Creaking and squeaking
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Creaking and squeaking
Just started in the last day or two. It happens when I move the bike side to side, either in the saddle or out of it, pedalling or not. It's even creaking when I'm standing still. The bolts at both ends of the stem and seatpost are good. I'm fairly confident this isn't an issue with the saddle or handlebar. Any ideas?
Stationary:
While riding:
Stationary:
Likes For noodle soup:
#3
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Check the spoke crossings, especially on the rear wheel. Pinch them together where they cross. If you hear any squeak or feel unusual friction or stiction, that's probably the source.
I get that with only one wheelset, the black spokes on my hybrid. I moosh some wax between the spoke crossings every month or so. Soft wax from scented candles works better than oil or grease for me. Maybe those wheels have a delicate romantic side, I dunno.
A few months ago I chased down persistent squeaks for weeks on that bike, eventually overhauling the hubs, BB, and checking everything else. But it was just the spokes.
I get that with only one wheelset, the black spokes on my hybrid. I moosh some wax between the spoke crossings every month or so. Soft wax from scented candles works better than oil or grease for me. Maybe those wheels have a delicate romantic side, I dunno.
A few months ago I chased down persistent squeaks for weeks on that bike, eventually overhauling the hubs, BB, and checking everything else. But it was just the spokes.
Likes For canklecat:
#4
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
206 Posts
check the spoke crossings, especially on the rear wheel. Pinch them together where they cross. If you hear any squeak or feel unusual friction or stiction, that's probably the source.
i get that with only one wheelset, the black spokes on my hybrid. I moosh some wax between the spoke crossings every month or so. Soft wax from scented candles works better than oil or grease for me. Maybe those wheels have a delicate romantic side, i dunno.
A few months ago i chased down persistent squeaks for weeks on that bike, eventually overhauling the hubs, bb, and checking everything else. But it was just the spokes.
i get that with only one wheelset, the black spokes on my hybrid. I moosh some wax between the spoke crossings every month or so. Soft wax from scented candles works better than oil or grease for me. Maybe those wheels have a delicate romantic side, i dunno.
A few months ago i chased down persistent squeaks for weeks on that bike, eventually overhauling the hubs, bb, and checking everything else. But it was just the spokes.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: West Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,112
Bikes: '84 Peugeot PH10LE
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
39 Posts
Take out the wheel qr's. Thoroughly saturate them with oil. Wipe off the excess oil. Reinstall. Make sure they're tight. Go ride. I'd bet heavily the noise will be gone.
Jon
Jon
Likes For Jon T:
#6
Serious Cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308
Bikes: Emonda SL6
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times
in
99 Posts
I had the most annoying creak recently that was similar to the OP's. Was convinced it was my headset bearings so I took them out and cleaned/regreased them multiple times without success. Turns out my front skewer was just a little loose and dry. Facepalm moment.
Likes For Dan333SP:
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
They're Sciroccos with radial on the front and the G3 pattern on the rear, so that's not it, unfortunately.
I will definitely try this!
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,163
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 344 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
18 Posts
Just started in the last day or two. It happens when I move the bike side to side, either in the saddle or out of it, pedalling or not. It's even creaking when I'm standing still. The bolts at both ends of the stem and seatpost are good. I'm fairly confident this isn't an issue with the saddle or handlebar. Any ideas?
Stationary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSBixdYq0zk
While riding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXNLefYrdEQ
Stationary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSBixdYq0zk
While riding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXNLefYrdEQ
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Heh heh, wouldn't want to contravene regulations, so no, no spacers under the stem on the bike.
#10
Serious Cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308
Bikes: Emonda SL6
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times
in
99 Posts
One more thing that's given me creak headaches in the past... If you have external cabling, check where the barrel adjusters/cable housing stops are mounted on the frame and spray a little triflow onto those points, sometimes they can click or creak.
#11
Senior Member
Tighten up your wheel skewers.
#12
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
My early '90s Trek 5900 has Salsa aluminum QRs with the external cam. Nice and light and tight and squeaky. I use the same stuff on the mating surfaces -- scented candle wax. Or chocolate. Chocolate would probably work too. Maybe a bubble bath and a romcom.
Dang lightweight bikes. It's like dating again. Always a new squeak or creak or whine to track down and fix.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Success!! I threw some lube on the skewers and that did the trick. I'm now squeak-free.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Likes For rousseau:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Just started in the last day or two. It happens when I move the bike side to side, either in the saddle or out of it, pedalling or not. It's even creaking when I'm standing still. The bolts at both ends of the stem and seatpost are good. I'm fairly confident this isn't an issue with the saddle or handlebar. Any ideas?
Stationary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSBixdYq0zk
While riding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXNLefYrdEQ
Stationary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSBixdYq0zk
While riding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXNLefYrdEQ