim off extra tape so you don't see it. Done. If it continues to creak it's likely not bar stem interface.
Mike

Thanks Mike, I will give that a try.

 

[msiddens]

Another suggestion is I both ride the same combo AND have the same problem. You might consider replacing the Thomson bolts....think a 4 pack runs about 10 ducks.

 

[unit]

Your original post seems to ask if changing from 25.4 to 31.8 will stop the noise. I would bet a large amount of money that the noise is totally unrelated to the diameter.

I have a Thomson stem that behaves in the exact manner you describe. I refuse to try the teflon tape thing, because my bars already slip on rare occasions, and teflon cant possibly help that situation.

Greasing the bolts works....for a few days.

I guess I should ease up on the Teflon thing until I try it, but the idea of adding anything to that innerface scares me.

I am interrested in what, if anything, works for you.

ride on!

 

[Zen_Turtle]

Don't want to hijack this thread, but, can anyone explain why are ther 2 standars of diameter and what is the advantage of one vs. the other (assuming a clear cut answer exist) ?
thx

 

[unit]

Don't want to hijack this thread, but, can anyone explain why are ther 2 standars of diameter and what is the advantage of one vs. the other (assuming a clear cut answer exist) ?
thx

Take a look here
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=204818

Basically, some say thicker is stiffer. That may be good or bad depending on your ideas of how compliant a bar should be. Personally, I never thought that a one inch bar was too flexy.

Everyone draws their own conclusion I imagine.

I would also like to point out that I dont really find a larger diameter portion in the middle of my bars causing any noticable increase in stiffness either.

IMHO, its a way to sell more stems and bars....A lot of guys I know are runnign out and buying oversized stuff because it must be better.

 

[Zen_Turtle]

Take a look here
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=204818 .

Thanks for the pointer. I ran some searchs, but obviously looking in the wrong forum...

 

[shiggy]

Thanks for input guys.

I've also used only Thomson stems for about four years now on three different bikes & this is this first time I've had this issue. I've also greased the stem bolts as pointed out in the manual. This is however, the first single speed that I've used a Thomson.

The history is: First time creak sounded I removed the bar, cleaned all surfaces, regreased stem bolt threads & put it back together & torqued to specs. All was well for @ 20 miles & then the creak slowly returned.

I repeated the process & the creak disapeared only to return soon after. I've done this dance three times now & I am almost certain that the creak is coming from no other source (famous last words) My King headset has been serviced and the stem/steer tube interface has been checked & cleaned.

Before I spend the cash on a new stem/bar combo I will swap out the stem from another bike & see what happens. Other than trying the 31.8 size, I am pretty much at a loss right now.

I have a creak in the front end when standing and cranking hard. I am 90% positive it is the Chris King Headset as I can change stems and it still creaks.

 

[onepivot]

Shiggy,
I too am using a King headset. In trying to find the source of this creak I cleaned & regreased the bearings with no change. Do you think your headset creak is caused by something other than bearings needing attention?

Also, I tried the teflon plumbers tape. No change, the creak is still there. Maybe I will get new stem bolts.

 

[shiggy]

Shiggy,
I too am using a King headset. In trying to find the source of this creak I cleaned & regreased the bearings with no change. Do you think your headset creak is caused by something other than bearings needing attention?

Also, I tried the teflon plumbers tape. No change, the creak is still there. Maybe I will get new stem bolts.

Not related to bearings. CK headsets rely on tight tolerances and an o-ring rather than a compression washer for fit/adjustment on the steerer. Once things wear a bit they can creak.