My bike creaks when under load

[Thursday guy]

When I rode on it a while ago, there were audible creaks, particularly when I tried going up an incline or pedaled faster. The creaking seems to be coming from the front chainrings/pedal area of the bike.

I've just turned the bike upside down and spun the pedals with my hands very fast, and there was no creaks. I clicked through the gears, and there were no creaks. I lifted the backwheel, had my mate spin the pedals, and there were no creaks.

I'm really baffled


edit, clarifications:

- not a seatpost issue, just knocked it about, no creaks
- the pedals are normal, not those clip pedals, no I can be sure it's not my shoes or the clips creaking

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Headset/fork BB or seatpost likely. Pick at least 1

 

[Thursday guy]

Headset/fork BB or seatpost likely. Pick at least 1

I'm ruling out seat post, as I've tried knocking it about, no creaks

 

[doog]

Chain ring bolts need tightening.

 

[Sea of vapours]

How sure are you that it's not your shoes/cleats/pedal interface creaking? I had a similar annoying creak when under load up hills and it turned out to be fixed by lubricating the cleats/pedals/base of shoes.

 

[Thursday guy]

How sure are you that it's not your shoes/cleats/pedal interface creaking? I had a similar annoying creak when under load up hills and it turned out to be fixed by lubricating the cleats/pedals/base of shoes.

It's a regular set of pedals. I assume you think it's one of those clip pedals that clip onto the sole of the shoes?

 

[Sea of vapours]

Yep - that's what I meant. You can rule that idea out then ;-)

 

[gbb]

Very rare im sure but upturn the bike again and look very carefully around the BB welds.
Similar creaks were an indication my frame had cracked.

 

[raleighnut]

Knees?

 

[dan_bo]

Welcome to my world.

 

[Crackle]

Knees?

I was just thinking he was lucky it's his bike creaking.

-stem bolts
-headset
-chainring bolts
-pedals
-bb
-mudguards if you've got them
-saddle
-somethings fooked

 

[Louch]

Check your quick releases are properly tightened

 

[summerdays]

Ive spent ages tracking down a problem, I've replaced pedals and lubricated and finally tracked it down to a creaky saddle as it flexes at the back edge!

 

[Thursday guy]

Check your quick releases are properly tightened

There aren't quick releases on the bike. I assume you're referring to quick release wheels?

 

[Thursday guy]

Ive spent ages tracking down a problem, I've replaced pedals and lubricated and finally tracked it down to a creaky saddle as it flexes at the back edge!

not the saddle, as I've tried beating it a bit, no creaks were heard

good point about the lubrication. Come to think of it, I haven't lubricated the chains since I bought the bike months ago. I'll try oiling it up a bit now to see if it works