Possible Problem with wheel bearings...

[Subotai72]

I was recently getting a loud creaking noise from, what I initially thought was, the bottom bracket when 'under load' particularly going up hill. I've had the BB changed at the LBS and it turns out it was full of grit. Newish bike but no big deal as the cost and labour was only £45. Took the bike out on Monday and although it feels better the noise made a couple of appearances but seemed to be coming from behind me: could it be the bearings in the rear wheel perhaps?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Wheel bearings rarely make a noise. It is more likely to be the quick release that's not clamping enough. If it is not a Shimano or Campagnolo QR, be suspicious.

 

[Andy_R]

Creaks and bikes need Scooby-Doo like powers of dtection. In other words, it could be anything, so check everything. Have you checked the saddle is fixed to the seatpost nice and tight? Or the seat post clamp?

 

[User6179]

Just changed my BB after 12000 miles only to find the creak still there , was the pedal spindle which was clicking .
Saddles can creak also especially on hills as your weight shifts further back and your pushing harder .
Wheel bearings tend to make a clicking sound every revolution when something is up .

 

[Sittingduck]

Does it stop creaking when you stand up out of the saddle?

If so would suggest removing the seatpost, cleaning and lightly greasing it.

 

[Subotai72]

You could be on to something with the saddle/seatpost. It didn't seem to make the noise when I was out of the saddle on inclines, I only noticed it when I was sat down. That might explain it appearing to come from behind and below me.

Cheers for the information.

 

[Sittingduck]

Definitely clean and regrase the post then. Probably worth removing the saddle and cleaning the rails too.

 

[Subotai72]

Definitely clean and regrase the post then. Probably worth removing the saddle and cleaning the rails too.

Thanks again. I didn't get chance to check last night but I'll give it a go tonight before I go for a ride. The more I think about it the more I suspect it'll be the seat; I remembered that I altered the seat height just before I went on holiday!

 

[Subotai72]

So I've adjusted the seat, bought & fitted new cleats....and I'm still getting a sodding creak! And to make matters worse it seems to be coming from a different place and only when I'm out of the saddle!

Any more suggestions

 

[robjh]

So I've adjusted the seat, bought & fitted new cleats....and I'm still getting a sodding creak! And to make matters worse it seems to be coming from a different place and only when I'm out of the saddle!

Any more suggestions

On my bike that has generally pointed to headset/handelbar problems. It's clearly not the saddle area, but you are likely to put more or different stress on the handlebars when standing up.
I've found that removing the stem, wiping all surfaces and then re-tightening usually do the trick.

 

[Arjimlad]

The rubber soles of my DHB MTB SPD shoes creak against the pedal outers. Learnt to ignore it..

 

[Subotai72]

On my bike that has generally pointed to headset/handelbar problems. It's clearly not the saddle area, but you are likely to put more or different stress on the handlebars when standing up.
I've found that removing the stem, wiping all surfaces and then re-tightening usually do the trick.

Cheers Rob. I'll give that a go. Trouble is the 'creak' appears to be coming from down and behind me. I was wondering if it was the cranks all along but then wouldn't that resolved itse;f after I had the BB changed? Surely they'd have been tightened up...

 

[Subotai72]

The rubber soles of my DHB MTB SPD shoes creak against the pedal outers. Learnt to ignore it..

I changed my cleats thinking it was them but it's still there!

 

[robjh]

Cheers Rob. I'll give that a go. Trouble is the 'creak' appears to be coming from down and behind me. I was wondering if it was the cranks all along but then wouldn't that resolved itse;f after I had the BB changed? Surely they'd have been tightened up...

You'd hope so but it can't hurt to tighten the bolts again. What about the pedals?
I guess when out of the saddle that would also change the stresses on the pedals+cranks, so it could still be a problem there. But I've found locating the source of some noises when I'm on the bike extraordinarily difficult, it all just sounds like 'down there' somewhere.

 

[Subotai72]

You'd hope so but it can't hurt to tighten the bolts again. What about the pedals?
I guess when out of the saddle that would also change the stresses on the pedals+cranks, so it could still be a problem there. But I've found locating the source of some noises when I'm on the bike extraordinarily difficult, it all just sounds like 'down there' somewhere.

Yeah, it was 'definitely' coming from the BB to start with! A bit annoyed that I had that replaced now, espeically as the LBS seemed to take it on my limited authority that it might be that.

Oh well looks like a weekend of me, my bike and a spanner....