A Creak in the Creek

[Aushiker]

G'day

Chase, my CRX 1 which has done 5200 km has a very loud creak and I am trying to isolate it without much luck and seeking some ideas on the possible cause. Things which may help in the process:

(a) If I stand and pedal the creak goes away;
(b) Saddle is a Brooks B17
(c) Chain is worn badly and really needs replacing

The BB feels okay, no sounds of dragging or feels like it is. My plan is to swap out the seat Friday and see if that makes a difference. Other ideas?

Andrew

[kukamunga]

Glucosamine and fish oil.....

[Aushiker]

Glucosamine and fish oil.....

That one just went straight over my head I am afraid

Andrew

[il padrone]

Glucosamine and fish oil.....

That one just went straight over my head I am afraid

Alleged remedies for creaky arthritic joints

[Caelum]

I have the opposite problem.....


Somewhere in the drivechain i have a creak - somewhere at the front... but everything looks to be in perfect order. Thought it may have been a loose chainring or something, but it all looks ok... only happens when i put the bike under load - higher the load, the higher the number of clicks/creaks per revolution of the crank... and it happens at certain points in the crank, like clockwork....

Thought it might be the chain, but lubed that to no avail... an almost new bike, probably done less than 500km..

[tallywhacker]

had a similar thing once. Seatpost. Grease and tighten

[Kalgrm]

had a similar thing once. Seatpost. Grease and tighten

+1

It was a common problem on Giant MTBs for a while (still may be?).

Could also be a loose seat clamp on the rails of the saddle, or you may need to put some Proofide on the nose of the Brooks where it bends over the metal bit at the front.

Cheers,
Graeme

[kukamunga]

fish oil for healthy brain function

[kukamunga]

Somewhere in the drivechain i have a creak - somewhere at the front... but everything looks to be in perfect order. Thought it may have been a loose chainring or something, but it all looks ok... only happens when i put the bike under load - higher the load, the higher the number of clicks/creaks per revolution of the crank... and it happens at certain points in the crank, like clockwork....

Sounds like it could be a bottom bracket or crank/ spindle interface noise. What type are you running? May be even a pedal prob.....

[Matt_Matt]

G'day

Chase, my CRX 1 which has done 5200 km has a very loud creak and I am trying to isolate it without much luck and seeking some ideas on the possible cause. Things which may help in the process:

(a) If I stand and pedal the creak goes away;
(b) Saddle is a Brooks B17
(c) Chain is worn badly and really needs replacing

The BB feels okay, no sounds of dragging or feels like it is. My plan is to swap out the seat Friday and see if that makes a difference. Other ideas?

Andrew

If you have checked you seatpost / saddle already time to check your cranks.

And then head over to Creaks, Clicks & Clunks

[Caelum]

Somewhere in the drivechain i have a creak - somewhere at the front... but everything looks to be in perfect order. Thought it may have been a loose chainring or something, but it all looks ok... only happens when i put the bike under load - higher the load, the higher the number of clicks/creaks per revolution of the crank... and it happens at certain points in the crank, like clockwork....

Sounds like it could be a bottom bracket or crank/ spindle interface noise. What type are you running? May be even a pedal prob.....

running 105 BB/crankset.

[Parrott]

fish oil for healthy brain function

Apparently protects against heart dysrhythmias also

Then again, http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/1130/63

[kukamunga]

'Dizrythmia' - best Split Enz album ever!

[NotTim]

I had a similar issue with my crx1, turned out to be the cranks, removed the cranks, cleaned up the ends of the bottom bracket and put it back together and it's been quiet ever since

[Hawkeye]

It pays to keep your eyes and ears open.

On my commuter it turned out to be a loose BB. A lean on a wrench by the LBS mechanic fixed that.

On my dually, it turned out to be dirt in the seat rail sockets. A wipe and some chain lube fixed that.

On one of TooLongLegs' bikes, it turned out to be a fatigue-cracked crank. Eventually it let go mid-sprint in a bunch ride.

Usually it's something trivial. It pays to be cautious, though: the consequences of a structural failure can be decidedly non-trivial.

[Aushiker]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will start with the seat post and take it from there. I assume removing the cranks is easy but the bottom bracket will require a special tool. Is that correct?

Also is is okay to grease carbon seat posts?

Thanks
Andrew

[Bnej]

Also is is okay to grease carbon seat posts?

A carbon assembly paste like Ritchey Liquid Torque is a better idea.

[Aushiker]

Also is is okay to grease carbon seat posts?

A carbon assembly paste like Ritchey Liquid Torque is a better idea.

Thanks Bnej ... off to the LBS I go I go ...

Andrew

[Aushiker]

A carbon assembly paste like Ritchey Liquid Torque is a better idea.

Thanks Bnej ... off to the LBS I go I go ...

Andrew

Lets make that three and counting ... first one had no idea what I was talking about. I really try to support this LBS but this really doesn't help. Second one offered to order it in ...; third one also offered to order it in and at least asked the mechanic if they had a bit I could have without luck.... a couple to try at Freo on Saturday.

In the mean time could I use a spot of grease as a stop gap measure, assuming it is the problem?

Andrew

[Bnej]

Many carbon makers don't recommend grease, and in principle it shouldn't be needed. I think sogood uses grease on carbon parts, I haven't tried it myself.

Most bike mechanics I have spoken to don't use assembly paste, but it is the right stuff to use. Assembly paste will reduce the required tightening torque so you don't risk damaging your post trying to stop it from slipping.

[GSXR1]

A carbon assembly paste like Ritchey Liquid Torque is a better idea.

Thanks Bnej ... off to the LBS I go I go ...

Andrew

Lets make that three and counting ... first one had no idea what I was talking about. I really try to support this LBS but this really doesn't help. Second one offered to order it in ...; third one also offered to order it in and at least asked the mechanic if they had a bit I could have without luck.... a couple to try at Freo on Saturday.

In the mean time could I use a spot of grease as a stop gap measure, assuming it is the problem?

Andrew

Don't know if they sell it, but Ward Cycles in Morley use it out the back in the workshop - they used it when I had issues with my carbon seatpost slipping earlier this year

[heavymetal]

Check your cleats if you use them. This was the cause of one of mine. The other creak that I had was a cracked crank.

[Aushiker]

G'day

Thanks for all the help. I think I have resolved the problem. Well my quick test ride this afternoon did not produce a creak.

I suspect the problem was the seat and/seat post. I am not 100% sure as I pulled the seat post out, lubed it, took the seat off, gave it a once over, replaced the chain and checked over the cranks.

Anyway fingers crossed all sorted.

Thanks
Andrew