Creaking BB - help!

I was out for a couple of weeks with an injury, so took the opportunity to leave the bike in for its first free service. Took it out for a spin yesterday, and theres a creaking from ( I think) the Bottom bracket (hope its not my knee:eek:). Very noticeable going uphill out of the saddle.

Is this normal in a practically new bike? Given that it definately wasn't there before I left it in for service, what could they have done to it that would have caused this?

Could I do damage if I continue to cycle on it?

Could actually be any number of things.. a loose crank arm, loose BB cup in the frame, loose chain rings, creaky pedal axle..!

And yes, there is a possibility of permanent damage if you continue to ride it loose.. although the severity of damage depends on what's loose.. best not leave it to chance though..

You can easily try fix it yourself, it'll be a good exercise in bike maintenance for you.. Get some allen keys (usually an 8mm for the crank arm, 5mm for the chain ring bolts, 6mm for the pedals - or a 15mm spanner, unfortunately if the BB cup is loose then you'll need some specialist tools to fix it)

Best thing would be to get a decent honest mechanic to have a look at it for you to narrow down exactly what the problem is - have a chat with Fat Fecker on this forum (Stewart), he has just opened up a new shop and has all the tools to get you sorted..

Yeah had some creaking like that a few weeks ago, hard to know where it's coming from as the sound just travels through the frame, my creaky noise turned out to be the stem not clamping the bar as tight as it should have been, so might be worth checking that.

Have to agree with Sprocket, I had an annoying creak aswell, sounded like it was coming from the cranks/stem/headset, turned out to be my saddle which proceeded to break after I tightened the clamp.

Had similar and it turned out to be the seatpin binder was cracked / seatpin was loose..

Thanks for all the replies.

I had kinda ruled out the seat post as the creaking was particularly bad when I was out of the seat.

Ill have a look at tightening up all the bits you mentioned Mac, and if that doesnt help I might indeed pay Stewart a visit.

Last time a couldn't track down a creaking noise a removed parts one by one during a spin off Camaderrry until I eliminated the noise. First off the saddle and seat post came off, no, joy, then the right pedal, still there, took off the left crank, still creaking, it was only when I removed the brake levers did the noise stop, at least I think it did, I was screaming quite loud at the time.

Creeking is just one of those things with mountainbiking... A creek can sound like its coming from one thing but its actually coming from another... like the creeking Byrner makes when he's out of the saddle.. it sounds like its coming from his cranks but its actually his hips...!

Like the lads have mentioned above the bars and stem can creek too if not tightened properly.. this is more likely to happen when climbing out of the saddle as you'll be putting more load / stress on the bars & stem than when your seated.. to check this, get off the bike (as it could be a creeky setpost / saddle) put the front wheel between your legs to hold it still, then try twisting / pulling the bars up and down, if you hear creeking then you need to tighten the bar / stem clamp bolts.. try the same idea with the saddle.. grab it and twist it / move it up and down to to see if you isolate the source of the creek..

Also.. if you successfully locate the creek and it still persists you might need to dab a bit of grease on the bolt threads or on the steerer tube of the fork (where the stem clamps on) or wherever you find it..

One other thing which is very important - don't over tighten bolts.. you might end up ringing the threads or snapping a bolt.. which is never a good thing..!

its not my hips mr mac..its my wooden micky !!

Some good solid advice there Mac....
three options...
1. try find the creak
2. I'll try find the creak
3. Go back to/telephone the shop you bought it from and ask what they can do. chances are they never rode it, and never noticed it. They might have adjusted something, and undertightened somethind. these things happen in shops, but it is how they deal with it that gives a better pict. They probably expected you to just go to he beauty salon on it... If they only knew.....
Stew

So what are ya saying Stew?

I need to go to the beauty salon?:o

The cheek!











;D - I might give ya a call tomorrow.
Im in two minds about bringing it back to the shop. Seems to be sloopy workmanship that would leave a bike out in worse order than it came in (also had a new scrape down the side that wasnt there beforehand:mad:)
And while I might be entitled to get it fixed for free there - Im not sure Id trust them with my pride and joy again!

Fixed!!

Well I owe a great big thanks to Stew in Sprocket cycles for sorting out my creak. Turns out it came fom the lower link. Needed a bit of a cleanout and greasing.
But not after he had meticulously taken off, cleaned, greased and retightened every other moveable part on the bike - "just to be sure".

I would have full confidence in leaving my bike with him in the future for maintenance/fixing. Thanks Stew!
(now if I could just sort out those squeaky brakes....no-one would hear me coming!!)

Orla