Creak

[bonker]

Both Giant and my local bike shop have been brilliant about this problem and I am in the process of getting it sorted. It looks like the way to go is a different set of forks not a replacement of the same design.

Thanks Kyuss and everyone else for your help.

Slightly embarrassed as the bike was so cheap to start with and other than the creak I am totally happy with it.

 

[colinr]

Mine's developed this... definitely sounds like it's coming from headset / fork.

The bike is over the standard one year warranty but is it reasonable to expect forks to be lifetime?

 

[Alien8]

Hi Colin,

Oh yes, the classic Bowery fork creak - been there, done that...

It will be covered by Giant's frame/fork warranty which I think is ten years.

It's a problem with the fork/steerer interface. On mine if I removed the fork, held it on the ground, and gently flexed the steerer it was easy to make it creak.

Giant UK arranged for the fork to get replaced (Giant had just opened a shop in Cambridge so that was straightforward) last November - put about 3k-miles in to it since then with no repeat problems so far.

Ask Giant UK what to do else I can PM you the direct e-mail of the Giant contact who helped me.

 

[colinr]

Erm, how do I remove forks? Take off wheel, stem and knock them out from the top?

 

[Alien8]

Erm, how do I remove forks? Take off wheel, stem and knock them out from the top?

You'll have to remove the front brake as well - but basically yes.

The forks might just fall out or need a bit of a tap for encouragement.

Hint: When you remove the bits of the headset that come off when the stem is removed, keep them arranged in the right order, it makes refitting a bit easier.

 

[colinr]

Creak definitely lives somewhere in the fork, but now I can't get it flush when I put it back on. There's about half a mm of play when you lift the front up. Is there a trick to making it fit into place nicely? It's rideable but I like things to be proper.

 

[Alien8]

There's about half a mm of play when you lift the front up.

Do you mean that you can't remove the play by tightening up the top-cap bolt?

Or the fork doesn't look like it's gone back in as far as it should?

Just asking - but are you sure all the headset bits have gone back on in the correct order?

Anyway, which fool suggested you remove the forks?

 

[colinr]

Sorted, the split ring beneath the headset race wasn't set in the tube properly. All fine now, except for the creak.

 

[colinr]

New forks done under warrant. Giant insist the newer batches are fine so wouldn't give me carbons. Anyhow, took three weeks to get all sorted and I've forgotten how to ride fixed – nearly threw myself off when I stopped pedalling for a corner.

 

[rearviewmirror]

I'm glad I found this thread.. I was about ready to throw my Bowery off of a bridge. Mine has had the creaking since day 1 (July 2009), I just put up with it, then eventually just parked the turd and started commuting on a different bike. I started riding it again only to realize why I hated it so much. It's now at my Giant dealer, I sent him quotes from this thread so he doesn't spend too much time trying to "fix" the issue. I want Giant to sort it out, and told them I will not accept the bike if it makes even the slightest noise. Wish me luck!

I'll post the outcome when I hear more...

 

[Alien8]

I got my first Bowery fork replaced November 2009.

About 10-months and 5k-miles later the new fork failed with the same problem.

Giant replaced it (FOC obviously) with a PZ Racing carbon fork so hopefully that will be the end of it.

To be fair to Giant UK, and their Cambridge shop, they've sorted these issues quickly and without grumbling.