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TwoNeener
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mystery creak
10/02/13 at 1:10am
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I have a creak on the bike and it's driving me nutty.  It seems to appear when I'm cranking hard on the pedals (usually going up a hill) or when going deeper into the travel of the bike on some sort of downhill rager.

Here's what I've tried so far:
- different pedals
- cleaned and greased the saddle rails
- tried a different seatpost
- tried a different saddle
- regreased the pawls in the freehub
- relubed the rear skewer
- had the pivot bolts taken out, regreased/ and torqued to spec
- had bottom bracket removed and all the grit cleaned out 
- lubed the chain ring bolts
- checked the derailleur bolt for tightness/torque
- BB regreased
- crank bolt torque checked
- main bolt attaching the swing arm to the frame regreased and torqued to spec
- lubed the dropouts on the frame
- righted the screws attaching the dropouts
- cleaned/lubed the seat collar

So yeah, I've tried a few things.  Having the grit cleaned out seemed to help the most in reducing the frequency of the creak but the creak is still present.  Could it be the bearings in the pivots?

One other disclosure, the creak appeared after installing the XX1 drivetrain and a dropper post on the bike (the reason I tried a different seatpost).  I have no idea if that's related but it seems too coincidental not to mention.  I had briefly thought it might be the clutch in the Type 2 rear derailleur but I'm not convinced.

I would greatly appreciate some thoughts here.
« Last Edit: 10/02/13 at 3:09am by TwoNeener »  
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Avery
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #1 - 10/02/13 at 2:40am
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I could be totally wrong, but maybe the chain is stretched? I'm fairly sizeable and stretch out chains very easily. Usually when they are bad mine start creaking bad when going uphill. Doesn't explain the downhill creaking but maybe a new chain will eliminate half your noise issues.
  
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stateprez
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #2 - 10/02/13 at 2:43am
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If it creaks when you're standing up, then you can generally eliminate the post/saddle/collar.  I've had one or two click from the frame flexing, but not creak.

Try your chainring bolts/crank spider.

Make sure your rear derailleur bolt is tight also.  I'm guessing you did that with the dropouts though.

Put some teflon lube on your cleat/pedal platform/interface/whatever.  Make sure your cleats are tight on your shoes.
  
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Avery
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #3 - 10/02/13 at 2:44am
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Or pivot bearings could be lacking grease. I repacked mine recently only removing the seals and filling with grease, they were mostly empty.
« Last Edit: 10/02/13 at 2:47am by Avery »  
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TwoNeener
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #4 - 10/02/13 at 3:04am
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Avery wrote on 10/02/13 at 2:40am:
I could be totally wrong, but maybe the chain is stretched? I'm fairly sizeable and stretch out chains very easily. Usually when they are bad mine start creaking bad when going uphill. Doesn't explain the downhill creaking but maybe a new chain will eliminate half your noise issues.


The chain on there is only about a month old...
  
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TwoNeener
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #5 - 10/02/13 at 3:08am
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stateprez wrote on 10/02/13 at 2:43am:
If it creaks when you're standing up, then you can generally eliminate the post/saddle/collar.  I've had one or two click from the frame flexing, but not creak.

Try your chainring bolts/crank spider.

Make sure your rear derailleur bolt is tight also.  I'm guessing you did that with the dropouts though.

Put some teflon lube on your cleat/pedal platform/interface/whatever.  Make sure your cleats are tight on your shoes.


I did also relube and tighten the chainring bolts (it's a single ring) and the derailleur bolt is very tight.

The pedals are platform pedals so metal to metal interface to speak of.
  
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stateprez
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #6 - 10/02/13 at 4:10am
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If you've hit everything, I'd break out the flashlight and start looking for a crack.
  
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JR
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #7 - 10/02/13 at 12:11pm
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you have press fit BB cups?
Maybe BB shell oblong now?

Have you rechecked your headset?
I just had to replace my Cane Creek 40 because it was creaking.
No matter the preload, just kept at it.

Before I totally replaced it, I got an Azonic Headlock II which eliminates the starnut and utilizes a through-bolt.
(I purchased these after already ordering my new headset)
The creak went away.

Creaks drive me crazy as well.
Good luck!
  
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TwoNeener
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #8 - 10/02/13 at 1:04pm
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it's a threaded bottom bracket

I haven't checked the headset.  How would I be able to tell if that's the origin short of just replacing it?
  
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JR
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #9 - 10/02/13 at 1:09pm
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standing in front of your bike, lock up your front brake and push back and pull forward forward on your bars.
Like trying to compress your bike back and releasing it.

If you hear your creak or click, try putting your ear near the headtube while doing this.

My lower bearing cartridge was moving ever so slightly inside my lower cup making a clicking noise anytime my front wheel went over a rock.
Not very confidence inspiring....
  
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JR
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #10 - 10/02/13 at 1:10pm
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actually if you have the time, pull the headset all apart and regrease the crap out of everything in there.
if you haven't done it in a while, you'll need to anyways.
  
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RobP
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #11 - 10/02/13 at 1:34pm
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Chain could be on backwards
  
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TwoNeener
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #12 - 10/02/13 at 4:08pm
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RobP wrote on 10/02/13 at 1:34pm:
Chain could be on backwards


I thought only Shimano chains were asymmetrical?
  
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #13 - 10/02/13 at 5:37pm
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Chk stem bolts to both the steerer tube and handlebars.
  
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #14 - 10/02/13 at 6:26pm
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Rear spoke tension?
  
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #15 - 10/02/13 at 8:40pm
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xchainer wrote on 10/02/13 at 5:37pm:
Chk stem bolts to both the steerer tube and handlebars.


I had actually taken all of those out, gave them some grease, and reinstalled.

Hmm...
  
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Its Teh Patrick
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #16 - 10/02/13 at 10:00pm
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Fox fork? It's entirely possible that its your crown/steerer junction.

The way to test this would be to take off the fork, and clamp the steerer in the stand, grab the lowers and pull the fork forward and back and listen for creaking.
« Last Edit: 10/02/13 at 10:02pm by Its Teh Patrick »  
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TwoNeener
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #17 - 10/02/13 at 10:47pm
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Its Teh Patrick wrote on 10/02/13 at 10:00pm:
Fox fork? It's entirely possible that its your crown/steerer junction.

The way to test this would be to take off the fork, and clamp the steerer in the stand, grab the lowers and pull the fork forward and back and listen for creaking.


It's a Rockshox Pike actually.  But I went and tried this anyway and nothing.

I cannot get the thing to creak unless I'm riding it to be honest.
  
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #18 - 10/02/13 at 11:56pm
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Get the wife to help you pinpoint the creak.
It honestly sounds like another set of ears is needed to find the culprit.
  
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Re: mystery creak
Reply #19 - 10/03/13 at 12:04am
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Try reading this

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Have you systematically tried to isolate the different parts on the bike.  Riding while standing was mentioned and I think you have to through the entire bike to try to recreate the problem.  If you can put the bike in a trainer you may be able to isolate front and rear suspsension.  You may be able to sit, stand, pedal, etc.  Being able to recreate is key.   

Have you tried where the cable housing meets the stops on the bike?  I've had those endcaps creak in their slots on the frame.

Have you flexed the seat?  Sometimes the seat can creak where the rails interface with the seat itself.  I drip some lube in those holes and flex it back and forth.

It could be the pivot bearings?  Are they particularly dirty? old? 

DU bushing?

  
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