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

New: Take Part in the September Giveaway to Win the Luckeep X1 Pro ebike


Is the creaking sound coming from pedals or bottom bracket? [Solved]
#1
Hello everyone.

After many winter rides, my 29er MTB began to throw out creaking sounds last week. It's nothing too loud, just a gentle yet annoying creak that happens on every other stroke but not constantly. Could it simply be the case of pedals (I have clipless Shimano MTB pedals) being "tired" and not the bottom bracket? Where should I look first?
  Reply
#2
(04-01-2021, 08:03 AM)BaBaBiker Wrote:  Hello everyone.

After many winter rides, my 29er MTB began to throw out creaking sounds last week. It's nothing too loud, just a gentle yet annoying creak that happens on every other stroke but not constantly. Could it simply be the case of pedals (I have clipless Shimano MTB pedals) being "tired" and not the bottom bracket? Where should I look first?

I would suspect the BB over the pedals. Swap pedals if you have a spare set, it will help isolate the problem. What type of BB?
Ride Fast, Be Safe!
Howard
  Reply
#3
(04-01-2021, 09:19 PM)Criminal Wrote:  
(04-01-2021, 08:03 AM)BaBaBiker Wrote:  Hello everyone.

After many winter rides, my 29er MTB began to throw out creaking sounds last week. It's nothing too loud, just a gentle yet annoying creak that happens on every other stroke but not constantly. Could it simply be the case of pedals (I have clipless Shimano MTB pedals) being "tired" and not the bottom bracket? Where should I look first?

I would suspect the BB over the pedals. Swap pedals if you have a spare set, it will help isolate the problem. What type of BB?

it's a FSA Catridge bottom bracket. I'll take a photo later today
  Reply
#4
Uncle gave me a car silicone oil spray, intended for doors mostly. I did a couple of sprays here and there around the pedals and crank arm ... aaaand no creaking sounds today.
  Reply
#5
Note that creaking can sometimes come from your seat guts or seat post clamp not being tight enough.

I had this issue on BMX, and I'm currently experiencing another issue like this on my single speed. I suspect that it might be because the seatpost is using a shim. It could be that there's no way to prevent it from creaking if a shim is needed and used.

I haven't been able to factor out the bottom bracket yet, since it was ridden hard, if only a short time now. It's a basic Shimano BB, so it's notorious for this issue. I won't know until I swap it out with the replacement I have. I am not going to do that so soon though.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
R.I.P. Irio Tommasini
Yesterday 11:41 PM
Third best reason to ride a bent or trik...
Yesterday 11:24 AM
Naming a bicycle - Yes or No?
10-08-2024 06:22 PM
Custom built Virtue 7 city/path bicycle
10-08-2024 04:36 PM
Broken Bottom Bracket
10-08-2024 01:43 AM
COLNAGO SUPER (unknown year)
10-07-2024 10:42 PM
SURVEY: Enhancing Bicycle Experience wit...
10-07-2024 12:50 PM
Help finding out my vintage Biachi model
10-07-2024 12:28 PM
Community Discussion Cycling Myths
10-06-2024 01:23 PM
Change comes hard in the cycling communi...
10-06-2024 10:33 AM

[-]
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. GirishH
25 posts
no avatar 2. Jesper
24 posts
no avatar 3. Flowrider
15 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
12 posts
no avatar 5. Painkiller
12 posts