Creaking Cannondale

[cheeky_chops]

Ive got a 2019 Synapse and the crank is creaking. Everything on the bike is Shimano 105 + discs but crank is FSA, google suggests BB30a https://www.cannondale.com/-/media/files/manual-up...

Whats my options here? Some online resources say the creaking will return and the push fit design is the issue.

If i swap to a new BB, might as well go Shimano - Would this work - https://wheelsmfg.com/bb30a-outboard-abec-3-bb-for...

[andySC]

Cannondales do have a reputation for creaking BB’s (don’t all pressfit though?). I’ve had a SuperSix Evo with a BB30A & I replaced the standard bearings with a pressfit component made by bbinfinite. Absolutely no creaks since. In fact I’ve had 2 from them as I swapped the 30mm cranks for Shimano.

Any of these bearing modules…Praxis, C-bear, Wheels MFG, bbinfinite etc will be a much better proposition than the standard setup as they remove the alignment issues that generally cause the bearings to start creaking.

[ZetecTDCI]

Cheapest and easiest option will be to replace it with another pressfit b/b. You could easily get another 3 years out of one.

[ucb]

Just replaced my BSA BB on my Giant.
Creak came back within 10 miles. I'll be having a look at the pedal bearings but I think could just be a st frame

[moonigan]

The crank on these require huge amounts of torque (45nm IIRC) and this can be a contributing factor. Its never usually the bearings unless they are shot but the process of replacing them is fairly straight forward and inexpensive. If you have a full size torque wrench remove the crank and feel the bearings spin in your fingers. If they feel smooth put everything back and put a little grease on the crank shaft and crank bolt and torque it back up again. If they feel slightly rough get them replaced.

I chased a creak for ages on my last bike and it was the forks where they contact the wheel with QR closed. A small amount of grease on the contact points solved it.

[boyse7en]

Are you sure it is the BB? I was convinced my bike's creak was a bearing on the way out but it turned out to be the saddle rail - a half turn with an allen key nipped it up and all was quiet

[cheeky_chops]

cheers all

boyse7en said:

Are you sure it is the BB?

The chain was due a change (which i had been putting off to do everything at once) so did chain and degreased cassette, its alot better. On closer inspection, one of the washers/seals on the non-drive crank side looks a little twisted/not flat all the way round so could be an issue. Will have a few more rides and see if its still annoying!

[thepritch]

boyse7en said:

Are you sure it is the BB? I was convinced my bike's creak was a bearing on the way out but it turned out to be the saddle rail - a half turn with an allen key nipped it up and all was quiet

This was my first thought - sometimes my creaks / clicks have been handlebars / headset when I was convinced it was the BB. Once it was my even my cleats.

Have been lucky with my 2018 Evo HM that I’ve never had any creaks from the BB - but had loads on my previous super six.

[moonigan]

cheeky_chops said:

The chain was due a change (which i had been putting off to do everything at once) so did chain and degreased cassette, its alot better. On closer inspection, one of the washers/seals on the non-drive crank side looks a little twisted/not flat all the way round so could be an issue. Will have a few more rides and see if its still annoying!

That's the "wavy" washer its meant to be like that.

[lufbramatt]

I Have a CAAD8 with a BB30 bottom bracket. If you replace like for like, use some bearing fit compound (like threadlock but for bearings) on the bearings when you press them in.

Mine never creaked but I ended up swapping to a shimano chainset as the BB30 bearings just don't last very long. Used a FSA adaptor sleeve which completely eliminates all the pressfit issues and allows you to use a threaded BB.

[drd63]

Very unusual for Giant to have a creaky BB. I’d question the quality of the rest of the frame set from a manufacturer who’s gone to threaded BB’s. It can suggest they can’t be bothered to meet the quality and tolerances required for press fit BB.

[Steve_H80]

I'm pleased to read this. My Cannondale creaks like a good 'un, and here is me thinking it was me knees all these years.
Thus reassured I can continue to ignore it.

[S100HP]

thepritch said:

boyse7en said:

Are you sure it is the BB? I was convinced my bike's creak was a bearing on the way out but it turned out to be the saddle rail - a half turn with an allen key nipped it up and all was quiet

This was my first thought - sometimes my creaks / clicks have been handlebars / headset when I was convinced it was the BB. Once it was my even my cleats.

Have been lucky with my 2018 Evo HM that I’ve never had any creaks from the BB - but had loads on my previous super six.

It's never the bottom bracket. Check the seat post, the rails, the bars, the pedals and the cleats first. Undoubtedly it'll be one of them. Once you've checked those then it might be the bottom bracket

[ian in lancs]

I have a 2020 Synapse with a Cannondale BB30 that has done 5000km. Everything torqued to spec. So far so good.

You might find this interesting

https://youtu.be/Su_P38uJRbo?feature=shared

https://www.hambini.com/product-category/bottom-br...

Edited by ian in lancs on Wednesday 14th August 08:47

[J4rvis]

Many years ago I had a Cube road bike that creaked like mad. The bottom bracket was replaced and everything tightened up but the sound remained.
It turned out to be 'dry' skewers. Solution was to lightly grease the skewers with any old bike grease and re-fit into the wheel. Immediate results and silent bike rides thereafter. :-)