Creaky bike sounds driving me nuts

[272BHP]

Had my bike serviced and working lovely a month or so ago but I washed it 2 weeks ago and now I have creak sounds every time I ride it - I am useless at identifying where sounds are coming from though.

It doesn't seem to happen when I coast but starts when I pedal and put some torsion through the frame. At first I was convinced it was coming through the handle bar area but I am not sure now.

Any ideas or techniques on how to diagnose and fix?

[ecsrobin]

Bottom bracket is normally good for a creak.

[sociopath]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry. Once you track that one down, there'll be another along to annoy you.

[Caddyshack]

ecsrobin said:

Bottom bracket is normally good for a creak.

Yes, my first thought was this.

[cml24]

Ive got a creak on my orange five. Last time it creaked the raceface cranks were loose. Checked and not this, this time.

Have loosened, cleaned a retorqued axels, pedals etc. It only creaks when pedaling (ruling out suspension i hope) and it doesn't matter if I'm seated or not, so not saddle related.

Bottom bracket my last thing to try.

Just a case of seeing if it happens when seated or not, pedalling or not, then trying things from easier to hardest I guess!

[272BHP]

I don't mind the odd squeak but this is quite incessant and needs to be fixed for my sanity.

Bottom bracket? hmmm, it doesn't sound as though it is coming from down there but my direction finding ability is pretty awful these days.

If it is how to fix? is this a WD40 squirt and leave job?

[Louis Balfour]

272BHP said:

Had my bike serviced and working lovely a month or so ago but I washed it 2 weeks ago and now I have creak sounds every time I ride it - I am useless at identifying where sounds are coming from though.

It doesn't seem to happen when I coast but starts when I pedal and put some torsion through the frame. At first I was convinced it was coming through the handle bar area but I am not sure now.

Any ideas or techniques on how to diagnose and fix?

Lube the pedal spindles and see what happens. It could be the bottom bracket, but rule out the pedals first.

[Simes205]

Seat post, rear skewer etc etc.
Loosen and tighten up.

[iansp]

I spent ages tracking down a creak on my bike and was adamant it was coming from the crank / pedals but then I went up a steep hill out the saddle and the creak stopped so I just cleaned the seatpost and seatpost tube and it disappeared. Try riding out the saddle and see if you still get a creak.

[Super Sonic]

Are you sure it's not your knees or hips?

[bobbo89]

Bottom bracket - Especially if it's press fit
Cranks - I've had Race Face cranks that love to creak
Chainring - Direct Mounts are good for a creak
Pedals - Worn bushes get creaky
Pivots - My Cotic fully needs the occasional strip down, clean and rebuild of the pivots to keep it quiet

They're the main culprits in my experience, especially as you say it only happens when cranking and that it's happened after a wash, something has got dry and you've got a friction creak.

I like to build everything up with aquaproof paste or 'shut up grease' as people call it. Tends to keep things quiet.

[272BHP]

I went through all the trouble shooting methods suggested and finally narrowed it down, it was the saddle!

Cleaned, reseated and tightened up and I am a happy cyclist again - thanks everyone.

[Simes205]

272BHP said:

I went through all the trouble shooting methods suggested and finally narrowed it down, it was the saddle!

Cleaned, reseated and tightened up and I am a happy cyclist again - thanks everyone.

Nice and cheap fix. It’s always my first stop!

[Julian Scott]

Louis Balfour said:

272BHP said:

Had my bike serviced and working lovely a month or so ago but I washed it 2 weeks ago and now I have creak sounds every time I ride it - I am useless at identifying where sounds are coming from though.

It doesn't seem to happen when I coast but starts when I pedal and put some torsion through the frame. At first I was convinced it was coming through the handle bar area but I am not sure now.

Any ideas or techniques on how to diagnose and fix?

Lube the pedal spindles and see what happens. It could be the bottom bracket, but rule out the pedals first.

Ditto. The majority of creaks and squeaks I have had were pedals, or cleats.

Even better than Louis's advice, if you have some flat pedals, swap them with the ones on your bike and ride it in trainers. If the squeak disappears, you've narrowed the source down to two areas ;-)

[Lotobear]

I had an irritating creak on my first Commencal Meta.

Still recall sitting oustide the Three Shires mid ride in the Lakes and looking at my bike when I spotted a bloody crack at the double butted joint in the downtube!

As others have aside fortunately the BB is the more common cause.