Please help me diagnose my bike problem - creaky.

[migueltorres]

First off I've had this problem a while and it is making me crazy (well, more crazy anywaysss...)

It's is my 2001 sasquatch norco bike converted (please no snickering) to a communting bike.

It is a large aluminum frame bike (20"?) but I am a big guy (6 4" - 225lbs).

PROBLEM: When I ride the bike after about 20mins I get CREAKS which seem to originate from the crank/bottom bracket area.

I tried tightening (prol'y overtghtened) and lubing that area but i am not a pro so i may have missed/messed something.

Anyways after that adjustment the problem STILL COMES BACK. Creaking from the same bb/crank area.

Here's the kicker...I am using a long 425mm seatpost and when i take my ass of the seat (while peddling) the creak stops. Also if I adjust the seatpost (up or down 1 mm) AFTER the creaking begins - the creaking does stop!

..... but then starts up AGAIN after 20 minutes...

Man this is bugging me to the point that I just do not enjoy riding the bike as much...this never happened to my old rocky.

Anyways, can someone suggest a solution?? I theorize that it maybe the combination of a extra long steel seatpost extended onto a aluminum fram bike...but I am hoping that it is not such a serious problem (for which I doubt a solution exists)...hoping it maybe a crank/b.bracket issue....or something else????

Any input really appreciated...

thanks

mt

[Putty]

it could be the seat post. try a longer seat post. if the post is creaking in the tube it most likely means that the post is not inserted enough.

put your seat much lower and see if you get the creak.

[trout]

Take the pedals off the cranks, and the cranks and bottom bracket out of the frame. Clean and grease all the threads and re-assemble, use a torque wrench if you can. Do the same to the seatpost, greasing all the bolts and even where the saddle rails clamp.

[corey@nsmb.com]

Creaking means two metal surfaces are rubbing, however little that my be.

Sounds like a seat post / seat clamp related issue.

Lube up the seat post. Take apart, clean and lightly grease the saddle rails and seat clamp area.

You saddle could also be creaking...some just do it. Try some tri-clow lube where the saddle rails mount the actual seat itself.

And, if all that fails...

You may have a worn bb..lube won't help, they are sealed, unserviceable bearings. Bearings will creak when they are tired, but usually when they are audible you will feel some lateral play in the cranks.


And...this may sound odd, but you should also check the stem bolts and handlebar clamps...you never know. Creaks can be hard to track down.

[brentomatic]

I hate squeeks! HATE them! They bother me to no-end! My Peeler had this squeek that consumed me for weeks. My friends were laughing at me for wasting so much time on a little squeek.

I didn't care though and I kept going until I exhausted every option until I semi-solved the problem.

I feel your pain. I have no solution for you but I hope that you find it and fast!

Damn squeeks!

B:mad: