first things first...
you have to narrow down the source of the creak:
1. Does it happen when you are pedaling both on and off the saddle? If so, it isn't your saddle. If only when on the saddle (and not when standing and pedaling), then it probably is the seat post or the saddle rails (and not the BB, pedals or cranks).
2. While coasting, bounce up and down on the pedals to see if the suspension creaks (hit a couple of curbs just for kicks). If you can replicate the creaks while bouncing up and down and coasting, check all pivots for play. If none, tighten all pivots using a torque wrench to spec.
3. If you can replicate the creak while coasting and bouncing and it happens while you are standing and/or sitting and pedaling, it could be the bb, cranks or pedals. Check the pedal bearings for play, if none, take it off the crank, put on some flat pedals (or another set) and see if you can make it creak. If it still creaks, it isn't your pedals. Check your cranks next. Make sure the cranks are torqued to spec and that the bb bearings have no play. Test for the creak again, if it's still there, take out the crank and bb, use teflon tape and anti-sieze and reinstall and torque everything to spec.
4. If the noise is still there, check the rear wheel for bearing play. If none, check the spoke tension.
I once had a creak on my SS. I did all of the above, even brought a new XT crankset and BB and installed it, but the creak remained. It finally went away when I put on a new rear wheel. Upon closer inspection, I found that the drive side spokes have loosened over time (and SS use will do that to rear wheels) which was causing the creak. I tightened to the appropriate tension and everything was good again... Did I mention that I hate creaking?
you have to narrow down the source of the creak:
1. Does it happen when you are pedaling both on and off the saddle? If so, it isn't your saddle. If only when on the saddle (and not when standing and pedaling), then it probably is the seat post or the saddle rails (and not the BB, pedals or cranks).
2. While coasting, bounce up and down on the pedals to see if the suspension creaks (hit a couple of curbs just for kicks). If you can replicate the creaks while bouncing up and down and coasting, check all pivots for play. If none, tighten all pivots using a torque wrench to spec.
3. If you can replicate the creak while coasting and bouncing and it happens while you are standing and/or sitting and pedaling, it could be the bb, cranks or pedals. Check the pedal bearings for play, if none, take it off the crank, put on some flat pedals (or another set) and see if you can make it creak. If it still creaks, it isn't your pedals. Check your cranks next. Make sure the cranks are torqued to spec and that the bb bearings have no play. Test for the creak again, if it's still there, take out the crank and bb, use teflon tape and anti-sieze and reinstall and torque everything to spec.
4. If the noise is still there, check the rear wheel for bearing play. If none, check the spoke tension.
I once had a creak on my SS. I did all of the above, even brought a new XT crankset and BB and installed it, but the creak remained. It finally went away when I put on a new rear wheel. Upon closer inspection, I found that the drive side spokes have loosened over time (and SS use will do that to rear wheels) which was causing the creak. I tightened to the appropriate tension and everything was good again... Did I mention that I hate creaking?
