RockiesDad

I have a carbon frame with PF30 bottom bracket with SRAM Apex 2x cranks and have started to notice that under heavy load (like peddling uphill standing up) that I can hear something creaking near the crank. I know that PF30 are not the best but when should I start to thinking about to replace/repair it? Will my frame be damaged if I wait too long?

So what are my choices if I do want to replace it? I know that there are a lot of brands out there but what should I be looking at as a replacement? Exact part numbers would be nice. I will probably replace the crank so that its a matching set (good reason to upgrade).

Any ideas?

Jon T

I'd be willing to bet heavily that the problem isn't the bb at all but qr's that aren't seated properly. Remove the qr's. Saturate them with oil. Remove the excess oil. Reinstall. Ride. I know 2 instances where this actually was the culprit.
Jon

Sapperc

Creaking noises tend to travel through a carbon frame and can be hard to actually isolate and fix. As mentioned above definitely check the easy stuff first. It’s not a bad idea to check all the easily maintained stuff before tackling the more difficult and more involved maintenance issues. Seat rails, seat posts, spokes, quick releases, pedals, rear cassette, front chainrings, headset can all cause creaking. If everything is aligned, clean, lubed, tight and properly torqued then check the bottom bracket for play. Even minus noticeable play it might creak under heavy loading. Bottom brackets do require periodic maintenance, usually yearly or more often if riding in harsh conditions. Probably just a matter of cleaning and relubing the bearings. Follow the schedules and instructions for your various components. You can probably find them online. If not there are lots of generic instructions and videos available, or take your bike to a local bike shop you trust.

With a methodical approach you should be be able to find and reduce or eliminate the source of the creaking. Good luck and happy cycling!

AnkleWork

Yes, they would be.


Maybe just upgrade the whole bike and get away from PF30 altogether.

krecik

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smashndash

One more vote for the QR skewer. Two of my friends have had creaky skewers. One front, one rear.

My bike developed a click. I believe it’s actually the pedals (the bearings don’t roll anymore, but I have yet to replace them so I can’t be sure that’s the culprit. But I’m fairly confident.)

check your cassette lockring as well. Also, I’ve seen hub axle end caps come loose.

ramzilla

I have had bottom bracket creaking on both a steel bike and an aluminum bike. Turned out to be the chainring bolts both times. I found a good deal on a new set of titanium chainring bolts on ebay once.

jadocs

Skewers or through axles, or if you have Disc it’s your frame flexing and disc brushing the pad.

RockiesDad

Okay I'll check the easy stuff first. Thanks...