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Creaking and squeaking

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Creaking and squeaking

Old 06-25-19, 07:57 PM
  #1  
rousseau
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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:
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Old 06-25-19, 10:46 PM
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Just a guess, but check your headset, or skewers.
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Old 06-26-19, 02:29 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-19, 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
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.
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Old 06-26-19, 08:22 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-19, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Jon T
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
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.
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Old 06-26-19, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
Check the spoke crossings...
They're Sciroccos with radial on the front and the G3 pattern on the rear, so that's not it, unfortunately.

Originally Posted by Jon T
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
Originally Posted by Dan333SP
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.
I will definitely try this!
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Old 06-26-19, 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by rousseau
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
Do you have any spacers under the stem? If so, take the stem off and try putting a light coat of grease between each one then reassemble.
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Old 06-26-19, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by cycledogg
Do you have any spacers under the stem? If so, take the stem off and try putting a light coat of grease between each one then reassemble.
Spacers? Is this not the road forum, where slamming the stem is de rigueur?

Heh heh, wouldn't want to contravene regulations, so no, no spacers under the stem on the bike.
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Old 06-26-19, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by rousseau
Spacers? Is this not the road forum, where slamming the stem is de rigueur?

Heh heh, wouldn't want to contravene regulations, so no, no spacers under the stem on the bike.
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.
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Old 06-26-19, 02:59 PM
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Tighten up your wheel skewers.
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Old 06-26-19, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by rousseau
They're Sciroccos with radial on the front and the G3 pattern on the rear, so that's not it, unfortunately.
Ah, in that case, another vote for the QR.

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.
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Old 06-26-19, 08:00 PM
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Success!! I threw some lube on the skewers and that did the trick. I'm now squeak-free.

Thanks!
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Old 06-28-19, 04:21 AM
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Originally Posted by rousseau
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
Put some lube oil on the ferrule cable on the frame. Check you rear sprockets on the cog if they're loose.
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Old 06-28-19, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Stravacyclist79
Put some lube oil on the ferrule cable on the frame. Check you rear sprockets on the cog if they're loose.
look at post #13 . His problem was solved.
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