BB advice for 2010 Allez

[Cp40Carl]

Grateful for some advice here. I've got a Specialized Allez 2010 compact and noticed creaking sound when on ride this afternoon (thought it might have been my knees at first). Since buying the bike I have replaced cartridge, cables, brakes, etc. and keen to learn all aspects of bike maintenance.

I was thinking of greasing front wheel bearings as noise sounded like it was coming from there. However, is the bottom bracket serviceable on this bike or would it be easier to simply replace it?

I know that I will need a BB removal tool. According to the internet it has a Cromo axle, 68mm x 113mm.

Any help greatly appreciated and apologies for yet another BB thread!

Thank you.

 

[ianrauk]

Check the seat post

 

[Cp40Carl]

Check the seat post

Ok, will do, thanks. Do I just need to ensure it is tight?

 

[mcshroom]

There's a few things that can creak on a bike, and especially with aluminium it's hard to track them down. Beofre spending any money, check that the bolts holding your stem and saddle are tight. Also try riding stood up for a bit, and riding no-handed if you can to see if it's a bar/seat issue. Other places to check are the headset bearings and the crank bolts.

If it is the bottom bracket, I think 2300 chainsets were normal square taper rather than anything weird like octalink. It's worth checking before ordering anything - have a look between the crank and the bottom bracket at the shape of the spindle as it enters the cranks. IF I'm right it will be square.

If it is the bottom bracket then unfortunately it's not servicable, you just buy a new one like this one: -
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-un55-square-taper-bottom-bracket/rp-prod71369

The tools required are
- either a 14mm socket or 8mm hex key for the bolt,
- A crank puller like this one
- A cartridge bottom bracket tool like this
- A an adjustable spanner for both of the above.

Other than it being a bit difficult to get the cups moving if they've been in the bottom bracket shell for years, it's a pretty simple job. Remember to grease the threads thoroughly on the new one as it goes in.

 

[Cp40Carl]

Thanks guys, really appreciate your advice on this. I will report back once I've checked out the options.

Great advice.

 

[ianrauk]

Ok, will do, thanks. Do I just need to ensure it is tight?

Undo the bolts, take out post, give a wipe. Out back in and tighten.
Last year I had a click that I couldn't pinpoint that was driving me mad. Finally got it nailed down to the post.

 

[Tim Hall]

There's a few things that can creak on a bike, and especially with aluminium it's hard to track them down. Beofre spending any money, check that the bolts holding your stem and saddle are tight. Also try riding stood up for a bit, and riding no-handed if you can to see if it's a bar/seat issue. Other places to check are the headset bearings and the crank bolts.

If it is the bottom bracket, I think 2300 chainsets were normal square taper rather than anything weird like octalink. It's worth checking before ordering anything - have a look between the crank and the bottom bracket at the shape of the spindle as it enters the cranks. IF I'm right it will be square.

If it is the bottom bracket then unfortunately it's not servicable, you just buy a new one like this one: -
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-un55-square-taper-bottom-bracket/rp-prod71369

The tools required are
- either a 14mm socket or 8mm hex key for the bolt,
- A crank puller like this one
- A cartridge bottom bracket tool like this
- A an adjustable spanner for both of the above.

Other than it being a bit difficult to get the cups moving if they've been in the bottom bracket shell for years, it's a pretty simple job. Remember to grease the threads thoroughly on the new one as it goes in.

It might be that the BB is just creaking in the threads it screws into on the frame. I've had success in the past by removing the BB, wrapping a bit of PTFE tape on the threads and replacing it.
(In other news, The Boy just scored a UN55 from Halfords for two of your earth pounds. Some kind of scanning/pricing error I understand)

 

[bigjim]

Have you checked your shoes. Especially if clipless. My shoes creak and I thought it was the BB for a while till I changed shoes.

 

[Bonacentral]

I had the 2011 triple that came with 2300 and square taper BB. Hollowtech fits fine.

The creaking, on every bike I have owned and convinced it was coming from the BB was inevitably coming from the saddle and contact points! So frustrating as I always thought it was more serious. Luckily very easily fixed with a bit of elbow grease and WD40

Good vid here
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb5Jr-vXGSs

 

[Cp40Carl]

Well, I did adjust both my saddle and bars recently so I'll have a go at spraying with WD40 (or GT85?) before tightening. Thanks guys, all really helpful posts here, much appreciated.

I'm loving the bike - big step up from the Carrera I used to have.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

You may also want to check the chain ring bolts don't need a tighten. My Tricross was making an awful noise every time I got out of the saddle, I was convinced it was the BB but turned out to be the chain ring bolts.

Re seat post, not sure if I should do it or not, but I also put grease on the post after I've wiped it. Another tip, wrap some electrical tape around the post before you take it out to clean it, that way you know at what level it needs to go back in at.