Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Creaking Noise From Bottom Bracket Area
#1
Hello,

I have a Boardman Comp Aluminium Frame racing bike:

Truvativ Elita Crank set with Truvativ GXP cups. Ultegra pedals.

I get creaking from the bottom end when under high strain. ie going up hills. (Although it is hard to locate the sound).

I decided to buy brand new GXP cups to try and start eliminating the creaking sound. These I replaced and find that the creaking has not diminished.

Any idea what the creaking sound is. Could it be the frame or the pedal bearings?

Nevica
  Reply
#2
(05-23-2011, 08:44 AM)Nevica Wrote:  .... Could it be the frame or the pedal bearings?
....

Yes. make sure that the BB and pedal bearings are adequately preloaded. Just because you replaced the BB does not mean that the preload is sufficient.
Nigel
  Reply
#3
(05-23-2011, 09:38 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  
(05-23-2011, 08:44 AM)Nevica Wrote:  .... Could it be the frame or the pedal bearings?
....

Yes. make sure that the BB and pedal bearings are adequately preloaded. Just because you replaced the BB does not mean that the preload is sufficient.

Preload? Could you explain please?

Nevica
  Reply
#4
http://www.nmbtc.com/bearings/engineering/preload.html
http://www.promshop.info/cataloguespdf/kbc10.pdf
http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/mechanical/articles/17347.aspx
Nigel
  Reply
#5
(05-23-2011, 08:44 AM)Nevica Wrote:  Hello,

I have a Boardman Comp Aluminium Frame racing bike:

Truvativ Elita Crank set with Truvativ GXP cups. Ultegra pedals.

I get creaking from the bottom end when under high strain. ie going up hills. (Although it is hard to locate the sound).

I decided to buy brand new GXP cups to try and start eliminating the creaking sound. These I replaced and find that the creaking has not diminished.

Any idea what the creaking sound is. Could it be the frame or the pedal bearings?

Nevica


I have also experienced the same problem with shimano xt external bb. Remove the the crank and the bottom bracket from the bike. Clean everything for old grease. Reassemble the bottom bracket with lots of new teflon waterproof grease on the threads and the sides of the external BB. Grease all the surfaces of the spaces too. Keep it nice and tight. Wipe away excess grease. Reinstall the crankset. Should do the trick.
  Reply
#6
I found the creak after a long search.

I took my pedals of and greased the threads with copper ease. Now, no more creak!!!!

Nevica
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
What size bike should I get?
Yesterday 05:14 PM
Next adventure or repeat the same..
Yesterday 05:09 PM
Call of nature while riding?
Yesterday 05:07 PM
Are carbon frames fragile?
Yesterday 09:03 AM
Gu/SiS/Energy Gels replacement
Yesterday 04:06 AM
Food while bikepacking or touring
Yesterday 03:52 AM
How new adventures begin..
08-01-2026 08:05 AM
Bells as anti-theft devices
07-31-2026 10:49 PM
Beautiful bikes
07-31-2026 10:35 PM
Are you mainly into Mountain Biking, Roa...
07-31-2026 10:26 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
26 posts
no avatar 2. Mr. Beanz
20 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
19 posts
no avatar 4. rydabent
13 posts
no avatar 5. meamoantonio
10 posts